Jeremiah 49:35
New International Version
This is what the LORD Almighty says: “See, I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might.

New Living Translation
This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: “I will destroy the archers of Elam— the best of their forces.

English Standard Version
Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might.

Berean Standard Bible
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold, I will shatter Elam’s bow, the mainstay of their might.

King James Bible
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.

New King James Version
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, The foremost of their might.

New American Standard Bible
“This is what the LORD of armies says: ‘Behold, I am going to break the bow of Elam, The finest of their might.

NASB 1995
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Behold, I am going to break the bow of Elam, The finest of their might.

NASB 1977
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Behold, I am going to break the bow of Elam, The finest of their might.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘Behold, I am going to break the bow of Elam, The finest of their might.

Amplified Bible
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Behold (listen carefully), I am going to break the bow of Elam, The finest [weapon] of their strength.

Christian Standard Bible
This is what the LORD of Armies says: I am about to shatter Elam’s bow, the source of their might.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: I am about to shatter Elam’s bow, the source of their might.

American Standard Version
Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.

English Revised Version
Thus saith the LORD of hosts: Behold, I will break the bow of Elam; the chief of their might.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what the LORD of Armies says: I'm going to break the bows of Elam's archers, the most important weapon of their strength.

Good News Translation
He said, "I will kill all the archers who have made Elam so powerful.

International Standard Version
This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: "Look, I'm going to break the bow of Elam, the finest of their troops.

Majority Standard Bible
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold, I will shatter Elam’s bow, the mainstay of their might.

NET Bible
The LORD who rules over all said, "I will kill all the archers of Elam, who are the chief source of her military might.

New Heart English Bible
"Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Look, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.

World English Bible
“Yahweh of Armies says: ‘Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Thus said YHWH of Hosts: Behold, I am breaking the bow of Elam, "" The beginning of their might.

Young's Literal Translation
'Thus said Jehovah of Hosts: Lo, I am breaking the bow of Elam, The beginning of their might.

Smith's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah of armies, Behold me breaking the bow of Elam the beginning of their strength.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thus saith the Lord of hosts: Behold I will break the bow of Elam, and their chief strength.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, and the summit of their strength.

New American Bible
Thus says the LORD of hosts: Look! I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might.

New Revised Standard Version
Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am going to break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thus says the LORD of hosts: Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Thus says LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts: “Behold, I break the bow of Eilam, the Chief of their might
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thus saith the LORD of hosts: Behold, I will break the bow of Elam The chief of their might.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thus saith the Lord, The bow of Aelam is broken, even the chief of their power.
Audio Bible



Context
The Judgment on Elam
34This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah. 35This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold, I will shatter Elam’s bow, the mainstay of their might. 36I will bring the four winds against Elam from the four corners of the heavens, and I will scatter them to all these winds. There will not be a nation to which Elam’s exiles will not go.…

Cross References
Isaiah 22:6
Elam takes up a quiver, with chariots and horsemen, and Kir uncovers the shield.

Ezekiel 21:26-27
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Remove the turban, and take off the crown. Things will not remain as they are: Exalt the lowly and bring low the exalted. / A ruin, a ruin, I will make it a ruin! And it will not be restored until the arrival of Him to whom it belongs, to whom I have assigned the right of judgment.’

Isaiah 13:17-18
Behold, I will stir up against them the Medes, who have no regard for silver and no desire for gold. / Their bows will dash young men to pieces; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; they will not look with pity on the children.

2 Kings 24:1-2
During Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded. So Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years, until he turned and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar. / And the LORD sent Chaldean, Aramean, Moabite, and Ammonite raiders against Jehoiakim in order to destroy Judah, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through His servants the prophets.

Isaiah 41:25
I have raised up one from the north, and he has come—one from the east who calls on My name. He will march over rulers as if they were mortar, like a potter who treads the clay.

Isaiah 45:1-2
This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut: / “I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.

Ezekiel 25:14
I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’

Isaiah 21:2
A dire vision is declared to me: “The traitor still betrays, and the destroyer still destroys. Go up, O Elam! Lay siege, O Media! I will put an end to all her groaning.”

Isaiah 46:11
I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.

2 Kings 24:10-16
At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched up to Jerusalem, and the city came under siege. / And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city while his servants were besieging it. / Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his servants, his commanders, and his officials all surrendered to the king of Babylon. So in the eighth year of his reign, the king of Babylon took him captive. ...

Isaiah 13:5
They are coming from faraway lands, from the ends of the heavens—the LORD and the weapons of His wrath—to destroy the whole country.

Isaiah 14:31
Wail, O gate! Cry out, O city! Melt away, all you Philistines! For a cloud of smoke comes from the north, and there are no stragglers in its ranks.

Isaiah 21:9
Look, here come the riders, horsemen in pairs.” And one answered, saying: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon! All the images of her gods lie shattered on the ground!”

Isaiah 13:17
Behold, I will stir up against them the Medes, who have no regard for silver and no desire for gold.

Isaiah 44:28
who says of Cyrus, ‘My shepherd will fulfill all that I desire,’ who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundation be laid.’”


Treasury of Scripture

Thus said the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.

break

Jeremiah 50:14,29
Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD…

Jeremiah 51:56
Because the spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite.

Psalm 46:9
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

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Almighty Armies Beginning Bow Break Breaking Broken Chief Elam Finest Hosts Strength
Jeremiah 49
1. The judgment of the Ammonites
6. Their restoration
7. The judgment of Edom
23. of Damascus
28. of Kedar
30. of Hazor
34. and of Elam
39. The restoration of Elam














This is what the LORD of Hosts says
The phrase "LORD of Hosts" is a powerful title for God, emphasizing His supreme command over the armies of heaven and earth. In Hebrew, "LORD" is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, and "Hosts" is "Tsebaoth," referring to multitudes or armies. This title underscores God's sovereignty and His ability to execute judgment and deliverance. It reminds us that God is not only a personal deity but also a mighty warrior who orchestrates the affairs of nations.

Behold
The word "Behold" is an imperative that calls for attention. In Hebrew, it is "hinneh," which serves to alert the listener to something significant and often unexpected. It is a divine summons to pay close attention to the forthcoming declaration, indicating that what follows is of great importance and demands careful consideration.

I will shatter
The verb "shatter" in Hebrew is "shabar," which means to break or destroy. This conveys a sense of complete and decisive action. God's intention to "shatter" signifies not just a temporary setback for Elam but a thorough dismantling of their power. It reflects God's ability to dismantle human strength and pride, reminding us of His ultimate authority over all creation.

Elam’s bow
Elam was an ancient kingdom located in what is now southwestern Iran. The "bow" symbolizes military strength and prowess, as archery was a primary means of warfare in ancient times. By targeting Elam's bow, God is addressing the core of their military might. Historically, Elam was known for its skilled archers, making this pronouncement particularly poignant. It serves as a reminder that no earthly power can stand against the will of God.

the mainstay of their might
The term "mainstay" refers to something that is central or foundational. In Hebrew, the word can be understood as "reshith," meaning the chief or principal part. The "might" of Elam is their military capability, and the bow is the principal element of that strength. By declaring His intention to shatter this mainstay, God is asserting His power to undermine the very foundation of Elam's confidence and security. This highlights the futility of relying on human strength and the necessity of trusting in God's sovereignty.

(35) I will break the bow of Elam.--As in Isaiah 22:6; Herod. vii. 61, Elam was conspicuous for its archers. We are reminded of the account which Herodotus gives (ii. 136) of the three things taught to the youth of Persia--to ride, to draw the bow, and to speak the truth. This weapon was "the chief of their might."

Verse 35. - The bow of Elam. So Isaiah in prophetic vision, "And Elam bare the quiver" (Isaiah 22:6).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This is what
כֹּ֤ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

of Hosts
צְבָא֔וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

says:
אָמַר֙ (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Behold,
הִנְנִ֥י (hin·nî)
Interjection | first person common singular
Strong's 2005: Lo! behold!

I will shatter
שֹׁבֵ֖ר (šō·ḇêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7665: To break, break in pieces

Elam’s
עֵילָ֑ם (‘ê·lām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5867: Elam -- a son of Shem, also his descendants and their country

bow,
קֶ֣שֶׁת (qe·šeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7198: A bow, for, shooting, the iris

the mainstay
רֵאשִׁ֖ית (rê·šîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7225: The first, in place, time, order, rank

of their might.
גְּבוּרָתָֽם׃ (gə·ḇū·rā·ṯām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1369: Force, valor, victory


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 49:35 Thus says Yahweh of Armies: Behold (Jer.)
Jeremiah 49:34
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