Definition: Wherefore have I seen them dismayed [and] turned away back? and their mighty ones are beaten down, and are fled apace, and look not back: [for] fear [was] round about, saith the LORD.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 46:5. It's a really powerful and dramatic passage that speaks to God’s judgment on Israel. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Story: Imagine Israel is in a terrible situation – perhaps they’re facing a massive invasion, or they’ve made a big mistake, and they’re deeply worried and scared. Jeremiah is describing a moment when these people completely stop moving forward and turn around, running away from God's presence. Let’s unpack the words: “Wherefore have I seen them dismayed [and] turned away back?” – This means Jeremiah saw that Israel was filled with fear and sadness. “Wherefore” is a word that means "why" or "because." So, he saw why they were distressed. “and their mighty ones are beaten down, and are fled apace…” - This is the worst part. “Mighty ones” refers to the leaders of Israel – the kings, nobles, and powerful people. They’re being defeated and forced to flee in terror. "Fled apace" means they ran away quickly and desperately. “…and look not back.” - This is a crucial detail. They stopped moving forward, didn't even glance back at God or their past mistakes. It was like a wall of fear built around them. “[for] fear [was] round about, saith the LORD.” – The Lord (God) says that fear was present . It wasn’t just a feeling; it was overwhelming. The word "saith" means "it is said." This verse emphasizes that God is directly acknowledging the fear of those people. What does this all mean? This passage isn't about Israel being inherently bad. It’s a warning and a display of God’s power. It suggests: God sees their fear: He knows they are scared and anxious. God is angry: His presence is diminished because of their fear. God is controlling events: He is deliberately setting things in motion to show how serious the consequences can be when people lose their way and turn against God. In short, it's a story about a time when Israel’s fear became so overwhelming that they ran away from God, demonstrating the seriousness of his judgment. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give an example of a similar situation in the Bible? Talk about what this verse might be trying to communicate about human nature and faith?