Jeremiah 50:42

⁴⁰ As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah along with their neighbors,” declares the LORD, “no one will dwell there; no man will abide there.

⁴¹ Behold, an army is coming from the north; a great nation and many kings are stirred up from the ends of the earth.

They grasp the bow and spear; they are cruel and merciless. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride upon horses, lined up like men in formation against you, O Daughter of Babylon.

⁴³ The king of Babylon has heard the report, and his hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped him, pain like that of a woman in labor.

⁴⁴ Behold, one will come up like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan to the watered pasture. For in an instant I will chase Babylon from her land. Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this? For who is like Me, and who can challenge Me? What shepherd can stand against Me?”

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: They grasp the bow and spear; they are cruel and merciless. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride upon horses, lined up like men in formation against you, O Daughter of Babylon.
KJV: They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.
WEB: They take up bow and spear. They are cruel, and have no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea. They ride on horses, everyone set in array, as a man to the battle, against you, daughter of Babylon.
ASV: They lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, every one set in array, as a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.
DARBY: They lay hold of bow and spear; they are cruel, and will not shew mercy; their voice roareth like the sea, and they ride upon horses set in array like a man for the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.
BLB: The bow and the spear they hold firm; they [are] cruel and they do not have compassion. Their voice roars like the sea, and on horses they are riding, being arrayed like a man for the battle against you, O daughter of Babylon!

ÅB: Bue og spyd holder de i hånden, de er grusomme og skåner ingen; deres røst bruser som havet, og på hester kommer de ridende, rustet som en krigsmann, mot deg, Babels datter!
OTB: De er bevæpnet med buer og kastespyd; de er grusomme og uten nåde. Deres stemme brøler som havet mens de rir på hester; de kommer som menn i slagorden mot deg, Datter Babylon.
B1930: Bue og spyd holder de i hånden, de er grusomme og skåner ingen; deres røst bruser som havet, og på hester kommer de ridende, rustet som en krigsmann, mot dig, Babels datter!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Isaiah 5:30
In that day they will roar over it, like the roaring of the sea. If one looks over the land, he will see darkness and distress; even the light will be obscured by clouds.
Read in context
Isaiah 13:17–18
Behold, I will stir up against them the Medes, who have no regard for silver and no desire for gold.
Read in context
Isaiah 47:6
I was angry with My people; I profaned My heritage, and I placed them under your control. You showed them no mercy; even on the elderly you laid a most heavy yoke.
Read in context
Jeremiah 47:3
at the sound of the galloping hooves of stallions, the rumbling of chariots, and the clatter of their wheels. The fathers will not turn back for their sons; their hands will hang limp.
Read in context
Jeremiah 8:16
The snorting of enemy horses is heard from Dan. At the sound of the neighing of mighty steeds, the whole land quakes. They come to devour the land and everything in it, the city and all who dwell in it.
Read in context
Isaiah 14:6
It struck the peoples in anger with unceasing blows; it subdued the nations in rage with relentless persecution.
Read in context
Jeremiah 6:22–23
This is what the LORD says: “Behold, an army is coming from the land of the north; a great nation is stirred up from the ends of the earth.
Read in context
Psalms 137:8–9
O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, blessed is he who repays you as you have done to us.
Read in context