Jeremiah 5:16

16 Its weapons are deadly; its warriors are many.

Jeremiah 5:16 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 5:16

Their quiver is an open sepulchre
The Chaldeans used bows and arrows in fighting; and the quiver is a case for arrows; and the phrase denotes, that their arrows would do great execution, and be very mortal; so that a quiver of them would be as devouring as an open grave, into which many dead are cast. The Septuagint and Arabic versions have not this clause; and the Syriac version renders it, "whose throats are as open sepulchres"; see ( Romans 3:13 ) : they are all mighty men;
strong in body, of bold and courageous spirits, expert in war, and ever victorious; so that there was no hope of being delivered out of their hands.

Jeremiah 5:16 In-Context

14 Therefore, the LORD God of heavenly forces proclaims: Because you have spoken this way, I will put my words in your mouth as a fire; it will consume the people, who are but kindling.

15 I am about to bring a distant nation against you, people of Israel, declares the LORD. It is an established nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you don't know, whose speech you won't understand.

16 Its weapons are deadly; its warriors are many.

17 It will devour your harvest and food; it will devour your sons and daughters; it will devour your flocks and herds; it will devour your vines and fig trees; it will shatter your fortified towns in which you trust— with the sword!

18 Yet even in those days, declares the LORD, I won't completely destroy you.

Footnotes

• [a] Or Its quiver is like an open grave