Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 49:35
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.
35. the bow of Elam ] For Elam’s prowess with the bow cp. Isa 22:6.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The bow was the national weapon of Elam, and therefore the chief of their might, that on which their strength in war depended.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 35. I will break the bow of Elam] They were eminent archers; and had acquired their power and eminence by their dexterity in the use of the bow. See Isa 22:6. Strabo, Livy, and others speak of their eminence in archery.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
All those Eastern people were famous for the use of the bow, the Elamites in special, Isa 22:6; those bows were the chief of their offensive armour, though by the chief of their might may also be meant their most mighty and strong warriors. This prophecy is probably judged to be fulfilled when the Persians made a defection from the king of the Medes, who was son-in-law to Nebuchadnezzar. Others think that this prophecy was accomplished by Alexander the emperor of Greece, or rather by his successors.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
35. bowElam was famed for itsbowmen (Isa 22:6).
chief of their mightinopposition to “bow,” that is, bowmen, who constituted theirmain strength.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I will break the bow of Elam,…. The inhabitants of this country were famous for their skill in archery; [See comments on Isa 22:6]; this the Lord threatens to break, so that it, should be useless, and of no more service to them to defend themselves, or annoy others. Their strength, as the Targum; that in which their great strength and security lay; in which they put their trust and confidence, as follows:
the chief of their might; which may be interpreted, by way of apposition, of their bow, the chief instrument of their might and power; or may design their mighty men, the archers themselves, who should be destroyed, even Elam itself, and all the inhabitants of it; especially their warriors, who should be slain or carried captive.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Then God, in the first place, declares that he would break the bow of Elam The Parthians and other Orientals, we know, were very skillful archers; for every nation possesses its own peculiar excellency in connection with war. Some excel in the use of one kind of weapons, and others in the use of another kind. Formerly light infantry were in high repute among the Italians; the Gauls excelled in mailed horsemen. Though, now, all things are changed, yet still every nation differs as to its peculiar art in war. Now historians testify that the Orientals were very skillful in the use of the bow and arrow. It is, then, no wonder that the Prophet speaks of the bow of this people, and calls it the chief part of their strength, as they excelled in this sort of fighting. The Parthians were indeed much dreaded by the Romans; they pretended to flee, and then they turned back and made an impetuous attack on their enemies. They had also arrows dipped in poison. By these means they conquered large armies. For the Romans laid by their darts and fought hand in hand, and carried on a standing fight, so to speak; but when the Parthians kept discharging their arrows, they almost always fought unsuccessfully with them. I refer to this, that we may know that the bow was not without reason called the chief of their might, for it was by it that they were superior to other nations, though they could not fight hand in hand nor with drawn swords. It afterwards follows —
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(35) I will break the bow of Elam.As in Isa. 22:6; Herod. vii. 61, Elam was conspicuous for its archers. We are reminded of the account which Herodotus gives (ii. 136) of the three things taught to the youth of Persiato ride, to draw the bow, and to speak the truth. This weapon was the chief of their might.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
35. Bow of Elam The national weapon of the Elamites.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jer 49:35 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.
Ver. 35. Behold, I will break the bow of Elam. ] In the use whereof they excelled, being very skilful archers. Isa 22:6 Guns today carry it as bows of old.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Jer 49:35-39
35Thus says the LORD of hosts,
‘Behold, I am going to break the bow of Elam,
The finest of their might.
36I will bring upon Elam the four winds
From the four ends of heaven,
And will scatter them to all these winds;
And there will be no nation
To which the outcasts of Elam will not go.
37So I will shatter Elam before their enemies
And before those who seek their lives;
And I will bring calamity upon them,
Even My fierce anger,’ declares the LORD,
‘And I will send out the sword after them
Until I have consumed them.
38Then I will set My throne in Elam
And destroy out of it king and princes,’
Declares the LORD.
39’But it will come about in the last days
That I will restore the fortunes of Elam,’
Declares the LORD.
Jer 49:35 break the bow This was an idiom for the destruction of a nation’s military power (cf. Jer 51:56; Psa 46:9; Isa 22:6). Apparently Elam was famous for its archers.
Jer 49:36 the four winds of heaven The number four is often used to represent the whole world. See Special Topic: Symbolic Numbers in Scripture . The inhabitants of Elam will be scattered out of existence but notice God’s promise in Jer 49:39. See note at Jer 49:6, where the same terminology and promise is given to Ammon (but not to Edom).
Jer 49:37 Again common imagery is used as before in Jer 9:16.
Jer 49:38 I will set My throne in Elam This seems to be a reference to Nebuchandezzar’s control of the area, functioning as YHWH’s chosen vessel of judgment.
Jer 49:39 This is a repeated promise and hope (cf. Jer 30:3; Jer 30:18; Jer 31:23; Jer 32:44; Jer 33:7; Jer 33:11; Jer 33:26; Jer 48:47; Jer 49:6; Jer 49:39). See full note at Jer 48:47; Jer 49:6. This seems to be an eschatological reference (cf. Deu 30:3-5).
NASB, NRSVI shall restore
NKJVI will bring back
The MT has return (BDB 996, KB 1477, Qal IMPERFECT but the Qere form is Hiphil IMPERFECT of the same VERB).
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
break: Jer 50:14, Jer 50:29, Jer 51:56, Psa 46:9, Isa 22:6
the bow: Strabo says that the mountainous part of Elymais chiefly bred archers; and Livy speaks of Elymei sagittarii “the Elymean archers.
Reciprocal: Psa 18:34 – so that Hos 1:5 – I will
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 49:35. Break the bow is a reference to their defeat in war because one principal means of warfare in ancient times was the bow and arrow.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jer 49:35-38. Behold, I will break the bow of Elam The Elamites were famous archers, as this expression intimates, as also Isaiahs words, Isa 22:6; And Elam bare the quiver. Strabo also says, that the mountainous parts of Elymais bred chiefly archers; , lib. 16. p. 744. Livy, and other heathen writers, also speak of the Elyman archers. Upon Elam will I bring the four winds, &c. I will bring enemies upon Elam from every quarter; and scatter them to every quarter. Wars and commotions are metaphorically denoted by winds. And I will send the sword after them Even after they are driven out of their own country, my judgments shall pursue them. And I will set my throne in Elam As Nebuchadnezzar acted under the commission of God, and had authority from him to conquer this and the neighbouring nations, and is called Gods servant, the establishing of his power was in effect the setting up of the throne or dominion of Jehovah. Some, however, think this is spoken of the Persian monarchy, established there by Cyrus, who is expressly called, in Scripture, Gods anointed one, whom he had particularly chosen.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
49:35 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the {h} bow of Elam, the chief of their might.
(h) Because the Persians were good archers, he shows that the thing in which they put their trust would not profit them.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Yahweh announced that He would break Elam’s military might, like someone would break a warrior’s bow. The Elamites were famous archers (Isa 22:6).