King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 46:21 Mean?

Jeremiah 46:21 in the King James Version says “Also her hired men are in the midst of her like fatted bullocks; for they also are turned back, and are fled away togeth... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. fatted: Heb. bullocks of the stall

Jeremiah 46:21 · KJV


Context

19

O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity : for Noph shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitant. furnish: Heb. make thee instruments of captivity

20

Egypt is like a very fair heifer, but destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north.

21

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. fatted: Heb. bullocks of the stall

22

The voice thereof shall go like a serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.

23

They shall cut down her forest, saith the LORD, though it cannot be searched; because they are more than the grasshoppers, and are innumerable .


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Her hired men are in the midst of her like fatted bullocks (גַּם־שְׂכִרֶיהָ בְקִרְבָּהּ כְּעֶגְלֵי מַרְבֵּק)—Egypt's mercenaries (sekireyha) are compared to egley marbeq (calves of the stall), pampered livestock raised for slaughter. The irony is devastating: soldiers hired for strength prove as helpless as penned animals. They did not stand (לֹא עָמָדוּ)—the verb amad means to take a stand in battle.

The day of their calamity (יוֹם אֵידָם) and the time of their visitation (עֵת פְּקֻדָּתָם) employ legal terminology—eyd (calamity) and pequddah (reckoning/visitation) denote God's appointed moment of judgment. No amount of military preparation can withstand divine decree.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Egypt regularly employed foreign mercenaries, especially Greek, Libyan, and Nubian soldiers. These professional troops were expensive but considered elite forces. The metaphor of fattened calves would resonate with an agricultural society familiar with livestock management and sacrifice.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways do we rely on "hired help"—external securities—rather than trusting God's protection?
  2. How does the image of pampered livestock for slaughter illustrate the temporary nature of worldly strength?
  3. What does the phrase "day of their calamity" teach about divine appointments we cannot escape or postpone?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
גַּם1 of 20
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

שְׂכִרֶ֤יהָ2 of 20

Also her hired men

H7916

a man who is hired by the day or year

בְקִרְבָּהּ֙3 of 20

are in the midst

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

כְּעֶגְלֵ֣י4 of 20

bullocks

H5695

a (male) calf (as frisking round), especially one nearly grown (i.e., a steer)

מַרְבֵּ֔ק5 of 20

of her like fatted

H4770

a stall (for cattle)

כִּֽי6 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

גַם7 of 20
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

הֵ֧מָּה8 of 20
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

הִפְנ֛וּ9 of 20

for they also are turned back

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

נָ֥סוּ10 of 20

and are fled away

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

יַחְדָּ֖יו11 of 20

together

H3162

properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

לֹ֣א12 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עָמָ֑דוּ13 of 20

they did not stand

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

כִּ֣י14 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

י֥וֹם15 of 20

because the day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֵידָ֛ם16 of 20

of their calamity

H343

oppression; by implication misfortune, ruin

בָּ֥א17 of 20

was come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם18 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עֵ֥ת19 of 20

upon them and the time

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

פְּקֻדָּתָֽם׃20 of 20

of their visitation

H6486

visitation (in many senses, chiefly official)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 46:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 46:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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