Jeremiah 46:5
Wherefore have I seen them dismayed and turned away back? and their mighty ones are beaten down, and are fled apace, and look not back: for fear was round about, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
מַדּ֣וּעַ
H4069
מַדּ֣וּעַ
Strong's:
H4069
Word #:
1 of 16
what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?
רָאִ֗יתִי
Wherefore have I seen
H7200
רָאִ֗יתִי
Wherefore have I seen
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
2 of 16
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
חַתִּים֮
them dismayed
H2844
חַתִּים֮
them dismayed
Strong's:
H2844
Word #:
4 of 16
concretely, crushed; also afraid; abstractly, terror
נְסֹגִ֣ים
and turned
H5472
נְסֹגִ֣ים
and turned
Strong's:
H5472
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, to flinch, i.e., (by implication) to go back, literally (to retreat) or figuratively (to apostatize)
אָחוֹר֒
away back
H268
אָחוֹר֒
away back
Strong's:
H268
Word #:
6 of 16
the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the west
וְגִבּוֹרֵיהֶ֣ם
and their mighty ones
H1368
וְגִבּוֹרֵיהֶ֣ם
and their mighty ones
Strong's:
H1368
Word #:
7 of 16
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
וּמָנ֥וֹס
apace
H4498
וּמָנ֥וֹס
apace
Strong's:
H4498
Word #:
9 of 16
a retreat (literally or figuratively); abstractly, a fleeing
נָ֖סוּ
and are fled
H5127
נָ֖סוּ
and are fled
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
10 of 16
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הִפְנ֑וּ
and look not back
H6437
הִפְנ֑וּ
and look not back
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
12 of 16
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
Cross References
Jeremiah 6:25Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy and fear is on every side.Jeremiah 49:29Their tents and their flocks shall they take away: they shall take to themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, and their camels; and they shall cry unto them, Fear is on every side.Jeremiah 46:21Also her hired men are in the midst of her like fatted bullocks; for they also are turned back, and are fled away together: they did not stand, because the day of their calamity was come upon them, and the time of their visitation.
Historical Context
Ancient battle accounts rarely describe such comprehensive panic among elite forces. The Babylonian Chronicles confirm Egypt's catastrophic defeat at Carchemish, stating Nebuchadnezzar 'accomplished their overthrow and beat them until they ceased to exist.' Divine terror caused military collapse beyond natural battlefield dynamics.
Questions for Reflection
- What causes elite warriors to flee without fighting when God sends supernatural fear?
- How does 'terror on every side' demonstrate judgment extending beyond physical defeat to psychological collapse?
- Why is God's declaration ('saith the LORD') crucial for understanding this as divine judgment, not mere military misfortune?
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Analysis & Commentary
Wherefore have I seen them dismayed (מַדּוּעַ רָאִיתִי הֵמָּה חַתִּים)—The interrogative maddua expresses shocked surprise: 'Why do I see...?' The adjective hattim (חַתִּים) means 'terrified' or 'shattered.' After v. 3-4's confident preparation, the sudden reversal is stunning. Turned away back (נְסֹגִים אָחוֹר) describes chaotic retreat—disciplined forces dissolving into panicked flight.
Their mighty ones are beaten down (gibboreihem, גִּבּוֹרֵיהֶם)—Egypt's elite warriors, the gibborim, flee without fighting. Fear was round about, saith the LORD (מָגוֹר מִסָּבִיב נְאֻם־יְהוָה)—The phrase magor missaviv ('terror on every side') is Jeremiah's signature expression (6:25, 20:3, 10), signifying God-sent panic that breaks military discipline.