What does Jeremiah 46:22 mean?
"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." - Jeremiah 46:22
Jeremiah 46:22 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "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."
To fully grasp the meaning of this verse, it is important to understand the historical and cultural context in which it was written. The book of Jeremiah is set during a time of great tumult in the kingdom of Judah, as the nation faced the impending threat of invasion from the Babylonian empire. The prophet Jeremiah was called upon by God to deliver a message of warning and judgment to the people, urging them to repent of their sins and turn back to God.
In this particular verse, Jeremiah is prophesying about the impending destruction of Egypt at the hands of the Babylonian army. The imagery used in the verse is quite vivid and powerful, as Jeremiah likens the approaching army to a serpent, and describes them as wielding axes like woodcutters. This imagery serves to emphasize the ruthless and relentless nature of the Babylonian army, as well as the devastation that they will bring upon Egypt.
One of the key themes of this verse is the concept of divine judgment. Throughout the book of Jeremiah, the prophet repeatedly emphasizes the idea that God will not allow sin and rebellion to go unpunished. In the case of Egypt, their pride, arrogance, and idolatry had led them away from God, and as a result, they would face the severe consequences of their actions. The imagery of the serpent and the woodcutters serves to convey the sense of impending doom and the inevitability of the judgment that is to come.
Furthermore, the verse also speaks to the futility of relying on human strength and wisdom in the face of adversity. The rulers of Egypt may have thought themselves powerful and invincible, but Jeremiah makes it clear that even their military might will be no match for the divine judgment that is to come. This serves as a powerful reminder that true security and protection can only be found in God, and that reliance on human strength alone will ultimately lead to downfall and destruction.
In addition to its historical and theological significance, this verse also contains rich symbolism. The serpent, often associated with cunning and deceit in the Bible, serves as a powerful representation of the Babylonian army and their ruthless nature. The use of axes as weapons further emphasizes the destructive and merciless intent of the invading army. This imagery serves to underscore the severity of the judgment that is to come upon Egypt and the inevitable nature of their downfall.
In conclusion, Jeremiah 46:22 is a powerful and evocative verse that serves as a reminder of the inevitability of divine judgment, the futility of human strength, and the importance of reliance on God. Its vivid imagery and potent symbolism add depth and richness to its message, making it a poignant and thought-provoking passage within the larger narrative of the book of Jeremiah.
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Jeremiah 46:22 Artwork
Jeremiah 46:22 - "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."
"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." - Jeremiah 46:22
Jeremiah 46:1 - "The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles;"
Jeremiah 46:13 - "¶ The word that the LORD spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come and smite the land of Egypt."
Jeremiah 46:3 - "Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle."
Jeremiah 46:20 - "Egypt is like a very fair heifer, but destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north."
Jeremiah 46:7 - "Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?"
Genesis 46:22 - "These are the sons of Rachel, which were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen."
Jeremiah 50:46 - "At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations."
Jeremiah 46:15 - "Why are thy valiant men swept away? they stood not, because the LORD did drive them."
"The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles;" - Jeremiah 46:1
Jeremiah 46:24 - "The daughter of Egypt shall be confounded; she shall be delivered into the hand of the people of the north."
2 Samuel 22:46 - "Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places."
Jeremiah 46:17 - "They did cry there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he hath passed the time appointed."
Jeremiah 48:46 - "Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives."
Jeremiah 46:19 - "O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity: for Noph shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitant."
Jeremiah 46:23 - "They shall cut down her forest, saith the LORD, though it cannot be searched; because they are more than the grasshoppers, and are innumerable."
Luke 22:46 - "And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation."
Jeremiah 46:4 - "Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the brigandines."
1 Kings 22:46 - "And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land."
Ezekiel 46:22 - "In the four corners of the court there were courts joined of forty cubits long and thirty broad: these four corners were of one measure."
Jeremiah 46:6 - "Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates."
"Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle." - Jeremiah 46:3
Jehoiachin in Jeremiah 22:22-30
"¶ The word that the LORD spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come and smite the land of Egypt." - Jeremiah 46:13
Jeremiah 46:14 - "Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph and in Tahpanhes: say ye, Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee."
Jeremiah 46:11 - "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."
Jeremiah 46:18 - "As I live, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts, Surely as Tabor is among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he come."
Matthew 22:46 - "And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions."
"Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?" - Jeremiah 46:7