Jeremiah 50:42
New International Version
They are armed with bows and spears; they are cruel and without mercy. They sound like the roaring sea as they ride on their horses; they come like men in battle formation to attack you, Daughter Babylon.

New Living Translation
They are armed with bows and spears. They are cruel and show no mercy. As they ride forward on horses, they sound like a roaring sea. They are coming in battle formation, planning to destroy you, Babylon.

English Standard Version
They lay hold of bow and spear; they are cruel and have no mercy. The sound of them is like the roaring of the sea; they ride on horses, arrayed as a man for battle against you, O daughter of Babylon!

Berean Standard Bible
They grasp the bow and spear; they are cruel and merciless. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride upon horses, lined up like men in formation against you, O Daughter of Babylon.

King James Bible
They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.

New King James Version
They shall hold the bow and the lance; They are cruel and shall not show mercy. Their voice shall roar like the sea; They shall ride on horses, Set in array, like a man for the battle, Against you, O daughter of Babylon.

New American Standard Bible
“They seize their bow and javelin; They are cruel and have no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea; And they ride on horses, Drawn up like a man for the battle Against you, daughter of Babylon.

NASB 1995
“They seize their bow and javelin; They are cruel and have no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea; And they ride on horses, Marshalled like a man for the battle Against you, O daughter of Babylon.

NASB 1977
“They seize their bow and javelin; They are cruel and have no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea, And they ride on horses, Marshalled like a man for the battle Against you, O daughter of Babylon.

Legacy Standard Bible
They seize their bow and javelin; They are cruel and have no compassion. Their voice roars like the sea; And they ride on horses, Arranged like a man for the battle Against you, O daughter of Babylon.

Amplified Bible
“They seize their bow and spear; They are cruel and have no compassion. They sound like the roaring of the sea; They ride on horses, Every man equipped like a man [ready] for the battle Against you, O Daughter of Babylon.

Christian Standard Bible
They grasp bow and javelin. They are cruel and show no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride on horses, lined up like men in battle formation against you, Daughter Babylon.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They grasp bow and javelin. They are cruel and show no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride on horses, lined up like men in battle formation against you, Daughter Babylon.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Bows and arrows and swords are in their hands. The soldiers are cruel and show no pity. The hoofbeats of their horses echo like ocean waves crashing against the shore. The army has lined up for battle and is coming to attack you, people of Babylonia!

English Revised Version
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 man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They will take hold of bows and spears. They will be cruel and have no compassion. They will sound like the sea when it roars. They will ride horses. They are ready for war, ready to attack you, people of Babylon.

Good News Translation
They have taken their bows and swords; they are cruel and merciless. They sound like the roaring sea, as they ride their horses. They are ready for battle against Babylonia.

International Standard Version
They grab bow and spear. They're cruel and show no mercy. Their sound roars like the sea, as they ride on horses deployed like men ready for battle against you, daughter of Babylon.

Majority Standard Bible
They grasp the bow and spear; they are cruel and merciless. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride upon horses, lined up like men in formation against you, O Daughter of Babylon.

NET Bible
Its soldiers are armed with bows and spears. They are cruel and show no mercy. They sound like the roaring sea as they ride forth on their horses. Lined up in formation like men going into battle, they are coming against you, fair Babylon!

New Heart English Bible
They lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roars like the sea; and they ride on horses, everyone set in array, as a man to the battle, against you, daughter of Babylon.

Webster's Bible Translation
They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not show mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.

World English Bible
They take up bow and spear. They are cruel, and have no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea. They ride on horses, everyone set in array, as a man to the battle, against you, daughter of Babylon.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
They seize bow and javelin, "" They [are] cruel, and they have no mercy, "" Their voice sounds as a sea, and they ride on horses, "" Set in array as a man for battle, "" Against you, O daughter of Babylon.

Young's Literal Translation
Bow and halbert they seize, Cruel are they, and they have no mercy, Their voice as a sea soundeth, and on horses they ride, Set in array as a man for battle, Against thee, O daughter of Babylon.

Smith's Literal Translation
They shall hold the bow and the javelin: they are fierce, and they will not pity: their voice shall sound as the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, being arranged as a man for war, against thee, O daughter of Babel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They shall take the bow and the shield: they are cruel and unmerciful: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses: like a man prepared for battle against thee, O daughter of Babylon.

Catholic Public Domain Version
They will take up the bow and the shield. They are cruel and merciless. Their voice will sound out, like the sea, and they will ride upon horses, like a man prepared for battle against you, O daughter of Babylon.

New American Bible
Bow and javelin they wield, cruel and pitiless are they; They sound like the roaring sea, as they ride forth on horses, Each in place for battle against you, daughter Babylon.

New Revised Standard Version
They wield bow and spear, they are cruel and have no mercy. The sound of them is like the roaring sea; they ride upon horses, set in array as a warrior for battle, against you, O daughter Babylon!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They are armed with bows and lances; they are cruel and have no mercy; their voices are like the roaring of the sea, and they ride upon horses, arrayed as mighty men to the battle against you, O daughter of Babylon.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
With bows and with spears they are equipped. They are evil and are unmerciful; their voice is like the sea that roars, and they ride upon horses, and they are prepared like fire for battle against you, daughter of Babel
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
They lay hold on bow and spear, They are cruel, and have no compassion; Their voice is like the roaring sea, And they ride upon horses; Set in array, as a man for war, Against thee, O daughter of Babylon.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
the people is fierce, and will have no mercy: their voices shall sound as the sea, they shall ride upon horses, prepared for war, like fire, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.
Audio Bible



Context
The Destruction of Babylon
41Behold, an army is coming from the north; a great nation and many kings are stirred up from the ends of the earth. 42They grasp the bow and spear; they are cruel and merciless. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride upon horses, lined up like men in formation against you, O Daughter of Babylon. 43The king of Babylon has heard the report, and his hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped him, pain like that of a woman in labor.…

Cross References
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.

Ezekiel 38:4
I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and bring you out with all your army—your horses, your horsemen in full armor, and a great company armed with shields and bucklers, all brandishing their swords.

Isaiah 5:28-29
Their arrows are sharpened, and all their bows are strung. The hooves of their horses are like flint; their chariot wheels are like a whirlwind. / Their roaring is like that of a lion; they roar like young lions. They growl and seize their prey; they carry it away, and no one can rescue it.

Revelation 9:7-9
And the locusts looked like horses prepared for battle, with something like crowns of gold on their heads; and their faces were like the faces of men. / They had hair like that of women, and teeth like those of lions. / They also had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the roar of many horses and chariots rushing into battle.

Joel 2:4-5
Their appearance is like that of horses, and they gallop like swift steeds. / With a sound like that of chariots they bound over the mountaintops, like the crackling of fire consuming stubble, like a mighty army deployed for battle.

Isaiah 13:3-5
I have commanded My sanctified ones; I have even summoned My warriors to execute My wrath and exult in My triumph. / Listen, a tumult on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations gathered together! The LORD of Hosts is mobilizing an army for war. / 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.

Revelation 19:15
And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

Isaiah 47:6
I was angry with My people; I profaned My heritage, and I placed them under your control. You showed them no mercy; even on the elderly you laid a most heavy yoke.

Habakkuk 1:6-8
For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans—that ruthless and impetuous nation which marches through the breadth of the earth to seize dwellings not their own. / They are dreaded and feared; from themselves they derive justice and sovereignty. / Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves of the night. Their horsemen charge ahead, and their cavalry comes from afar. They fly like a vulture, swooping down to devour.

Revelation 18:2
And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast.

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.

Revelation 17:14
They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.”

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.

Revelation 6:2
So I looked and saw a white horse, and its rider held a bow. And he was given a crown, and he rode out to overcome and conquer.

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.”


Treasury of Scripture

They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not show mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride on horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against you, O daughter of Babylon.

hold

Jeremiah 6:22,23
Thus saith the LORD, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth…

they are cruel

Psalm 74:20
Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.

Psalm 137:8,9
O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us…

Isaiah 13:17,18
Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it…

their voice

Psalm 46:2,3,6
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; …

Isaiah 5:30
And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.

shall ride

Jeremiah 8:16
The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein.

Jeremiah 47:3
At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;

Isaiah 5:28
Whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind:

Jump to Previous
Array Babylon Battle Bow Compassion Cruel Daughter Hold Horses Javelin Lay Mercy Ride Roar Roaring Roars Sea Seize Shew Spear Voice War
Jump to Next
Array Babylon Battle Bow Compassion Cruel Daughter Hold Horses Javelin Lay Mercy Ride Roar Roaring Roars Sea Seize Shew Spear Voice War
Jeremiah 50
1. The judgment of Babylon and the redemption of Israel














They grasp the bow and spear
This phrase highlights the military prowess and preparedness of the invaders. The bow and spear were common weapons in ancient warfare, symbolizing both offensive and defensive capabilities. In Hebrew, the word for "bow" is "קֶשֶׁת" (qeshet), and "spear" is "חֲנִית" (ḥanit). These weapons indicate a formidable force, ready for battle. Historically, the use of such weapons was widespread in the Near East, and their mention here underscores the impending doom for Babylon, as God uses these invaders as instruments of His judgment.

they are cruel and merciless
The description of the invaders as "cruel and merciless" emphasizes the severity of the judgment coming upon Babylon. The Hebrew word for "cruel" is "אַכְזָרִי" (akhzari), which conveys a sense of harshness and brutality. "Merciless" in Hebrew is "לֹא יַחְמֹלוּ" (lo yachmolu), meaning without compassion. This reflects the divine retribution that Babylon faces for its own cruelty and oppression, particularly against God's people. The invaders' lack of mercy is a direct response to Babylon's own merciless actions.

Their voice roars like the sea
This simile compares the invaders' approach to the overwhelming and unstoppable force of the sea. The Hebrew word for "roars" is "יִשְׁאָג" (yish'ag), which conveys a loud, tumultuous sound. The sea, often used in Scripture to symbolize chaos and power, here represents the invaders' might and the fear they instill. This imagery serves to remind the reader of God's sovereign control over the nations, as He orchestrates events to fulfill His purposes.

and they ride on horses
Horses were a symbol of strength and speed in ancient warfare. The Hebrew word for "horses" is "סוּסִים" (susim), indicating a well-equipped and mobile army. The use of horses suggests a swift and decisive attack, leaving little room for escape or resistance. This imagery reinforces the inevitability of Babylon's downfall, as the invaders are portrayed as an unstoppable force.

lined up like men in battle formation
This phrase depicts the invaders' discipline and organization. The Hebrew word for "lined up" is "עָרוּךְ" (arukh), meaning arranged or set in order. The image of a battle formation conveys readiness and strategic planning, highlighting the invaders' capability to execute a coordinated assault. This serves as a stark contrast to Babylon's impending disarray and defeat, emphasizing the futility of resisting God's ordained judgment.

against you, O Daughter of Babylon
The term "Daughter of Babylon" is a poetic expression referring to the city and its inhabitants. In Hebrew, "בַּת בָּבֶל" (bat Babel) personifies Babylon, emphasizing its vulnerability and impending destruction. This phrase serves as a reminder of Babylon's pride and arrogance, which have led to its downfall. The use of "daughter" also evokes a sense of intimacy and loss, as Babylon, once a powerful empire, is now subject to divine judgment. This underscores the theme of God's justice and the ultimate accountability of nations before Him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They grasp
יַחֲזִ֗יקוּ (ya·ḥă·zî·qū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

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

and javelin.
וְכִידֹ֞ן (wə·ḵî·ḏōn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3591: Something to strike with, a dart

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

are cruel
אַכְזָרִ֥י (’aḵ·zā·rî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 394: Terrible

and without
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

mercy.
יְרַחֵ֔מוּ (yə·ra·ḥê·mū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7355: To fondle, to love, to compassionate

Their voice
קוֹלָם֙ (qō·w·lām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

roars
יֶהֱמֶ֔ה (ye·hĕ·meh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1993: To make a, loud sound, commotion, tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor

like the sea,
כַּיָּ֣ם (kay·yām)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

and they ride
יִרְכָּ֑בוּ (yir·kā·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7392: To ride, to place upon, to despatch

on
וְעַל־ (wə·‘al-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

horses,
סוּסִ֖ים (sū·sîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5483: A swallow, swift (type of bird)

lined up
עָר֗וּךְ (‘ā·rūḵ)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 6186: To set in a, row, arrange, put in order

like men
כְּאִישׁ֙ (kə·’îš)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

in battle formation
לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה (lam·mil·ḥā·māh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

against you,
עָלַ֖יִךְ (‘ā·la·yiḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

O Daughter
בַּת־ (baṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

of Babylon.
בָּבֶֽל׃ (bā·ḇel)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city


Links
Jeremiah 50:42 NIV
Jeremiah 50:42 NLT
Jeremiah 50:42 ESV
Jeremiah 50:42 NASB
Jeremiah 50:42 KJV

Jeremiah 50:42 BibleApps.com
Jeremiah 50:42 Biblia Paralela
Jeremiah 50:42 Chinese Bible
Jeremiah 50:42 French Bible
Jeremiah 50:42 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Jeremiah 50:42 They lay hold on bow and spear (Jer.)
Jeremiah 50:41
Top of Page
Top of Page