Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.

JEREMIAH 49:35KJV
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Jeremiah 49:35 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 49:35 mean?

Jeremiah 49:35 says that God, speaking as the LORD of hosts, will break the bow of Elam, which is described as the main source of their strength. This means that God is declaring He will take away Elam’s military power, especially the weapon they rely on most.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is delivering a message from God to the people of Elam, an ancient kingdom east of Babylon. The “bow” was a symbol of Elam’s military might, so breaking it means God will defeat or weaken them. This is part of a larger section where Jeremiah announces God’s judgment on various nations surrounding Israel.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 49:35

  • “LORD” (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, emphasizing that this message comes directly from Him, not just from Jeremiah.
  • “hosts” (צְבָאוֹת, tseva’ot): This word means “armies” or “heavenly armies,” highlighting God’s authority and power over all forces, earthly and spiritual.
  • “break” (שָׁבַר, shavar): This verb means to shatter or destroy completely, stressing the total loss of Elam’s strength.
  • “bow” (קֶשֶׁת, qeshet): The bow was the chief weapon of Elam, so breaking it means removing their main defense and pride.
  • “chief” (רֵאשִׁית, re’shit): This word means “beginning” or “chief,” pointing out that the bow was the foremost part of Elam’s might.
  • “might” (גְּבוּרָה, gevurah): This word means strength or power, underlining that what is being taken away is the very heart of Elam’s military force.

Why Jeremiah 49:35 matters

  • Jeremiah 49:35 clarifies that God’s judgment targets the very thing Elam trusts in most, not just their land or people but their military strength.
  • The verse connects to a larger theme in Jeremiah where God shows He is sovereign over all nations, not just Israel.
  • Understanding the specific mention of the bow helps readers see how God’s message was tailored to each nation’s unique strengths and weaknesses.

Where else these words appear

“Elam” Hebrew H5867 · used in 27 verses

  • Genesis 10:22 The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
  • Ezra 8:7 And of the sons of Elam; Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males.
  • Isaiah 22:6 And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.

“chief” Hebrew H7225 · used in 49 verses

  • Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
  • Deuteronomy 33:21 And he provided the first part for himself, because there, in a portion of the lawgiver, was he seated; and he came with the heads of the people, he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgments with Israel.
  • Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

“might” Hebrew H1369 · used in 61 verses

  • Exodus 32:18 And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.
  • Job 12:13 With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
  • Psalms 150:2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

“bow” Hebrew H7198 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
  • 2 Chronicles 17:17 And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.
  • Isaiah 41:2 Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow.