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Revelation 6:15
And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

beaten down [heb] fled a flight

Jeremiah 46:15
Why are thy valiantmen swept away? they stood not, because the LORD did drive them.

Genesis 19:17
And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

2 Kings 7:6,7
For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses,even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us…

fear

Jeremiah 6:25
Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemyand fearis on every side.

Jeremiah 20:3,4,10
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, The LORD hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magormissabib…

Jeremiah 49:29
Their tents and their flocks shall they take away: they shall take to themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, and their camels; and they shall cry unto them, Fearis on every side.

They are terrified,
The fear described here is profound and overwhelming. In the context of ancient warfare, terror often preceded defeat, as morale was crucial for victory. This fear is indicative of the psychological warfare that God uses against Egypt, fulfilling His judgment. The terror can be seen as a divine intervention, where God instills fear to accomplish His purposes, similar to how He caused confusion among Israel's enemies in other biblical accounts (e.g.,Judges 7:22).

they are retreating;
The retreat signifies a breakdown in the military strategy and confidence of Egypt's forces. Historically, Egypt was a powerful nation, often seen as invincible. This retreat marks a significant turning point, highlighting the vulnerability of even the mightiest nations when they oppose God's will. It echoes the theme of divine retribution and the futility of relying on human strength against God's decrees.

their warriors are defeated,
The defeat of the warriors underscores the totality of Egypt's downfall. In ancient cultures, warriors were esteemed for their strength and bravery. Their defeat symbolizes the collapse of Egypt's military might and the failure of its gods and idols to protect them. This phrase connects to the broader biblical narrative where God consistently demonstrates His power over the nations and their false deities (e.g.,Exodus 12:12).

they flee in haste without looking back;
This imagery of fleeing without looking back conveys panic and disorder. It suggests a complete rout, where the soldiers are so consumed by fear that they abandon all sense of duty and honor. This mirrors the flight of Lot's wife inGenesis 19:26, where looking back signifies attachment to the past and disobedience. Here, it emphasizes the irreversible nature of God's judgment on Egypt.

terror is on every side!”
The phrase "terror is on every side" is a recurring motif in Jeremiah, often used to describe the inescapable nature of God's judgment (e.g.,Jeremiah 6:25, 20:3). It paints a picture of total encirclement by fear, leaving no avenue for escape. This comprehensive terror serves as a warning to all nations that oppose God, illustrating the completeness of His justice.

declares the LORD.
The declaration by the LORD affirms the divine authority and certainty of the prophecy. It is not merely a human prediction but a statement from God Himself, ensuring its fulfillment. This underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and His active role in the affairs of nations. The phrase also serves as a reminder of the prophetic office, where the prophet speaks not on his own behalf but as a mouthpiece for God, reinforcing the trustworthiness and seriousness of the message.

Jeremiah’s exclamation shows the prophet suddenly witnessing a vision of Egypt’s army collapsing. The question captures surprise—Egypt had long seemed invincible to surrounding nations. • Jeremiah often opens visions with a startled “Why?” (Jeremiah 4:21; 14:8). • Habakkuk voiced a similar shock: “Why do You make me see iniquity?” (Habakkuk 1:3). The phrase reminds us that God lets His servants see what ordinary eyes miss, so that the coming judgment can be announced with certainty.

Egypt’s seasoned soldiers are now gripped by fear. • “The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him” (Isaiah 19:1) predicted nationwide panic. • When Israel crossed the Red Sea, terror fell on Egypt (Exodus 15:16); the same God can repeat judgment generations later. What man boasts in today can be swept away tomorrow when the Lord turns courage into dread.

The army once marching in confidence now turns its back. • After Babylon’s rise, “The king of Egypt did not march out of his land again” (2 Kings 24:7). • Jeremiah later says, “Her mercenaries also retreat” (Jeremiah 46:21). A forced retreat undercuts human pride and exposes false security in military strength.

Defeat is total—officers and elite troops fall together. • “Why have your mighty ones been laid low? They cannot stand” (Jeremiah 46:15). • Ezekiel echoes, “Egypt’s proud strength will come to an end” (Ezekiel 30:18). God’s sovereignty over battles ensures that no earthly power can resist His decreed outcome.

Panic drives the rout; self-preservation overrides discipline. • Lot was told, “Run for your lives! Do not look back” (Genesis 19:17); here the soldiers do it instinctively. • In prophetic warnings to Judah, God had said the same picture would occur (Deuteronomy 28:25). When God’s hand moves, even trained warriors scatter like startled animals.

Jeremiah’s trademark phrase “Magor-Missabib” appears again (Jeremiah 20:3). • “I hear the whispering of many—terror on every side!” (Psalm 31:13). • “Do not go out on the road, for the enemy has a sword; terror is on every side” (Jeremiah 6:25). The expression sums up utter helplessness: danger presses from every direction, leaving no refuge except the Lord Himself.

The closing words anchor the vision in divine authority. • “The mouth of the LORD has spoken” (Isaiah 1:20) carries judicial weight; so does “declares the LORD” throughout Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:8; 4:28). Because the statement comes from God, its fulfillment is guaranteed—history must bend to His pronouncement.

Jeremiah 46:5 portrays Egypt’s proud army crumbling in sudden panic: terrified, retreating, defeated, fleeing headlong under all-encompassing terror. Each phrase shows the Lord dismantling human strength to prove that He alone rules nations and wars. What seemed unshakable falls instantly when God speaks. The verse therefore urges every reader to place trust not in earthly power but in the unassailable word the Lord has declared.