Jeremiah Chapter 46
1 The LORD's word which came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations.
2 Of Egypt: concerning the army of Pharaoh Necoh king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon struck in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah.
3 "Prepare the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle!
4 Harness the horses, and get up, you horsemen, and stand up with your helmets. Polish the spears, put on the coats of mail.
5 Why have I seen it? They are dismayed and are turned backward. Their mighty ones are beaten down, have fled in haste, and don't look back. Terror is on every side," says the LORD.
6 "Don't let the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape. In the north by the river Euphrates they have stumbled and fallen.
7 "Who is this who rises up like the Nile, whose waters toss themselves like the rivers?
8 Egypt rises up like the Nile, and his waters toss themselves like the rivers. He says, 'I will rise up. I will cover the earth. I will destroy cities and its inhabitants.'
9 Go up, you horses! Rage, you chariots! Let the mighty men go out: Cush and Put, who handle the shield; and the Ludim, who handle and bend the bow.
10 For that day is of the Lord, the LORD of Armies, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge himself of his adversaries. The sword will devour and be satiated, and will drink its fill of their blood; for the Lord, the LORD of Armies, has a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.
11 Go up into Gilead, and take balm, virgin daughter of Egypt. You use many medicines in vain. There is no healing for you.
12 The nations have heard of your shame, and the earth is full of your cry; for the mighty man has stumbled against the mighty, they both fall together."
13 The word that the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet, how that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon should come and strike the land of Egypt.
14 "Declare in Egypt, publish in Migdol, and publish in Memphis and in Tahpanhes: say, 'Stand up, and prepare; for the sword has devoured around you.'
15 Why are your strong ones swept away? They didn't stand, because the LORD pushed them.
16 He made many to stumble. Yes, they fell on one another. They said, 'Arise! Let's go again to our own people, and to the land of our birth, from the oppressing sword.'
17 They cried there, 'Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he has let the appointed time pass by.'
18 "As I live," says the King, whose name is the LORD of Armies, "surely like Tabor amongst the mountains, and like Carmel by the sea, so he will come.
19 You daughter who dwells in Egypt, furnish yourself to go into captivity; for Memphis will become a desolation, and will be burnt up, without inhabitant.
20 "Egypt is a very beautiful heifer; but destruction out of the north has come. It has come.
21 Also her hired men in the middle of her are like calves of the stall; for they also are turned back. They have fled away together. They didn't stand, for the day of their calamity has come on them, the time of their visitation.
22 Its sound will go like the serpent; for they will march with an army, and come against her with axes, as wood cutters.
23 They will cut down her forest," says the LORD, "though it can't be searched; because they are more than the locusts, and are innumerable.
24 The daughter of Egypt will be disappointed; she will be delivered into the hand of the people of the north."
25 The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: "Behold, I will punish Amon of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with her gods, and her kings; even Pharaoh, and those who trust in him.
26 I will deliver them into the hand of those who seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants. Afterwards it will be inhabited, as in the days of old," says the LORD.
27 "But don't you be afraid, Jacob my servant. Don't be dismayed, Israel; for, behold, I will save you from afar, and your offspring from the land of their captivity. Jacob will return, and will be quiet and at ease. No one will make him afraid.
28 Don't be afraid, O Jacob my servant," says the LORD; "for I am with you; for I will make a full end of all the nations where I have driven you; but I will not make a full end of you, but I will correct you in measure, and will in no way leave you unpunished."
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Jeremiah Chapter 46 Guide
The third and last section of the division containing the account of the prophet's ministry is occupied with his messages concerning the nations.
The first of these has to do with Egypt, and consists of two prophecies. The earlier one described the army of Egypt in its preparation and advance, and declared that this proud preparation of Egypt for battle was but the coming of the day of Jehovah's vengeance against Egypt. In general terms he predicted her doom, declaring that there would be no healing for her, and that the nations would hear of her shame.
The second distinctly predicted the defeat of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar, and yet affirmed that the king of Babylon would be but the instrument in the hand of Jehovah. In graphic and lofty language he described the coming of the foe and the discomfiture of Egypt, and carefully ascribed everything to the determinate counsel and activity of Jehovah. This prophecy ends with a message of comfort to Jacob, who, while afflicted, is yet not to be utterly destroyed, but to be corrected by judgment.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Jeremiah Chapter 46 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The defeat of the Egyptians. -- (1-12)
- Their overthrow after the siege of Tyre. -- (13-26)
- A promise of comfort to the Jews. -- (27,28)
Verses 1-12
The whole word of God is against those who obey not the gospel of Christ; but it is for those, even of the Gentiles, who turn to Him. The prophecy begins with Egypt. Let them strengthen themselves with all the art and interest they have, yet it shall be all in vain. The wounds God inflicts on his enemies, cannot be healed by medicines. Power and prosperity soon pass from one to another in this changing world.
Verses 13-28
Those who encroached on others, shall now be themselves encroached on. Egypt is now like a very fair heifer, not accustomed to the yoke of subjection; but destruction comes out of the north: the Chaldeans shall come. Comfort and peace are spoken to the Israel of God, designed to encourage them when the judgments of God were abroad among the nations. He will be with them, and only correct them in measure; and will not punish them with everlasting destruction from his presence.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.