Jeremiah 46:3

“Order ye the buckler and shield, etc.] Both signify one and the same sort of armour, only of a different form, the one being lesser and lighter than the other. Jarchi makes the difference to be, that the former was made of skin, the latter of wood; they were both used to defend the body in war. To order them is not only to prepare them, and get them ready; but to fit them to the body, and to put them on, that they might be in a readiness to engage in battle. The exhortation is made either to the Chaldean army, to prepare to fight against the Egyptians; or to the army of Pharaohnecho, to defend themselves against the king of Babylon, who was coming against them, as Kimchi and Abarbinel, who…”

“Derisive summons to battle. With all your mighty preparation for the invasion of Nebuchadnezzar, when ye come to the encounter, ye shall be "dismayed" (Jer 46:5). Your mighty threats shall end in nothing. buckler--smaller, and carried by the light-armed cavalry. shield--of larger size, and carried by the heavily armed infantry.”

“Order ye ... - “i. e., prepare ye, make ready.” The buckler was a small round target carried by the lightly-armed troops: the shield belonged to the heavily-armed troops, and was large enough to protect the whole body. return to 'Top of Page'”

“46:3-4 Military commands such as these would have been issued when the soldiers were excited, well armed, and ready to fight.”

“This is a poetical and ironical call to the Egyptians to muster their forces; and implies that all their courage and efforts would be vain. Jer 51:11, Jer 51:12; Isa 8:9, Isa 8:10, Isa 21:5; Joe 3:9; Nah 2:1, Nah 3:14 Jeremiah 46:4”

“"Prepare shield and target, and advance to the battle. Jer 46:4. Yoke the horses \[to the chariots\]; mount the steeds, and stand with helmets on; polish the spears, put on the armour. Jer 46:5. Why do I see? they are terrified and turned back, and their heroes are beaten, and flee in flight, and do not turn: terror is round about, saith Jahveh. Jer 46:6. Let not the swift one flee, nor let the hero escape; towards the north, by the side of the river Euphrates, they stumble and fall. Jer 46:7. Who is this that cometh up like the Nile? his waters wave like the rivers. Jer 46:8. Egypt cometh up like the Nile, \[his\] waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, I will cover…”