Expectant Preparation For Battle (Jeremiah 46:3-4).
The prophecy commences with a vivid picture of preparation for battle, as the Egyptian army prepared to face the enemy. Some see in this the Babylonian preparations, but the whole context appears to have in mind the Egyptians (although note Jeremiah 46:6).
‘Prepare you the buckler and shield,
And draw near to battle.
Harness the chariot horses,
And mount your horses,
And stand forth with your helmets,
Furbish the spears,
Put on the coats of mail.'
How proudly the Egyptian army would have prepared itself. They dressed both their large (rectangular or oval) and small (usually round) shields, they prepared to advance onto the battlefield, they harnessed their chariots and mounted their horses, they put on their leather helmets ready for battle, their infantrymen prepared their spears and donned their ‘coats of mail' (possibly made up of metal strips attached to their jerkins). They were so sure of themselves as they stood forth and drew near to do battle with the Babylonians and their allies.