Jeremiah 49:35Thus says Yahweh of Armies: Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.
The setting
Babylon, ~593 BC. Jeremiah dictates oracles against foreign nations. Elam (modern southwest Iran) was known for skilled archers whose composite bows were feared across the ancient world...
The emotion here: burdened by delivering devastating news about distant peoples
The original word
qeshet (קֶשֶׁת) — the composite bow, symbol of military dominance and national strength
Why it matters
Elam's archers were so renowned they served as mercenaries in Babylonian and Assyrian armies
Read with care
What most readers miss in Jeremiah 49:35
Breaking 'the bow' meant destroying their entire military identity and economic foundation
Common misconceptionPeople think this is just ancient history, but Jeremiah is explaining that God's justice reaches every corner of earth — no nation is beyond accountability.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Jeremiah 49:35
Bible Genome reading
Jeremiah 49:35 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Jeremiah 49:35 comes from the book of Jeremiah, written during the Exile period. These words are attributed to God. The dominant emotion in this verse is angry, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the prophecy genre of biblical literature. Key themes include divine power, military defeat, sovereignty. Notable phrases: break the bow of Elam; chief of their might. This verse contains a promise of God. This verse contains prophecy.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same angry
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'”
— Joel 3:10
“You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!”
— Matthew 23:24
“Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husba…”
— Amos 4:1
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can't stand your solemn assemblies.”
— Amos 5:21
“Your eyes shall not pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
— Deuteronomy 19:21
Your reflection
What does Jeremiah 49:35 mean to you, today?
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