Jeremiah 46:6

46:6 But even the swiftest cannot get away.

Even the strongest cannot escape. ¹ 

There in the north by the Euphrates River

they stumble and fall in defeat. ² 

Jeremiah 46:10

46:10 But that day belongs to the Lord God who rules over all. ³ 

It is the day when he will pay back his enemies. ⁴ 

His sword will devour them until its appetite is satisfied!

It will drink their blood until it is full! ⁵ 

For the Lord God who rules over all ⁶  will offer them up as a sacrifice

in the land of the north by the Euphrates River.

[46:6]  ¹ tn The translation assumes that the adjectives with the article are functioning as superlatives in this context (cf. GKC 431 §133.g). It also assumes that אַל (’al) with the jussive is expressing here an emphatic negative rather than a negative wish (cf. GKC 317 §107.p and compare the usage in Ps 50:3).

[46:6]  ² tn Heb “they stumble and fall.” However, the verbs here are used of a fatal fall, of a violent death in battle (see BDB 657 s.v. נָפַל Qal.2.a), and a literal translation might not be understood by some readers.

[46:10]  ³ tn Heb “the Lord Yahweh of armies.” See the study note at 2:19 for the translation and significance of this title for God.

[46:10]  ⁴ sn Most commentators think that this is a reference to the Lord exacting vengeance on Pharaoh Necho for killing Josiah, carrying Jehoahaz off into captivity, and exacting heavy tribute on Judah in 609 b.c. (2 Kgs 23:29, 33-35).

[46:10]  ⁵ tn Or more paraphrastically, “he will kill them/ until he has exacted full vengeance”; Heb “The sword will eat and be sated; it will drink its fill of their blood.”

[46:10]  ⁶ tn Heb “the Lord Yahweh of armies.” See the study note at 2:19 for the translation and significance of this title for God.