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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 46:22 Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent, for the enemy will advance in force; with axes they will come against her like woodsmen cutting down trees.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/46-22.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/24_Jer_46_22.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 46:22 - The Judgment on Egypt" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent, for the enemy will advance in force; with axes they will come against her like woodsmen cutting down trees." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/jeremiah/46-22.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/jeremiah/46-22.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/">Jeremiah</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/46.htm">Chapter 46</a> > Verse 22</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/jeremiah/46-21.htm" title="Jeremiah 46:21">◄</a> Jeremiah 46:22 <a href="/jeremiah/46-23.htm" title="Jeremiah 46:23">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/46.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/jeremiah/46.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent as the enemy advances in force; they will come against her with axes, like men who cut down trees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/46.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Egypt flees, silent as a serpent gliding away. The invading army marches in; they come against her with axes like woodsmen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/46.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“She makes a sound like a serpent gliding away; for her enemies march in force and come against her with axes like those who fell trees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/46.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent, for the enemy will advance in force; with axes they will come against her like woodsmen cutting down trees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/46.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The voice thereof shall go like a serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/46.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Her noise shall go like a serpent, For they shall march with an army And come against her with axes, Like those who chop wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/46.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Its sound moves along like a serpent; For they move on like an army And come to her as woodcutters with axes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/46.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Its sound moves along like a serpent; For they move on like an army And come to her as woodcutters with axes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/46.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Its sound moves along like a serpent; For they move on like an army And come to her as woodcutters with axes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/46.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Its sound moves along like a serpent; For they move on like a military force And come to her as woodcutters with axes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/46.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“The sound [of Egypt fleeing from the enemy] is like [the rustling of] an escaping serpent, For her foes advance with a mighty army And come against her like woodcutters with axes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/46.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Egypt will hiss like a slithering snake, for the enemy will come with an army; with axes they will come against her like those who cut trees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/46.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Egypt will hiss like a slithering snake, for the enemy will come with an army; with axes they will come against her like those who cut trees. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/46.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The sound thereof shall go like the serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/46.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The enemy army will go forward like a swarm of locusts. Your troops will feel helpless, like a snake in a forest <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/46.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The sound thereof shall go like the serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/46.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Egypt will hiss like a snake as it slithers away. Its enemies will come with full force. They will attack it with axes like those who chop wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/46.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Egypt runs away, hissing like a snake, as the enemy's army approaches. They attack her with axes, like people cutting down trees <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/46.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Her cry will be like that of a fleeing serpent when they come in strength. They're coming to her with axes like woodcutters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/46.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent, for the enemy will advance in force; with axes they will come against her like woodsmen cutting down trees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/46.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Egypt will run away, hissing like a snake, as the enemy comes marching up in force. They will come against her with axes as if they were woodsmen chopping down trees. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/46.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The sound of it shall go like the serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as wood cutters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/46.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The voice thereof shall go like a serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/46.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Its sound will go like the serpent, for they will march with an army, and come against her with axes, as wood cutters. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/46.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Its voice goes on as a serpent, "" For they go with a force, "" And they have come in to her with axes, "" As hewers of trees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/46.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Its voice as a serpent goeth on, For with a force they go, And with axes they have come in to her, As hewers of trees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/46.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Her voice shall go as the serpent; for with an army in the sand they shall go, and with axes they came to her, as they hewing wood.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/46.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Her voice shall sound like brass, for they shall hasten with an army, and with axes they shall come against her, as hewers of wood. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/46.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Her voice will sound out like brass. For they will rush forward with an army, and with axes they will come against her, like those who chop wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/46.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Her voice is like a snake! Yes, they come in force; They attack her with axes, like those who fell trees. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/46.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />She makes a sound like a snake gliding away; for her enemies march in force, and come against her with axes, like those who fell trees.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/46.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The sound of the army is like that of a serpent when it creeps; for they shall march with an army and come against her with axes, like hewers of trees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/46.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The sound of the army was like a serpent that slithers, because they shall depart with the army, and with axes they shall come against her like tree cutters<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/46.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The sound thereof shall go like the serpent's; For they march with an army, And come against her with axes, As hewers of wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/46.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Their voice is as <i>that</i> of a hissing serpent, for they go upon the sand; they shall come upon Egypt with axes, as men that cut wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/46-22.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=13999" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/46.htm">The Judgment on Egypt</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">21</span>Even the mercenaries among her are like fattened calves. They too will turn back; together they will flee, they will not stand their ground, for the day of calamity is coming upon them—the time of their punishment. <span class="reftext">22</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: qō·w·lāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">Egypt will hiss</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: yê·lêḵ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">like a fleeing</a> <a href="/hebrew/5175.htm" title="5175: kan·nā·ḥāš (Prep-k, Art:: N-ms) -- A serpent. From nachash; a snake.">serpent,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: yê·lê·ḵū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">the enemy will advance</a> <a href="/hebrew/2428.htm" title="2428: ḇə·ḥa·yil (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- From chuwl; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength.">in force;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7134.htm" title="7134: ū·ḇə·qar·dum·mō·wṯ (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-fp) -- An axe. Perhaps from qadam in the sense of striking upon; an axe.">with axes</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: bā·’ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">they will come</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- ">against her</a> <a href="/hebrew/2404.htm" title="2404: kə·ḥō·ṭə·ḇê (Prep-k:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To cut or gather wood. A primitive root; to chop or carve wood.">like woodsmen cutting down trees.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6086.htm" title="6086: ‘ê·ṣîm (N-mp) -- Tree, trees, wood. From atsah; a tree; hence, wood."></a> </span><span class="reftext">23</span>They will chop down her forest, declares the LORD, dense though it may be, for they are more numerous than locusts; they cannot be counted.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/32-2.htm">Ezekiel 32:2</a></span><br />“Son of man, take up a lament for Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him: ‘You are like a lion among the nations; you are like a monster in the seas. You thrash about in your rivers, churning up the waters with your feet and muddying the streams.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/19-1.htm">Isaiah 19:1</a></span><br />This is the burden against Egypt: Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud; He is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-7.htm">Isaiah 30:7</a></span><br />Egypt’s help is futile and empty; therefore I have called her Rahab Who Sits Still.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-9.htm">Isaiah 51:9</a></span><br />Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/3-8.htm">Nahum 3:8-10</a></span><br />Are you better than Thebes, stationed by the Nile with water around her, whose rampart was the sea, whose wall was the water? / Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength; Put and Libya were her allies. / Yet she became an exile; she went into captivity. Her infants were dashed to pieces at the head of every street. They cast lots for her dignitaries, and all her nobles were bound in chains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/27-1.htm">Isaiah 27:1</a></span><br />In that day the LORD will take His sharp, great, and mighty sword, and bring judgment on Leviathan the fleeing serpent—Leviathan the coiling serpent—and He will slay the dragon of the sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/31-1.htm">Isaiah 31:1</a></span><br />Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-29.htm">Isaiah 14:29-31</a></span><br />Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken. For a viper will spring from the root of the snake, and a flying serpent from its egg. / Then the firstborn of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety, but I will kill your root by famine, and your remnant will be slain. / Wail, O gate! Cry out, O city! Melt away, all you Philistines! For a cloud of smoke comes from the north, and there are no stragglers in its ranks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/11-15.htm">Isaiah 11:15-16</a></span><br />The LORD will devote to destruction the gulf of the Sea of Egypt; with a scorching wind He will sweep His hand over the Euphrates. He will split it into seven streams for men to cross with dry sandals. / There will be a highway for the remnant of His people who remain from Assyria, as there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/19-16.htm">Isaiah 19:16-17</a></span><br />In that day the Egyptians will be like women. They will tremble with fear beneath the uplifted hand of the LORD of Hosts, when He brandishes it against them. / The land of Judah will bring terror to Egypt; whenever Judah is mentioned, Egypt will tremble over what the LORD of Hosts has planned against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/20-3.htm">Isaiah 20:3-5</a></span><br />Then the LORD said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and omen against Egypt and Cush, / so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame. / Those who made Cush their hope and Egypt their boast will be dismayed and ashamed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-3.htm">Isaiah 30:3-5</a></span><br />But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace. / For though their princes are at Zoan and their envoys have arrived in Hanes, / everyone will be put to shame because of a people useless to them. They bring neither help nor benefit, but only shame and disgrace.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/31-3.htm">Isaiah 31:3</a></span><br />But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/36-6.htm">Isaiah 36:6</a></span><br />Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-9.htm">Isaiah 37:9</a></span><br />Now Sennacherib had been warned about Tirhakah king of Cush: “He has set out to fight against you.” On hearing this, Sennacherib sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The voice thereof shall go like a serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.</p><p class="hdg">voice</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/29-4.htm">Isaiah 29:4</a></b></br> And thou shalt be brought down, <i>and</i> shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/micah/1-8.htm">Micah 1:8</a></b></br> Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/micah/7-16.htm">Micah 7:16</a></b></br> The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay <i>their</i> hand upon <i>their</i> mouth, their ears shall be deaf.</p><p class="hdg">and come</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/51-20.htm">Jeremiah 51:20-23</a></b></br> Thou <i>art</i> my battle axe <i>and</i> weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/10-15.htm">Isaiah 10:15,33,34</a></b></br> Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? <i>or</i> shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake <i>itself</i> against them that lift it up, <i>or</i> as if the staff should lift up <i>itself, as if it were</i> no wood… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/14-8.htm">Isaiah 14:8</a></b></br> Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, <i>and</i> the cedars of Lebanon, <i>saying</i>, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/4-13.htm">Advances</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-2.htm">Army</a> <a href="/psalms/74-6.htm">Axes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-11.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/2-18.htm">Cutters</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-20.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-30.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-30.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-16.htm">Fell</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-29.htm">Fleeing</a> <a href="/jeremiah/39-1.htm">Force</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-1.htm">Gliding</a> <a href="/ezra/3-7.htm">Hewers</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-8.htm">Hiss</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-27.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-9.htm">March</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-24.htm">Move</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-3.htm">Moves</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-6.htm">Serpent</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-25.htm">Serpent's</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-5.htm">Snake</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-14.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-15.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-8.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-2.htm">Trees</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-23.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/jeremiah/28-13.htm">Wood</a> <a href="/joshua/9-27.htm">Woodcutters</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nahum/2-1.htm">Advances</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-41.htm">Army</a> <a href="/ezekiel/9-5.htm">Axes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-23.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/joshua/9-21.htm">Cutters</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-24.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-5.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/jeremiah/47-3.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-43.htm">Fell</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-19.htm">Fleeing</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-45.htm">Force</a> <a href="/job/26-13.htm">Gliding</a> <a href="/joshua/9-21.htm">Hewers</a> <a href="/jeremiah/49-17.htm">Hiss</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-15.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/daniel/11-11.htm">March</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-8.htm">Move</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-9.htm">Moves</a> <a href="/amos/5-19.htm">Serpent</a> <a href="/revelation/12-14.htm">Serpent's</a> <a href="/amos/5-19.htm">Snake</a> <a href="/jeremiah/47-3.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-14.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-9.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/ezekiel/15-2.htm">Trees</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-3.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-8.htm">Wood</a> <a href="/joshua/9-21.htm">Woodcutters</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 46</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/46-1.htm">Jeremiah prophesies the overthrow of Pharaoh's army at Euphrates</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/46-13.htm">and the conquest of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/46-27.htm">He comforts Jacob in his chastisement</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/46.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/46.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent</b><br>This phrase evokes the imagery of a serpent, a creature often associated with cunning and danger in biblical literature. The serpent's hissing suggests fear and retreat, indicating Egypt's impending defeat and humiliation. Historically, Egypt was a powerful nation, often symbolized by the serpent in its iconography, such as the uraeus on the pharaoh's crown. This imagery connects to the broader biblical theme of God's judgment against nations that oppose His will, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/27.htm">Isaiah 27:1</a>, where God punishes Leviathan, the fleeing serpent. The serpent's flight signifies Egypt's loss of power and influence, a reversal of its historical dominance.<p><b>for the enemy will advance in force</b><br>The advancing enemy refers to the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar, who historically invaded Egypt around 568-567 BC. This phrase underscores the inevitability and strength of the Babylonian forces, fulfilling God's judgment against Egypt. The advance in force highlights the overwhelming power and organized military strategy of Babylon, a common theme in the prophetic literature where God uses foreign nations as instruments of His judgment, as seen in <a href="/habakkuk/1-6.htm">Habakkuk 1:6-11</a>. This also serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over nations and history.<p><b>with axes they will come against her</b><br>The imagery of axes suggests a methodical and destructive approach, akin to lumberjacks cutting down trees. This metaphor indicates the thoroughness and inevitability of Egypt's downfall. In ancient warfare, axes were used not only as weapons but also for breaking through defenses, symbolizing the complete dismantling of Egypt's power structures. This reflects the broader biblical theme of divine retribution, where God allows foreign powers to execute His judgment, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/10-15.htm">Isaiah 10:15</a>, where Assyria is described as an axe in God's hand.<p><b>like woodsmen cutting down trees</b><br>This simile emphasizes the systematic and relentless nature of the Babylonian invasion. Just as woodsmen methodically cut down trees, the Babylonians would dismantle Egypt's defenses and infrastructure. Trees often symbolize strength and stability in the Bible, as seen in <a href="/psalms/1-3.htm">Psalm 1:3</a>, where the righteous are likened to a tree planted by streams of water. Here, the cutting down of trees symbolizes the removal of Egypt's strength and stability. This imagery also foreshadows the ultimate judgment and restoration themes found in the prophetic literature, where God promises to restore His people after a period of judgment, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/11.htm">Isaiah 11:1</a>, where a shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his prophecies concerning the judgment of God upon Judah and the surrounding nations.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The nation being addressed in this prophecy. Egypt was a significant power in the ancient Near East and often found itself in conflict with Israel and other nations.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_army.htm">Babylonian Army</a></b><br>The invading force implied in this passage, known for its military might and role in God's judgment against various nations, including Egypt.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh</a></b><br>The ruler of Egypt, often seen as a symbol of pride and opposition to God's will.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/serpent.htm">Serpent</a></b><br>A metaphor used in this verse to describe the voice of Egypt, symbolizing deceit, fear, and impending doom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_nations.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Nations</a></b><br>This passage reminds us that God is in control of all nations and their destinies. No power, no matter how great, can stand against His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_pride.htm">The Consequences of Pride</a></b><br>Egypt's downfall serves as a warning against pride and self-reliance. We must humble ourselves before God and seek His guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_certainty_of_god's_judgment.htm">The Certainty of God's Judgment</a></b><br>Just as God judged Egypt, He will judge all nations and individuals. We must live in a way that honors Him, knowing that His judgment is sure.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The imagery of the serpent reminds us of the spiritual battles we face. We must be vigilant and rely on God's strength to overcome the enemy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_redemption.htm">Repentance and Redemption</a></b><br>While this passage speaks of judgment, it also calls us to repentance. God's desire is for us to turn from our ways and seek His forgiveness and redemption.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_46.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 46</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_king_jehoiakim.htm">Who was King Jehoiakim in biblical history?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_jer._46_25-26_with_other_scriptures.htm">Jeremiah 46:25-26 - How can we harmonize Jehovah's pronouncement of destruction on Egypt with other Scriptures that portray God's relationship with nations differently?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_jer._46_13_conflict_with_history.htm">Jeremiah 46:13 - Why does this prophecy about Nebuchadnezzar's invasion of Egypt seemingly conflict with reports of the extent of Babylonian control in some historical sources?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_jer._46_8's_nile_flood_literal_or_not.htm">Jeremiah 46:8 - Is the imagery of the Nile flooding over the land literal or metaphorical, and could it contradict natural constraints on river flooding known from geological studies?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/46.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(22) <span class= "bld">The voice thereof shall go like a serpent.--</span>Better, <span class= "ital">her voice</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>the voice of Egypt. In early prophecies Egypt had been compared to a "dragon" or "serpent" (<a href="/isaiah/27-1.htm" title="In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.">Isaiah 27:1</a>; <a href="/isaiah/51-9.htm" title="Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Are you not it that has cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?">Isaiah 51:9</a>; <a href="/psalms/74-13.htm" title="You did divide the sea by your strength: you brake the heads of the dragons in the waters.">Psalm 74:13</a>). Here the serpent is represented as hissing in its rage and terror in the forest against which the enemies are advancing. The sign then gives way to the thing signified, and the latter clause of the verse brings before us the hosts of the Chaldaean allies, barbarous tribes like the Scythians, Massagetae, and Sacae, armed with axes instead of swords or spears (Herod. i. 275, iv. 5). They come, but it is to cut down the trees of the forest, <span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> the symbols of the power of Egypt, and there is no power to resist them (<a href="/isaiah/10-33.htm" title="Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.">Isaiah 10:33</a>). The forest is so dense that the trees cannot be counted, but the fellers of the trees are as numerous, and the forest is destined to destruction at the hands of "the people of the north."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/46.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 22.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The voice thereof shall go like a serpent;</span> rather, <span class="accented">her voice is like</span> (<span class="accented">the sound of</span>) <span class="accented">a serpent gliding away.</span> Egypt (like Jerusalem, in <a href="/isaiah/29-4.htm">Isaiah 29:4</a>) is imagined as a maiden (comp. ver. 19) seated on the ground, and faintly sighing; and her feeble voice is likened to the rustling sound of a serpent in motion. <span class="cmt_word">Come against her with axes.</span> A sudden change of figure. Egypt, or, more strictly, Egypt's grandeur - its rich and complex national life, its splendid cities, its powerful army, all combined in one, is now compared to a forest (comp. <a href="/jeremiah/21-14.htm">Jeremiah 21:14</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/22-6.htm">Jeremiah 22:6, 7</a>; <a href="/isaiah/2-13.htm">Isaiah 2:13</a>; <a href="/isaiah/10-18.htm">Isaiah 10:18, 19, 33, 34</a>). It seems far fetched to suppose, with Graf and Dr. Payne Smith, that the comparison of the Chaldean warriors to wood cutters arose from their being armed with axes. It is probably true that the Israelites did not use the battle axe, but the axe is merely an accident of the description. It is the forest which suggests the mention of the axe, not the axe that of the forest, and forests were familiar enough to the Israelites. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/46-22.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Egypt will hiss</span><br /><span class="heb">קוֹלָ֖הּ</span> <span class="translit">(qō·w·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> </span><span class="str2">A voice, sound</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like a slithering</span><br /><span class="heb">יֵלֵ֑ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(yê·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">snake,</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּנָּחָ֣שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(kan·nā·ḥāš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5175.htm">Strong's 5175: </a> </span><span class="str2">A serpent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the enemy will advance</span><br /><span class="heb">יֵלֵ֔כוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yê·lê·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in force;</span><br /><span class="heb">בְחַ֣יִל</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·ḥa·yil)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2428.htm">Strong's 2428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with axes</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְקַרְדֻּמּוֹת֙</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·qar·dum·mō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7134.htm">Strong's 7134: </a> </span><span class="str2">An axe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they will come</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּ֣אוּ</span> <span class="translit">(bā·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against her</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֔הּ</span> <span class="translit">(lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">like woodsmen cutting down trees.</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּחֹטְבֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(kə·ḥō·ṭə·ḇê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2404.htm">Strong's 2404: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut or gather wood</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/46-22.htm">Jeremiah 46:22 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/46-22.htm">Jeremiah 46:22 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/46-22.htm">Jeremiah 46:22 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/46-22.htm">Jeremiah 46:22 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/46-22.htm">Jeremiah 46:22 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/46-22.htm">Jeremiah 46:22 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/46-22.htm">Jeremiah 46:22 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/46-22.htm">Jeremiah 46:22 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/46-22.htm">Jeremiah 46:22 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/46-22.htm">Jeremiah 46:22 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/46-22.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 46:22 The sound of it shall go like (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/46-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 46:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 46:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/46-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 46:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 46:23" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>