Jeremiah 49:35

“Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I will break the bow of Elam, etc.] The inhabitants of this country were famous for their skill in archery; (see Gill on “<232206>Isaiah 22:6”); this the Lord threatens to break, so that it, should be useless, and of no more service to them to defend themselves, or annoy others. Their strength, as the Targum; that in which their great strength and security lay; in which they put their trust and confidence, as follows: the chief of their might; which may be interpreted, by way of apposition, of their bow, the chief instrument of their might and power; or may design their mighty men, the archers themselves, who should be destroyed, even Elam itself, and all the…”

“bow--Elam was famed for its bowmen (Isa 22:6). chief of their might--in opposition to "bow," that is, bowmen, who constituted their main strength.”

“The bow was the national weapon of Elam, and therefore the “chief of their might,” that on which their strength in war depended. return to 'Top of Page'”

“49:35 The Elamite warriors were expert archers, but their skills could not save Elam.”

“break: Jer 50:14, Jer 50:29, Jer 51:56; Psa 46:9; Isa 22:6 the bow: Strabo says that the mountainous part of Elymais chiefly bred archers; and Livy speaks of Elymei sagittarii "the Elymean archers. Jeremiah 49:36”