BibleWord.ai› Bible› Jeremiah› Chapter 6› Verse 23

Jeremiah 6:23

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 6:23 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 Zion.” 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 Zion.
Jeremiah 6:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20To what purpose cometh there to me frankincense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt-offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing unto me.
21Therefore thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will lay stumbling-blocks before this people; and the fathers and the sons together shall stumble against them; the neighbor and his friend shall perish.
22Thus saith Jehovah, Behold, a people cometh from the north country; and a great nation shall be stirred up from the uttermost parts of the earth.
23They 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 Zion.
24We have heard the report thereof; our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, [and] pangs as of a woman in travail.
25Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy, [and] terror, are on every side.
26O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation; for the destroyer shall suddenly come upon us.
← Jeremiah 6:22Jeremiah 6:24 →
← Full Chapter 6 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 lay hold on bow and spear, etc.] That is, everyone of them should be furnished with both these pieces of armour, that they might be able to fight near and afar off; they had bows to shoot arrows at a distance, and spears to strike with when near. The Targum renders it bows and shields. “They are cruel, and have no mercy”; this is said, to strike terror into the hearts of the hardened Jews: their voice roareth like the sea; the waves of it, which is terrible, (<422125>Luke 21:25,26): and they ride upon horses; which still made them more formidable, as well as suggests that their march would be quick and speedy, and they would soon be with them: set in array as men for war; prepared…”
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
“like the sea-- (Isa 5:30). as men for war--not that they were like warriors, for they were warriors; but "arrayed most perfectly as warriors" [MAURER].”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Spear - Properly, a javelin for hurling at the enemy (see 1 Samuel 17:6 note): an ordinary weapon of the Babylonians. Cruel - ruthless, inhuman. In the Assyrian monuments warriors put the vanquished to death; rows of impaled victims hang round the walls of the besieged towns; and men collect in heaps hands cut from the vanquished. Horses, set in array - A full stop should be put after horses. It - the whole army, and not the cavalry only - is “set in array.” As men for war against thee - Rather, as a warrior for battle “against thee.” 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
“They shall: Jer 5:16, Jer 50:42; Isa 13:18; Eze 23:22-25; Hab 1:6-10 cruel: Jer 30:14; Isa 13:18, Isa 19:4 their: Jer 4:13; Isa 5:26-30; Luk 21:25, Luk 21:26 Jeremiah 6:24”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 6 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification