Jeremiah 5:16

16 The bags they carry their arrows in are like an open grave. All of their soldiers are mighty.

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 The LORD God rules over all. He says to me, "The people have spoken those words. So my words will be like fire in your mouth. I will make the people like wood. And the fire will burn them up."

15 "People of Israel, listen to me," announces the Lord. "I am bringing against you a nation from far away. It is an old nation. And it will last for a long time. Its people speak a language you do not know. You can't understand what they are saying.

16 The bags they carry their arrows in are like an open grave. All of their soldiers are mighty.

17 They will eat up your crops and your food. They will strike down your sons and daughters. They will kill your sheep and cattle. They will destroy your vines and fig trees. You trust in your cities that have high walls around them. But the people in them will be killed with swords.

18 "In spite of that, even in those days I will not destroy you completely," announces the Lord.