Jeremiah 46:15 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 46:15 mean?

Jeremiah 46:15 asks why the strong warriors have been swept away and says they could not stand because the LORD drove them away. The verse points out that even the bravest soldiers could not hold their ground when God acted against them.

In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking about Egypt’s army, likely addressing the Egyptians or describing their defeat. The context is a prophecy about Egypt’s coming loss to Babylon. The verse highlights that the defeat is not just due to military weakness, but because God Himself—referred to as the LORD—caused their downfall.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 46:15

• "valiant" (אַבִּירִים, ’abbîrîm): This word refers to mighty or strong men, often used for warriors or champions. Here, it emphasizes that even the most powerful fighters were helpless.
• "drive" (הָדַח, hādaḥ): This verb means to push or drive away, often with force. The verse stresses that it was the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH) who actively caused the warriors to flee, not just ordinary circumstances.

Why Jeremiah 46:15 matters

• The verse clarifies that Egypt’s defeat was not simply a military failure, but a result of divine intervention—God Himself was behind their loss.
• Jeremiah 46:15 connects to the wider passage by showing that God controls the fate of nations, not just Israel but also powerful empires like Egypt.
• The verse helps readers understand that human strength and courage are no match when God decides to act, a theme that runs through many prophetic writings.