Jeremiah 46:21 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Egypt's mercenary forces, despite their strength, flee in panic when disaster arrives.
The Context of Jeremiah 46:21
The failure of Egypt's mercenary forces to maintain their position when judgment arrives.
What Does Jeremiah 46:21 Mean?
Egypt's hired soldiers—mercenaries brought in to bolster defenses—are compared to 'fatted bullocks,' well-fed and presumably strong. Yet these same mighty warriors turn back and flee together in a rout. The shift from confident strength to panicked flight is swift and total. They abandon position and formation, scattering in terror. The collective nature of their flight—'fled away together'—underscores the completeness of the collapse.
The reason for their flight is theological: 'the day of their calamity was come upon them, and the time of their visitation.' This 'day' and 'time' are appointed by God. No amount of mercenary strength or preparation can withstand an appointed time of divine visitation. The mercenaries, serving only for wages, have no loyalty sufficient to make them stand when that day arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 46:21
What does Jeremiah 46:21 mean?
Egypt's mercenary forces, despite their strength, flee in panic when disaster arrives.
What is the context of Jeremiah 46:21?
The failure of Egypt's mercenary forces to maintain their position when judgment arrives.