Jeremiah 46:6 Meaning and Explanation
“Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Those attempting to escape the battle cannot flee—they stumble and fall northward by the Euphrates.
The Context of Jeremiah 46:6
The impossibility of escape for Egyptian soldiers; the geography of their defeat.
What Does Jeremiah 46:6 Mean?
The command continues with a pronouncement of inescapability. Swift runners and mighty warriors alike cannot escape; their flight ends in stumbling and falling. The geography matters: they fall toward the north (the direction of Babylon's advance) by the river Euphrates (the site of Carchemish and the boundary of their retreat). No speed and no strength avails against the divine judgment unfolding.
The verse emphasizes that escape is impossible because God's judgment is comprehensive. There is no direction to flee, no position of safety, no strength sufficient to resist. All Egypt's military prowess—swiftness, might, armor, strategy—proves ineffectual against the certainty of defeat and the specific location where it will end.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 46:6
What does Jeremiah 46:6 mean?
Those attempting to escape the battle cannot flee—they stumble and fall northward by the Euphrates.
What is the context of Jeremiah 46:6?
The impossibility of escape for Egyptian soldiers; the geography of their defeat.