Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.
This prophecy stands within Jeremiah's pronouncements of doom upon the kingdoms surrounding Israel. It belongs to that section of the book containing prophecies against foreign nations, especially Babylon.
The bow of Elam is the chief symbol and source of its military strength. The Lord himself declares that he will break that strength. The bow is thus an example of the weapons associated with state power.
Elam was among the powers destined to fall before Nebuchadnezzar. His Chaldeans greatly harassed and nearly destroyed some Arab tribes. At the overthrow of Babylon by the Medes, God would break Elam's bow, the chief source of its strength. The broken bow represents the weakness of the nations and their inability to oppose the Medes.
Reliance on weapons could not secure Elam's future, for God could bring its power to nothing and leave it vulnerable to its enemies. He can break the military strength on which a nation depends and make even proud kingdoms fear before their enemies. Earthly power cannot thwart his purpose, and he can establish his throne over the ruins of powers that oppose him.
This prophecy stands within Jeremiah's pronouncements of doom upon the kingdoms surrounding Israel. It belongs to that section of the book containing prophecies against foreign nations, especially Babylon.
The bow of Elam is the chief symbol and source of its military strength. The Lord himself declares that he will break that strength. The bow is thus an example of the weapons associated with state power.
Elam was among the powers destined to fall before Nebuchadnezzar. His Chaldeans greatly harassed and nearly destroyed some Arab tribes. At the overthrow of Babylon by the Medes, God would break Elam's bow, the chief source of its strength. The broken bow represents the weakness of the nations and their inability to oppose the Medes.
Reliance on weapons could not secure Elam's future, for God could bring its power to nothing and leave it vulnerable to its enemies. He can break the military strength on which a nation depends and make even proud kingdoms fear before their enemies. Earthly power cannot thwart his purpose, and he can establish his throne over the ruins of powers that oppose him.