Jeremiah 6:23

²¹ Therefore this is what the LORD says: “I will lay stumbling blocks before this people; fathers and sons alike will be staggered; friends and neighbors will perish.”

²² 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.

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 Zion.”

²⁴ We have heard the report; our hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped us, pain like that of a woman in labor.

²⁵ Do not go out to the fields; do not walk the road. For the enemy has a sword; terror is on every side.

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 Zion.”
KJV: They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion.
WEB: They take hold of bow and spear. They are cruel, and have no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride on horses, everyone set in array, as a man to the battle, against you, daughter of Zion.”
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 Zion.
DARBY: 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, set in array as a man for the battle, against thee, daughter of Zion.
BLB: Bow and spear they hold firmly—they [are] cruel, and they do not have compassion; their voice roars like the sea, and they ride on horses, arrayed as men for the battle, against you, O daughter of Zion!”

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 krigsmenn, mot deg, Sions datter!
OTB: De er bevæpnet med bue og spyd; de er grusomme og viser ingen nåde. Deres stemme brøler som havet når de rir på hester, oppstilt som en mann for kamp mot deg, Datter Sion.’
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 krigsmenn, mot dig, Sions datter!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Isaiah 13:18
Their bows will dash young men to pieces; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; they will not look with pity on the children.
Read in context
Jeremiah 50:42
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.
Read in context
Jeremiah 4:13
Behold, he advances like the clouds, his chariots like the whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined!
Read in context
Jeremiah 30:14
All your lovers have forgotten you; they no longer seek you, for I have struck you as an enemy would, with the discipline of someone cruel, because of your great iniquity and your numerous sins.
Read in context
Ezekiel 23:22–25
Therefore, Oholibah, this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will incite your lovers against you, those from whom you turned away in disgust. And I will bring them against you from every side—
Read in context
Habakkuk 1:6–10
For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans — that ruthless and impetuous nation which marches through the breadth of the earth to seize dwellings not their own.
Read in context
Jeremiah 5:16
Their quivers are like open graves; they are all mighty men.
Read in context
Jeremiah 4:29
Every city flees at the sound of the horseman and archer. They enter the thickets and climb among the rocks. Every city is abandoned; no inhabitant is left.
Read in context