Jeremiah 50:42
They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.
Original Language Analysis
קֶ֣שֶׁת
the bow
H7198
קֶ֣שֶׁת
the bow
Strong's:
H7198
Word #:
1 of 19
a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
וְכִידֹ֞ן
and the lance
H3591
וְכִידֹ֞ן
and the lance
Strong's:
H3591
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, something to strike with, i.e., a dart
יַחֲזִ֗יקוּ
They shall hold
H2388
יַחֲזִ֗יקוּ
They shall hold
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
3 of 19
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְרַחֵ֔מוּ
and will not shew mercy
H7355
יְרַחֵ֔מוּ
and will not shew mercy
Strong's:
H7355
Word #:
7 of 19
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
כַּיָּ֣ם
like the sea
H3220
כַּיָּ֣ם
like the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
9 of 19
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
יֶהֱמֶ֔ה
shall roar
H1993
יֶהֱמֶ֔ה
shall roar
Strong's:
H1993
Word #:
10 of 19
to make a loud sound (like english 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יִרְכָּ֑בוּ
and they shall ride
H7392
יִרְכָּ֑בוּ
and they shall ride
Strong's:
H7392
Word #:
13 of 19
to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch
עָר֗וּךְ
every one put in array
H6186
עָר֗וּךְ
every one put in array
Strong's:
H6186
Word #:
14 of 19
to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)
כְּאִישׁ֙
like a man
H376
כְּאִישׁ֙
like a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
15 of 19
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה
to the battle
H4421
לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה
to the battle
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
16 of 19
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
עָלַ֖יִךְ
H5921
עָלַ֖יִךְ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
17 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Isaiah 5:30And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.Isaiah 47:6I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.Jeremiah 8:16The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein.Jeremiah 47:3At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;
Historical Context
Persian military organization under Cyrus was sophisticated: the 'Immortals' (elite 10,000), cavalry units, siege engineers. Their discipline and tactics overwhelmed Babylonian defenses. The relatively bloodless conquest (Babylon's gates opened to Cyrus) fulfilled 'no mercy' spiritually while Cyrus showed physical restraint—divine irony.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's use of 'cruel' conquerors against Babylon demonstrate measure-for-measure justice?
- What does the 'voice like the sea' metaphor communicate about the overwhelming nature of divine judgment?
- In what ways can conquerors be 'cruel' in executing judgment while still being more merciful than those they judge?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They shall hold the bow and the lance (קֶשֶׁת וְכִידוֹן יַחֲזִיקוּ, qeshet v'khidon yachaziqu)—Persian warriors' weapons are specified: composite bow (Persian archers were legendary) and javelin. These were Persia's signature armaments, distinct from Babylonian equipment. They are cruel, and will not shew mercy (אַכְזָרִי הֵמָּה וְלֹא יְרַחֵמוּ, akhzari hemmah v'lo y'rachemu)—The conquerors will be merciless, giving Babylon a taste of their own brutality. Yet historically, Cyrus was relatively humane—the Cyrus Cylinder boasts of his leniency. This apparent contradiction resolves when we see 'cruelty' as righteous severity toward evil; from Babylon's perspective, any judgment feels cruel.
Their voice shall roar like the sea (קוֹלָם כַּיָּם יֶהֱמֶה, qolam kayyam yehemeh)—The attacking army's war cry is deafening, overwhelming. And they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle—disciplined military formation, not chaotic mob. Persia's organized warfare contrasts with Babylon's coming disarray. The hunter becomes hunted; the terrorizer, terrorized.