John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 46:9

"Go up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men go forth: Cush and Put, that handle the shield; and the Ludim, that handle and bend the bow." — Jeremiah 46:9 (ASV)

He continues with the same subject and enumerates whatever might discredit his prophecy. For when the faithful saw that the Egyptians embarked on that expedition not only with immense forces but also had, as foreign allies, the Ethiopians and the Libyans, and even soldiers from overseas Lydia—and when they saw hired soldiers from all regions joined with the Egyptians—it was scarcely believable that such an army could be put to flight. The Prophet then says here that even though Pharaoh hired the Ethiopians, the Libyans, and the Lydians, he would still perish with all these forces.

He again speaks in the name of Pharaoh: Ascend, you horses; toss, you chariots, and let the valiant come forth. This 'coming forth' may refer to the lands from where they came. He mentions first the Ethiopians, who were near the Egyptians, though separated from them. Then he adds the people of Libya, who were Africans, or who were located in the middle between Egypt and Africa.

Then he says that they took hold of the shield. He points out their principal armor, not that they were without a helmet, sword, and other arms, but they mainly trusted in their shields. Just as we know that the Macedonians wore the pelta and were remarkable for that piece of armor, so the Prophet says that the Ethiopians and Libyans were furnished with bucklers or shields.

He also mentions the Lydians, who were from another region, even from the opposite shore of the sea; for we know that the Lydians were in Asia Minor, while the Egyptians were situated between Africa and Judea. The Mediterranean Sea was therefore between them. It thus appears that Pharaoh procured auxiliaries from a distance and at great expense when he undertook this war. And it is also probable that other nations were hired; but the Prophet mentions only the Ethiopians, Libyans, and Lydians, and states that those named last took hold of the bow because they were the best archers.