King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 46:5 Mean?

Jeremiah 46:5 in the King James Version says “Wherefore have I seen them dismayed and turned away back? and their mighty ones are beaten down, and are fled apace, and...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. beaten: Heb. broken in pieces fled: Heb. fled a flight”

Jeremiah 46:5 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

3

Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle.

4

Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the brigandines.

5

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. beaten: Heb. broken in pieces fled: Heb. fled a flight

6

Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates.

7

Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?

Read Jeremiah 46 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Wherefore have I seen them dismayed (מַדּוּעַ רָאִיתִי הֵמָּה חַתִּים)—The interrogative maddua expresses shocked surprise: 'Why do I see...?' The adjective hattim (חַתִּים) means 'terrified' or 'shattered.' After v. 3-4's confident preparation, the sudden reversal is stunning. Turned away back (נְסֹגִים אָחוֹר) describes chaotic retreat—disciplined forces dissolving into panicked flight.

Their mighty ones are beaten down (gibboreihem, גִּבּוֹרֵיהֶם)—Egypt's elite warriors, the gibborim, flee without fighting. Fear was round about, saith the LORD (מָגוֹר מִסָּבִיב נְאֻם־יְהוָה)—The phrase magor missaviv ('terror on every side') is Jeremiah's signature expression (6:25, 20:3, 10), signifying God-sent panic that breaks military discipline.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient battle accounts rarely describe such comprehensive panic among elite forces. The Babylonian Chronicles confirm Egypt's catastrophic defeat at Carchemish, stating Nebuchadnezzar 'accomplished their overthrow and beat them until they ceased to exist.' Divine terror caused military collapse beyond natural battlefield dynamics.

Reflection Questions

  1. What causes elite warriors to flee without fighting when God sends supernatural fear?
  2. How does 'terror on every side' demonstrate judgment extending beyond physical defeat to psychological collapse?
  3. Why is God's declaration ('saith the LORD') crucial for understanding this as divine judgment, not mere military misfortune?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
מַדּ֣וּעַ1 of 16
H4069

what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?

רָאִ֗יתִי2 of 16

“Wherefore have I seen”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

הֵ֣מָּה3 of 16
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

חַתִּים֮4 of 16

“them dismayed”

H2844

concretely, crushed; also afraid; abstractly, terror

נְסֹגִ֣ים5 of 16

“and turned”

H5472

properly, to flinch, i.e., (by implication) to go back, literally (to retreat) or figuratively (to apostatize)

אָחוֹר֒6 of 16

“away back”

H268

the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the west

וְגִבּוֹרֵיהֶ֣ם7 of 16

“and their mighty ones”

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

יֻכַּ֔תּוּ8 of 16

“are beaten down”

H3807

to bruise or violently strike

וּמָנ֥וֹס9 of 16

“apace”

H4498

a retreat (literally or figuratively); abstractly, a fleeing

נָ֖סוּ10 of 16

“and are fled”

H5127

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

וְלֹ֣א11 of 16
H3808

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

הִפְנ֑וּ12 of 16

“and look not back”

H6437

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

מָג֥וֹר13 of 16

“for fear”

H4032

a fright (objective or subjective)

מִסָּבִ֖יב14 of 16

“was round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

נְאֻם15 of 16

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָֽה׃16 of 16

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 46:5 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 46:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 49:29Jeremiah 6:25Jeremiah 46:21Jeremiah 20:102 Kings 7:6-7Genesis 19:17

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