BibleWord.ai› Bible› Jeremiah› Chapter 50› Verse 42

Jeremiah 50:42

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 50:42 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, every one set in array, as a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, every one set in array, as a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.
Jeremiah 50:42 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 50

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
39Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wolves shall dwell there, and the ostriches shall dwell therein: and it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation.
40As when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbor cities thereof, saith Jehovah, so shall no man dwell there, neither shall any son of man sojourn therein.
41Behold, a people cometh from the north; and a great nation and many kings shall be stirred up from the uttermost parts of the earth.
42They lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, every one set in array, as a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.
43The king of Babylon hath heard the tidings of them, and his hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of him, [and] pangs as of a woman in travail.
44Behold, [the enemy] shall come up like a lion from the pride of the Jordan against the strong habitation: for I will suddenly make them run away from it; and whoso is chosen, him will I appoint over it: for who is like me? and who will appoint me a time? and who is the shepherd that can stand before me?
45Therefore hear ye the counsel of Jehovah, that he hath taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely they shall drag them away, [even] the little ones of the flock; surely he shall make their habitation desolate over them.
← Jeremiah 50:41Jeremiah 50:43 →
← Full Chapter 50 Jeremiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“They shall hold the bow and the lance, etc.] Or “spear”. The Targum interprets it, “shields”; as many in Cyrus’s army hadf1004; the one an offensive, the other a defensive weapon; or, if bow and lance, the one is used at a distance, the other when near. The Medes and Persians were well skilled in handling the bow, as once and again observed: this very properly describes the armour of the Persians; which were, as Herodotusf1005 says, large bows and short spears; and Xenophonf1006 observes, that, besides bows and arrows, they had two javelins or lances, one of which they cast, and the other they held and used in their hands, as they found necessary; and so Cyrusf1007, in a speech of his, says…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“cruel--the character of the Persians, and even of Cyrus, notwithstanding his wish to be thought magnanimous (Isa 13:18). like a man--So orderly and united is their "array," that the whole army moves to battle as one man [GROTIUS].”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“An application to Babylon of the doom against Jerusalem Jeremiah 6:22-24. Jeremiah 50:41 The coasts of the earth - See the Jeremiah 6:22 note. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“hold: Jer 6:22, Jer 6:23 they are cruel: Psa 74:20, Psa 137:8, Psa 137:9; Isa 13:17, Isa 13:18, Isa 14:6, Isa 47:6; Hab 1:6-8; Jam 2:13; Rev 16:6 their voice: Psa 46:2, Psa 46:3, Psa 46:6; Isa 5:30 shall ride: Jer 8:16, Jer 47:3; Isa 5:28; Hab 1:8; Rev 19:14-18 Jeremiah 50:43”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 50 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification