A quiver is a pouch or sack for carrying arrows. Translators can have “arrow sacks” if there is no word in their language. Their quiver is like an open tomb indicates that the enemies’ arrows are deadly. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch retains the imagery in part, but makes sufficient adjustment otherwise to be helpful for its readers: “From the quivers of its warriors come death and destruction.” Good News Translation changes the order of the two clauses and translates “Their archers are mighty soldiers who kill without mercy.”

In place of Their quiver is some scholars believe the text should read “their jaws are,” and this proposal is followed by Revised English Bible, though without support of Hebrew manuscripts. Attention is drawn to what would then be the parallel between this verse and Psa 5.9, but this assumed parallel forms no basis on which to alter the present text.

They are all mighty men is represented in Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch by “they have all proved themselves in battle.” One commentator understands the Hebrew text to be better understood here as “they eat more than locusts do.” This would fit well with the verse that follows, but no translations have followed this interpretation.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .