Jeremiah 46:21

46:21 Even her mercenaries ¹ 

will prove to be like pampered, ²  well-fed calves.

For they too will turn and run away.

They will not stand their ground

when ³  the time for them to be destroyed comes,

the time for them to be punished.

Jeremiah 49:30

49:30 The Lord says, ⁴  “Flee quickly, you who live in Hazor. ⁵ 

Take up refuge in remote places. ⁶ 

For King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon has laid out plans to attack you.

He has formed his strategy on how to defeat you.” ⁷ 

[46:21]  ¹ tn Heb “her hirelings in her midst.”

[46:21]  ² tn The word “pampered” is not in the text. It is supplied in the translation to explain the probable meaning of the simile. The mercenaries were well cared for like stall-fed calves, but in the face of the danger they will prove no help because they will turn and run away without standing their ground. Some see the point of the simile to be that they too are fattened for slaughter. However, the next two lines do not fit that interpretation too well.

[46:21]  ³ tn The temporal use of the particle כִּי (ki; BDB 472 s.v. כִּי 2.a) seems more appropriate to the context than the causal use.

[49:30]  ⁴ tn Heb “Oracle of the Lord.”

[49:30]  ⁵ map For location see Map1 D2; Map2 D3; Map3 A2; Map4 C1.

[49:30]  ⁶ tn Heb “Make deep to dwell.” See Jer 49:8 and the translator’s note there. The use of this same phrase here argues against the alternative there of going down from a height and going back home.

[49:30]  ⁷ tn Heb “has counseled a counsel against you, has planned a plan against you.”