King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 46:9 Mean?

Jeremiah 46:9 in the King James Version says “Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handl... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. the Ethiopians: Heb. Cush the Libyans: Heb. Put

Jeremiah 46:9 · KJV


Context

7

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

8

Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof.

9

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. the Ethiopians: Heb. Cush the Libyans: Heb. Put

10

For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.

11

Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured. thou shalt: Heb. no cure shall be unto thee


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots—The Hebrew alah (עָלָה, "come up") echoes verse 8's ascending waters, now ironically commanding Egypt's military to advance toward their doom. The verb halal (הָלַל, "rage") means to act madly or boast, suggesting frenzied, reckless confidence. Jeremiah catalogs Egypt's mercenary forces: the Ethiopians (Kush, כּוּשׁ, referring to Nubia/Sudan), the Libyans (Put, פּוּט, modern Libya), and the Lydians (Ludim, לוּדִים, Asia Minor)—demonstrating Egypt's reliance on hired soldiers rather than covenant faithfulness.

The phrase that handle the shield (taphas magen, תֹּפְשֵׂי מָגֵן) and that handle and bend the bow (dorekei qeshet, דֹּרְכֵי קֶשֶׁת) emphasizes military expertise, yet expertise cannot prevent God's ordained judgment. This multinational coalition mirrors the nations gathered against God's purposes throughout Scripture, prefiguring the eschatological gathering against Jerusalem in Zechariah 14 and Revelation 19-20. Human military might, however impressive, crumbles before divine decree.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Egypt's military relied heavily on mercenaries from its vassal territories. Archaeological evidence confirms Ethiopian (Kushite) and Libyan troops served in Egyptian armies throughout the Late Period. The Lydians from western Asia Minor were renowned archers. This diversity revealed both Egypt's extensive influence and its fundamental weakness—mercenaries fight for pay, not loyalty, and often fled when battle turned against them (v. 16).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Egypt's reliance on mercenaries teach about trusting human strength rather than God?
  2. How does the 'raging' of chariots contrast with the peace found in trusting God's sovereign purposes?
  3. In what ways do we assemble our own coalitions of human resources instead of seeking God's help?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
עֲל֤וּ1 of 14

Come up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

הַסּוּסִים֙2 of 14

ye horses

H5483

a horse (as leaping)

וְהִתְהֹלְל֣וּ3 of 14

and rage

H1984

to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ

הָרֶ֔כֶב4 of 14

ye chariots

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

וְיֵצְא֖וּ5 of 14

come forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

הַגִּבּוֹרִ֑ים6 of 14

and let the mighty men

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

כּ֤וּשׁ7 of 14

the Ethiopians

H3568

cush (or ethiopia), the name of an israelite

וּפוּט֙8 of 14

and the Libyans

H6316

put, a son of ham, also the name of his descendants or their region, and of a persian tribe

תֹּפְשֵׂ֖י9 of 14

that handle

H8610

to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably

מָגֵ֔ן10 of 14

the shield

H4043

a shield (i.e., the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile

וְלוּדִ֕ים11 of 14

and the Lydians

H3866

a ludite or inhabitants of lud (only in plural)

תֹּפְשֵׂ֖י12 of 14

that handle

H8610

to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably

דֹּ֥רְכֵי13 of 14

and bend

H1869

to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)

קָֽשֶׁת׃14 of 14

the bow

H7198

a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris


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 46:9 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 46:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study