Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jeremiah 49:35
What does Jeremiah 49:35 mean?
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Jeremiah 49:35
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This verse doesn't just predict the downfall of Elam; it strikes at the very heart of their identity. The "bow" wasn't merely a weapon, but the symbol of their entire military might and cultural pride, on which their whole sense of power rested.
Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This prophecy comes as part of Jeremiah's pronouncements against various nations, specifically targeting Elam, a people renowned for their skilled archers who formed the backbone of their military might. Following this declaration of Elam's imminent military collapse, the passage details God's judgment upon them, involving scattering and conquest by multiple enemies from all directions, underscoring a complete dismantling of their power.
Elam's strength wasn't just any strength; it was deeply tied to a specific skill and weapon. What made this 'bow' so central to their might?
Jeremiah calls Elam's power their 'bow,' which commentary confirms was their primary weapon and the source of their military prowess. Historical writers like Strabo and Herodotus noted the Elamites, and later Persians (whom Elam represented in this prophecy), were renowned archers. This wasn't just about having bows; it was about mastery – their identity and their offensive power were bound to this skill. When God says He will 'break the bow,' He's not just disarming them; He's shattering the very foundation of their strength and pride.
This prophecy isn't just a political prediction; it's a divine declaration. What does it reveal about God's authority over nations?
The phrase 'Thus says the LORD of hosts' is crucial. It grounds this judgment not in human conflict or shifting alliances, but in the ultimate authority of God, the commander of all heavenly armies. 'Elam' here represents a powerful nation, one that likely posed a threat or stood in opposition to God's people. God declares His intent to dismantle their primary military strength. This demonstrates that no earthly power, no matter how formidable, can stand against the Lord. He has the authority to bring down nations and to orchestrate their defeat.
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YHWH Sabaoth · Hebrew Noun
A title for God emphasizing His absolute sovereignty over all creation, including the spiritual armies of heaven and all earthly powers.
qesheth · Hebrew Noun
A weapon of war, often serving as a symbol of military strength, national power, and human self-reliance.
This prophecy against Elam highlights God's judgment on nations whose strength (symbolized by their famous archers) is used in opposition to His purposes, foretelling the eventual breaking of their power as they are absorbed by rising empires.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar carries off many Jewish captives, including Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile and a shift in regional power.
550 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus unites the Medes and Persians, establishing the powerful Achaemenid Empire and challenging Babylonian dominance.
c. 547 BC— this verse
Conquest of Elam by Persia
Cyrus the Great conquers Elam, incorporating its people and military strength into the growing Persian Empire. Elam's military prowess, particularly its archery, becomes a key component of Persian power.
539 BC
Fall of Babylon
Cyrus the Great captures Babylon, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire and paving the way for the return of Jewish exiles.
c. 480 BC
Persian Invasions of Greece
The Persian Empire, with its Elamite archers, launches major campaigns against Greek city-states, showcasing its military might across the ancient world.
This passage directly supports the idea of Elam's military prowess, specifically mentioning Elam carrying a quiver, highlighting their reliance on archery in warfare, just as Jeremiah 49:35 emphasizes breaking their bow.
Ezekiel 27:10While focusing on Tyre, this verse describes nations contributing skilled warriors and archers to its defense, illustrating how specific martial skills, like Elam's archery, were crucial components of ancient military might.
Psalm 46:9This psalm speaks of God making wars cease by breaking the bow and shattering the spear, providing a parallel divine action to the breaking of Elam's bow, emphasizing God's ultimate control over warfare and the instruments of destruction.
Romans 8:31This New Testament passage, in a spiritual context, asks 'If God is for us, who can be against us?', echoing the ultimate power of God demonstrated in Jeremiah's prophecy against Elam and assuring believers that no earthly might can ultimately stand against God's purposes.
clarkeJeremiah 49:35: "Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might."
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 Isaiah 22:6 . Strabo, Livy, and others speak of their eminence in archery.
jfbJeremiah 49:35: "Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might."
- bow—Elam was famed for its bowmen (Isa 22:6).chief of their might—in opposition to "bow," that is, bowmen, who constituted their main strength.
This verse doesn't just predict the downfall of Elam; it strikes at the very heart of their identity. The "bow" wasn't merely a weapon, but the symbol of their entire military might and cultural pride, on which their whole sense of power rested.
This prophecy comes as part of Jeremiah's pronouncements against various nations, specifically targeting Elam, a people renowned for their skilled archers who formed the backbone of their military might. Following this declaration of Elam's imminent military collapse, the passage details God's judgment upon them, involving scattering and conquest by multiple enemies from all directions, underscoring a complete dismantling of their power.
This prophecy comes as part of Jeremiah's pronouncements against various nations, specifically targeting Elam, a people renowned for their skilled archers who formed the backbone of their military might. Following this declaration of Elam's imminent military collapse, the passage details God's judgment upon them, involving scattering and conquest by multiple enemies from all directions, underscoring a complete dismantling of their power.
"Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might." — This verse doesn't just predict the downfall of Elam; it strikes at the very heart of their identity. The "bow" wasn't merely a weapon, but the symbol of their entire military might and cultural prid…
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Last reviewed October 2026