Jeremiah 46:5

“Wherefore have I seen them dismayed [and] turned away back? etc.] The Egyptians, after all this preparation for war, and seeming ardent to engage in battle; and yet, when they came to it, were seized with a panic, and thrown into the utmost consternation, and turned their backs upon their enemy: these are either the words of the prophet, who had a view by a spirit of prophecy, of the consternation, confusion, and flight of the Egyptian army; or of the Lord, who foresaw all this, and represents it as if it was done because of the certainty of it; upbraiding the Egyptians with their pusillanimity and cowardice: and their mighty ones are beaten down, and are fled apace, and look not back; or,…”

“(See on Jer 46:3). The language of astonishment, that an army so well equipped should be driven back in "dismay." The prophet sees this in prophetic vision. fled apace--literally, "fled a flight," that is, flee precipitately. look not back--They do not even dare to look back at their pursuers.”

“Literally, “Why have I seen? They are terror-stricken! they are giving way back!” The Egyptian host feels that the battle is lost, and overborne by the enemy loses heart, and in despair, yet not without a struggle, gives way. It is remarkable, that while Jeremiah in his warning addressed to Jerusalem uses the most simple and unadorned prose, his language concerning the Gentile nations is, on the contrary, full of brilliant poetry. Look not back - turn not back. They make no halt, and no attempt to rally. Fear was round about - The prophets watch-word, Magor-missabib (see Jeremiah 6:25). return to 'Top of Page'”

“and their: Rev 6:15 beaten down: Heb. broken in pieces fled apace: Heb. fled a flight, Jer 46:15; Gen 19:17; Kg2 7:6, Kg2 7:7; Nah 2:8 fear: Jer 6:25, Jer 20:3, Jer 20:4 \*marg. Jer 46:10, Jer 49:29; Isa 19:16; Eze 32:10; Rev 6:15-17 Jeremiah 46:6”

“Thus well arrayed, the host advances to the fight; but suddenly the seer perceives the magnificent army terror-stricken, retreating, and breaking out into a disorderly flight. The question, "Why (wherefore) do I see?" points to the unexpected and incomprehensible turn in the progress of events. המּה חתּים is not an accus. dependent on ראיתי, but an independent clause: "What do I see? They are terror-stricken" (חתּים, terrified, broken-spirited through terror). יכּתּוּ, Hoph. from כּתת, to be broken, here and in Job 4:20 applied to persons. מנוס is added to the verb instead of the inf. abs., to give emphasis to the idea contained in the word; cf. Ewald, 281, a. מגור מסּביב .a , "horror,…”