Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates.

JEREMIAH 46:6KJV
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Jeremiah 46:6 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 46:6 mean?

Jeremiah 46:6 describes how, in the coming judgment, neither fast runners nor strong warriors will be able to escape; all will stumble and fall as they flee northward by the Euphrates River. The verse shows that no human strength or speed will be enough to avoid the disaster God is bringing.

In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking God’s message about Egypt’s defeat by Babylon at the Battle of Carchemish. The verse paints a vivid picture of panic and helplessness among Egypt’s soldiers, emphasizing that even the swiftest and mightiest will not escape what is coming. The mention of the Euphrates River situates the event in a real historical battle in the north, far from Egypt’s home territory.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 46:6

  • "swift" (קַל, qal): This word means someone who is fast or nimble. The verse stresses that even those who are quick on their feet cannot outrun the coming judgment.
  • "mighty man" (גִּבּוֹר, gibbor): This term refers to a strong or valiant warrior. Jeremiah uses it to show that physical strength or bravery will not help in this situation.
  • "stumble" (כָּשַׁל, kashal) and "fall" (נָפַל, naphal): These words highlight not just defeat but a total collapse—soldiers will not just retreat, but will trip and fall in their flight, showing complete helplessness.
  • "north" (צָפוֹן, tsafon) and "Euphrates" (פְּרָת, perat): These place names root the prophecy in a specific historical setting, pointing to the famous battle site where Egypt faced Babylon.

Why Jeremiah 46:6 matters

  • Jeremiah 46:6 makes clear that no amount of human ability—whether speed or strength—can overcome the judgment God has declared, correcting any idea that some might escape by their own power.
  • The verse connects directly to the historical defeat of Egypt at Carchemish, anchoring the prophecy in real events and showing God’s control over nations and history.
  • By describing the downfall of even the mightiest, Jeremiah 46:6 sets the tone for the whole chapter, which is a warning to all who trust in their own resources instead of listening to God.

Where else these words appear

“swift” Hebrew H7031 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Samuel 2:18 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
  • Isaiah 18:2 That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!
  • Lamentations 4:19 Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.

“Euphrates” Hebrew H6578 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 2:14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
  • 2 Kings 23:29 In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.
  • Jeremiah 13:5 So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me.

“stumble” Hebrew H3782 · used in 59 verses

  • Leviticus 26:37 And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies.
  • Isaiah 3:8 For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.
  • Jeremiah 50:32 And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all round about him.

“escape” Hebrew H4422 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 19:17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
  • 2 Chronicles 16:7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.
  • Isaiah 37:38 And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.