Jeremiah 6:23

6:23 Its soldiers are armed with bows and spears.

They are cruel and show no mercy.

They sound like the roaring sea

as they ride forth on their horses.

Lined up in formation like men going into battle

to attack you, Daughter Zion.’” ¹ 

Jeremiah 50:9

50:9 For I will rouse into action and bring against Babylon

a host of mighty nations ²  from the land of the north.

They will set up their battle lines against her.

They will come from the north and capture her. ³ 

Their arrows will be like a skilled soldier ⁴ 

who does not return from the battle empty-handed. ⁵ 

Jeremiah 50:42

50:42 Its soldiers are armed with bows and spears.

They are cruel and show no mercy.

They sound like the roaring sea

as they ride forth on their horses.

Lined up in formation like men going into battle,

they are coming against you, fair Babylon! ⁶ 

[6:23]  ¹ sn Jerualem is personified as a young maiden helpless before enemy attackers.

[50:9]  ² sn Some of these are named in Jer 51:27-28.

[50:9]  ³ tn Heb “She will be captured from there (i.e., from the north).”

[50:9]  ⁴ tc Read Heb ַָמשְׂכִּיל (moskil) with a number of Hebrew mss and some of the versions in place of מַשְׁכִּיל (mashkil, “one who kills children”) with the majority of Hebrew mss and some of the versions. See BHS note d for the details.

[50:9]  ⁵ tn Or more freely, “Their arrows will be as successful at hitting their mark // as a skilled soldier always returns from battle with plunder.”

[50:42]  ³ tn Heb “daughter Babylon.” The word “daughter” is a personification of the city of Babylon and its inhabitants.