Old Testament
Jeremiah 46:21
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Even her hired soldiers living among her are like fattened calves. They too have turned back and fled together. They couldn't stand their ground because the day of their calamity has come upon them, and the time of their visitation.
Compare translations
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.
What Jeremiah 46:21 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah describes the situation of Egypt during a time of impending disaster. The hired soldiers, who are supposed to protect the nation, are compared to fattened calves, indicating they are unprepared and weak. Instead of standing firm in battle, they flee in fear when calamity strikes. This reflects a broader theme of judgment and the consequences of turning away from God. The 'day of their calamity' signifies a time when divine judgment is executed, and 'the time of their visitation' suggests a moment when God intervenes in human affairs, often with serious consequences. The imagery of fleeing soldiers highlights the futility of relying on human strength and military might when facing divine judgment. This verse serves as a warning about the importance of faithfulness and readiness in times of crisis, emphasizing that true strength comes from God, not from human resources or alliances.
How to apply Jeremiah 46:21 to your life
In our lives, we may face moments of crisis where we feel overwhelmed. This verse reminds us to rely on God rather than our own strength or resources. When challenges arise, we should seek spiritual preparedness and trust in God's guidance to stand firm in faith.
Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Daniel's story: Faithful at the King's Table (Daniel 1:1–21)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Daniel
Photo: Bukvoed, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 4.0. Source. Location: Burj Beitin, Beitin, Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Bethel
Where Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven and met God.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Jeremiah 46:21
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Jeremiah 46:21
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Jeremiah
- Author
- Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
- Written
- Around 600 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah before and during the Babylonian exile
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Jeremiah 46:21 mean?
Jeremiah 46:21 describes Egypt's hired soldiers as unprepared and cowardly in the face of disaster, highlighting their inability to stand firm when calamity strikes. This reflects a theme of judgment and the consequences of turning away from God.
What is the significance of 'the day of their calamity' in Jeremiah 46:21?
The phrase 'the day of their calamity' signifies a time when divine judgment is executed, indicating that a moment of reckoning has arrived for those who have turned away from God.
What does 'the time of their visitation' refer to in this verse?
'The time of their visitation' refers to a moment when God intervenes in human affairs, often bringing serious consequences for disobedience or unfaithfulness.
How does Jeremiah 46:21 relate to human weakness?
The verse illustrates human weakness by showing that even hired soldiers, who are expected to be strong, flee in fear during a crisis, emphasizing the futility of relying solely on human strength.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.