Jeremiah 46:21
New International Version
The mercenaries in her ranks are like fattened calves. They too will turn and flee together, they will not stand their ground, for the day of disaster is coming upon them, the time for them to be punished.

New Living Translation
Egypt’s mercenaries have become like fattened calves. They, too, will turn and run, for it is a day of great disaster for Egypt, a time of great punishment.

English Standard Version
Even her hired soldiers in her midst are like fattened calves; yes, they have turned and fled together; they did not stand, for the day of their calamity has come upon them, the time of their punishment.

Berean Standard Bible
Even the mercenaries among her are like fattened calves. They too will turn back; together they will flee, they will not stand their ground, for the day of calamity is coming upon them—the time of their punishment.

King James Bible
Also her hired men are in the midst of her like fatted bullocks; for they also are turned back, and are fled away together: they did not stand, because the day of their calamity was come upon them, and the time of their visitation.

New King James Version
Also her mercenaries are in her midst like fat bulls, For they also are turned back, They have fled away together. They did not stand, For the day of their calamity had come upon them, The time of their punishment.

New American Standard Bible
“Also her mercenaries in her midst Are like fattened calves, For they too have turned away and have fled together; They did not stand their ground. For the day of their disaster has come upon them, The time of their punishment.

NASB 1995
“Also her mercenaries in her midst Are like fattened calves, For even they too have turned back and have fled away together; They did not stand their ground. For the day of their calamity has come upon them, The time of their punishment.

NASB 1977
“Also her mercenaries in her midst Are like fattened calves, For even they too have turned back and have fled away together; They did not stand their ground. For the day of their calamity has come upon them, The time of their punishment.

Legacy Standard Bible
Also her mercenaries in her midst Are like fattened calves, For even they have turned back and have fled away together; They did not stand their ground. For the day of their disaster has come upon them, The time of their punishment.

Amplified Bible
“Also her mercenaries in her army Are like fattened calves, For they too have turned back and have fled together; They did not stand [their ground], Because the day of their disaster has come upon them, The time of their punishment.

Christian Standard Bible
Even her mercenaries among her are like stall-fed calves. They too will turn back; together they will flee; they will not take their stand, for the day of their calamity is coming on them, the time of their punishment.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Even her mercenaries among her are like stall-fed calves. They too will turn back; together they will flee; they will not take their stand, for the day of their calamity is coming on them, the time of their punishment.

American Standard Version
Also her hired men in the midst of her are like calves of the stall; for they also are turned back, they are fled away together, they did not stand: for the day of their calamity is come upon them, the time of their visitation.

Contemporary English Version
The foreign soldiers you hired will turn and run. But they are doomed, like well-fed calves being led to the butcher. *

English Revised Version
Also her hired men in the midst of her are like calves of the stall; for they also are turned back, they are fled away together, they did not stand: for the day of their calamity is come upon them, the time of their visitation.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Egypt's hired soldiers are like fattened calves. They will turn and run away together. They won't stand their ground. The day of destruction is coming. At that time they will be punished.

Good News Translation
Even her hired soldiers are helpless as calves. They did not stand and fight; all of them turned and ran. The day of their doom had arrived, the time of their destruction.

International Standard Version
Even the mercenary troops in her ranks are like a fattened calf. They too will turn around, and will flee together. They won't stand, for the day of their disaster is coming on them, the time of their punishment.

Majority Standard Bible
Even the mercenaries among her are like fattened calves. They too will turn back; together they will flee, they will not stand their ground, for the day of calamity is coming upon them?the time of their punishment.

NET Bible
Even her mercenaries will prove to be like pampered, well-fed calves. For they too will turn and run away. They will not stand their ground when the time for them to be destroyed comes, the time for them to be punished.

New Heart English Bible
Also her hired men in the midst of her are like calves of the stall; for they also are turned back, they are fled away together, they did not stand: for the day of their calamity has come on them, the time of their visitation.

Webster's Bible Translation
Also her hired men are in the midst of her like fatted bullocks; for they also have turned back, and have fled away together: they did not stand, because the day of their calamity had come upon them, and the time of their visitation.

World English Bible
Also her hired men in the middle of her are like calves of the stall, for they also are turned back. They have fled away together. They didn’t stand, for the day of their calamity has come on them, the time of their visitation.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Even her hired ones in her midst [are] as calves of the stall, "" For even they have turned, "" They have fled together, they have not stood, "" For the day of their calamity has come on them, "" The time of their inspection.

Young's Literal Translation
Even her hired ones in her midst are as calves of the stall, For even they have turned, They have fled together, they have not stood, For the day of their calamity hath come on them, The time of their inspection.

Smith's Literal Translation
Also her hirelings in the midst of her as calves of the stall; for also they turned, they fled together: they stood not, for the day of their calamity came upon them, the time of their reviewing.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Her hirelings also that lived in the midst of her, like fatted calves are turned back, and are fled away together, and they could not stand, for the day of their slaughter is come upon them, the time of their visitation.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Her hired hands also, who move within her midst, like fatted calves have been turned back, and they have fled at the same time, and they are not able to stand firm. For the day of their passing away has overwhelmed them; it is the time of their visitation.

New American Bible
Even the mercenaries in her ranks are like fattened calves; They too turn and flee together— they do not stand their ground, For their day of ruin comes upon them, their time of punishment.

New Revised Standard Version
Even her mercenaries in her midst are like fatted calves; they too have turned and fled together, they did not stand; for the day of their calamity has come upon them, the time of their punishment.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Also her hired men in the midst of her are like fatted bullocks; for they have turned back and fled together; they did not stand, because the day of their defeat was come upon them and the time of their punishment.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Her hired men within her were as fattened calves, also they turned and fled as one, and they did not stand, because the day of their breaking came upon them, the time of their sentence
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Also her mercenaries in the midst of her Are like calves of the stall, For they also are turned back, they are fled away together, They did not stand; For the day of their calamity is come upon them, The time of their visitation.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Also her hired soldiers in the midst of her are as fatted calves fed in her; for they also have turned, and fled with one accord: they stood not, for the day of destruction was come upon them, and the time of their retribution.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Judgment on Egypt
20Egypt is a beautiful heifer, but a gadfly from the north is coming against her. 21Even the mercenaries among her are like fattened calves. They too will turn back; together they will flee, they will not stand their ground, for the day of calamity is coming upon them— the time of their punishment. 22Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent, for the enemy will advance in force; with axes they will come against her like woodsmen cutting down trees.…

Cross References
Isaiah 19:11-15
The princes of Zoan are mere fools; Pharaoh’s wise counselors give senseless advice. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am one of the wise, a son of eastern kings”? / Where are your wise men now? Let them tell you and reveal what the LORD of Hosts has planned against Egypt. / The princes of Zoan have become fools; the princes of Memphis are deceived. The cornerstones of her tribes have led Egypt astray. ...

Ezekiel 30:1-9
Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Son of man, prophesy and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: Wail, ‘Alas for that day!’ / For the day is near, the Day of the LORD is near. It will be a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. ...

Nahum 3:8-10
Are you better than Thebes, stationed by the Nile with water around her, whose rampart was the sea, whose wall was the water? / Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength; Put and Libya were her allies. / Yet she became an exile; she went into captivity. Her infants were dashed to pieces at the head of every street. They cast lots for her dignitaries, and all her nobles were bound in chains.

Isaiah 31:1-3
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD. / Yet He too is wise and brings disaster; He does not call back His words. He will rise up against the house of the wicked and against the allies of evildoers. / But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together.

Ezekiel 29:6-7
Then all the people of Egypt will know that I am the LORD. For you were only a staff of reeds to the house of Israel. / When Israel took hold of you with their hands, you splintered, tearing all their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you broke, and their backs were wrenched.

Isaiah 20:3-5
Then the LORD said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and omen against Egypt and Cush, / so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame. / Those who made Cush their hope and Egypt their boast will be dismayed and ashamed.

Isaiah 30:1-5
“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. / They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade. / But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace. ...

Ezekiel 30:10-12
This is what the Lord GOD says: I will put an end to the hordes of Egypt by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. / He and his people with him, the most ruthless of the nations, will be brought in to destroy the land. They will draw their swords against Egypt and fill the land with the slain. / I will make the streams dry up and sell the land to the wicked. By the hands of foreigners I will bring desolation upon the land and everything in it. I, the LORD, have spoken.

Isaiah 19:1-4
This is the burden against Egypt: Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud; He is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them. / “So I will incite Egyptian against Egyptian; brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. / Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will frustrate their plans, so that they will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists. ...

Isaiah 31:8-9
“Then Assyria will fall, but not by the sword of man; a sword will devour them, but not one made by mortals. They will flee before the sword, and their young men will be put to forced labor. / Their rock will pass away for fear, and their princes will panic at the sight of the battle standard,” declares the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, whose furnace is in Jerusalem.

Ezekiel 30:18-19
The day will be darkened in Tahpanhes when I break the yoke of Egypt and her proud strength comes to an end. A cloud will cover her, and her daughters will go into captivity. / So I will execute judgment on Egypt, and they will know that I am the LORD.”

Isaiah 19:16-17
In that day the Egyptians will be like women. They will tremble with fear beneath the uplifted hand of the LORD of Hosts, when He brandishes it against them. / The land of Judah will bring terror to Egypt; whenever Judah is mentioned, Egypt will tremble over what the LORD of Hosts has planned against it.

Isaiah 30:7
Egypt’s help is futile and empty; therefore I have called her Rahab Who Sits Still.

Ezekiel 29:19-20
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will carry off its wealth, seize its spoil, and remove its plunder. This will be the wages for his army. / I have given him the land of Egypt as the reward for his labor, because it was done for Me, declares the Lord GOD.

Isaiah 19:3
Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will frustrate their plans, so that they will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists.


Treasury of Scripture

Also her hired men are in the middle of her like fatted bullocks; for they also are turned back, and are fled away together: they did not stand, because the day of their calamity was come on them, and the time of their visitation.

her hired

Jeremiah 46:9,16
Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow…

2 Samuel 10:6
And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.

2 Kings 7:6
For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.

like

Jeremiah 50:11,27
Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls; …

Isaiah 34:7
And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.

Proverbs 15:17
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

Amos 6:4
That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;

they did

Jeremiah 46:5,15,16
Wherefore have I seen them dismayed and turned away back? and their mighty ones are beaten down, and are fled apace, and look not back: for fear was round about, saith the LORD…

the day

Jeremiah 18:17
I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.

Deuteronomy 32:15
But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

Psalm 37:13
The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

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Bullocks Calamity Calves Fatted Fattened Fled Hired Midst Stall Stand Time Together Turned Visitation
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Bullocks Calamity Calves Fatted Fattened Fled Hired Midst Stall Stand Time Together Turned Visitation
Jeremiah 46
1. Jeremiah prophesies the overthrow of Pharaoh's army at Euphrates
13. and the conquest of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar
27. He comforts Jacob in his chastisement














Even the mercenaries in her ranks
The term "mercenaries" refers to hired soldiers, often foreign, who fight for pay rather than loyalty to a nation or cause. In the context of ancient Egypt, these mercenaries were likely from neighboring regions, reflecting Egypt's reliance on external forces for military strength. Historically, Egypt employed various foreign troops, including Libyans, Nubians, and others, to bolster their armies. This reliance on mercenaries highlights a lack of internal unity and strength, suggesting a nation that is vulnerable and dependent on external support. Spiritually, this can be seen as a metaphor for relying on worldly solutions rather than divine guidance.

are like fattened calves
The imagery of "fattened calves" suggests a state of complacency and indulgence. In ancient agricultural societies, fattened calves were prepared for slaughter, symbolizing impending doom. This metaphor indicates that the mercenaries, despite their strength and preparation, are ultimately destined for defeat. Theologically, this can be interpreted as a warning against spiritual complacency and the dangers of being unprepared for divine judgment.

they too will turn and flee together
The phrase "turn and flee" signifies a complete breakdown of courage and resolve. Despite their training and numbers, the mercenaries will abandon their posts in the face of overwhelming disaster. Historically, this reflects the chaotic nature of battle and the psychological impact of fear. From a spiritual perspective, it serves as a reminder that human strength and alliances are futile without God's protection and guidance.

They will not stand their ground
"Stand their ground" implies a failure to maintain one's position or defend against an adversary. This phrase underscores the inevitability of Egypt's defeat, as even their hired soldiers cannot withstand the coming judgment. In a broader spiritual context, it emphasizes the importance of standing firm in faith and righteousness, as only those rooted in God's truth can withstand trials and tribulations.

for the day of disaster is upon them
The "day of disaster" refers to a specific time of divine judgment and calamity. In the prophetic literature of the Bible, such days are often depicted as moments when God's justice is executed against nations or individuals. Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled when Egypt faced military defeat. Spiritually, it serves as a sobering reminder of the certainty of God's judgment and the need for repentance and alignment with His will.

the time of their punishment
"Time of their punishment" indicates a predetermined period when consequences for actions are meted out. This phrase reflects the biblical principle of sowing and reaping, where nations and individuals face repercussions for their sins. In the context of Jeremiah's prophecy, it underscores the inevitability of divine justice. For believers, it is a call to live righteously and seek God's mercy, knowing that He is both just and compassionate.

(21) Her hired men are in the midst of her like fatted bullocks.--Literally, bullocks of the stall. The prophet harps, as it were, on the same image. The mercenaries--Ionians, Carians, and others--in the army of Pharaoh-Hophra, who had their camp at Bubastis (Herod. ii. 152, 163), should be like a drove of terrified cattle, fed to the full, driven to the slaughter-house.

Verse 21. - Also her hired men are in the midst of her, etc.; rather, also her hirelings in the midst of her are like, etc. These seem to be distinguished from the mercenaries mentioned in ver. 9, the Ethiopians, Libyans, and Arabs, who were never adopted into the midst of the Egyptian people. On the other hand, the description will exactly apply to the Caftans and Ionians in the service of Psammetichus and Apries (Herod., 2:152, 163), who were "for many years" settled "a little below the city of Bubastis, on the Pelusiac mouth of the Nile." In this fertile country, itself comparable to "a very fair heifer" (ver. 20), these pampered and privileged mercenaries became "like calves of the stall." They did not stand, etc.; rather, they have not stood (firm), for the day of their destruction is come upon them.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Even
גַּם־ (gam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

the mercenaries
שְׂכִרֶ֤יהָ (śə·ḵi·re·hā)
Adjective - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7916: A man at wages

among her
בְקִרְבָּהּ֙ (ḇə·qir·bāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

are like fattened
מַרְבֵּ֔ק (mar·bêq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4770: A stall

calves.
כְּעֶגְלֵ֣י (kə·‘eḡ·lê)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5695: A, calf, one nearly grown

They
הֵ֧מָּה (hêm·māh)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

too
גַם־ (ḡam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

will turn back;
הִפְנ֛וּ (hip̄·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6437: To turn, to face, appear, look

together
יַחְדָּ֖יו (yaḥ·dāw)
Adverb
Strong's 3162: A unit, unitedly

they will flee;
נָ֥סוּ (nā·sū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

they will not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

stand their ground,
עָמָ֑דוּ (‘ā·mā·ḏū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the day
י֥וֹם (yō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of their calamity
אֵידָ֛ם (’ê·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 343: Oppression, misfortune, ruin

is coming
בָּ֥א (bā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

upon them—
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the time
עֵ֥ת (‘êṯ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 6256: Time, now, when

of their punishment.
פְּקֻדָּתָֽם׃ (pə·qud·dā·ṯām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6486: Oversight, mustering, visitation, store


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 46:21 Also her hired men in the midst (Jer.)
Jeremiah 46:20
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