Jeremiah 46:6
Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 13
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
יָנ֣וּס
flee away
H5127
יָנ֣וּס
flee away
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
2 of 13
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
הַקַּ֔ל
Let not the swift
H7031
הַקַּ֔ל
Let not the swift
Strong's:
H7031
Word #:
3 of 13
light; (by implication) rapid (also adverbial)
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
4 of 13
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
יִמָּלֵ֖ט
escape
H4422
יִמָּלֵ֖ט
escape
Strong's:
H4422
Word #:
5 of 13
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
הַגִּבּ֑וֹר
nor the mighty man
H1368
הַגִּבּ֑וֹר
nor the mighty man
Strong's:
H1368
Word #:
6 of 13
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
צָפ֙וֹנָה֙
toward the north
H6828
צָפ֙וֹנָה֙
toward the north
Strong's:
H6828
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יַ֣ד
by
H3027
יַ֣ד
by
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
9 of 13
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
נְהַר
the river
H5104
נְהַר
the river
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
10 of 13
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
Cross References
Historical Context
The Euphrates River, site of Egypt's imperial ambitions, became their burial ground. Babylon pursued fleeing Egyptians relentlessly, slaughtering them along the retreat route. This decisive defeat ended Egypt's attempt to dominate Syria-Palestine and established Babylonian hegemony, directly affecting Judah's fate as a Babylonian vassal.
Questions for Reflection
- Why do natural advantages (speed, strength) provide no refuge from God's decreed judgments?
- How does the specific location ('by the river Euphrates') emphasize that God controls history geographically and temporally?
- What does Egypt's defeat teach about human imperial ambitions opposed to God's sovereign plan?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape—The negated jussives express divine decree: neither speed (qal, קַל) nor strength (gibbor, גִּבּוֹר) provides escape from God's judgment. This echoes Amos 2:14-15: 'Flight shall perish from the swift...neither shall the mighty deliver himself.' Human advantages become worthless under divine sentence.
They shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates (כָּשְׁלוּ וְנָפְלוּ צָפוֹנָה אֶל־נְהַר־פְּרָת)—The verbs kashlu (stumbled) and naflu (fell) describe complete military defeat at the battle site. Geographic precision ('toward the north...Euphrates') confirms historical fulfillment at Carchemish, transforming the river into Egypt's mass grave.