Jeremiah 46:1-12

A Message About Egypt

1 This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations:
2 Concerning Egypt: This is the message against the army of Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt, which was defeated at Carchemish on the Euphrates River by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah:
3 “Prepare your shields, both large and small, and march out for battle!
4 Harness the horses, mount the steeds! Take your positions with helmets on! Polish your spears, put on your armor!
5 What do I see? They are terrified, they are retreating, their warriors are defeated. They flee in haste without looking back, and there is terror on every side,” declares the LORD.
6 “The swift cannot flee nor the strong escape. In the north by the River Euphrates they stumble and fall.
7 “Who is this that rises like the Nile, like rivers of surging waters?
8 Egypt rises like the Nile, like rivers of surging waters. She says, ‘I will rise and cover the earth; I will destroy cities and their people.’
9 Charge, you horses! Drive furiously, you charioteers! March on, you warriors—men of Cush[a] and Put who carry shields, men of Lydia who draw the bow.
10 But that day belongs to the Lord, the LORD Almighty— a day of vengeance, for vengeance on his foes. The sword will devour till it is satisfied, till it has quenched its thirst with blood. For the Lord, the LORD Almighty, will offer sacrifice in the land of the north by the River Euphrates.
11 “Go up to Gilead and get balm, Virgin Daughter Egypt. But you try many medicines in vain; there is no healing for you.
12 The nations will hear of your shame; your cries will fill the earth. One warrior will stumble over another; both will fall down together.”

Jeremiah 46:1-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 46

This chapter contains two prophecies relating to Egypt; one concerning the overthrow of Pharaohnecho, king of it, which was quickly accomplished; and the other concerning the destruction of the land, fulfilled many years after, and both by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and the chapter is concluded with a word of comfort to the people of Israel. It begins with a general title to prophecies in this and the five following chapters, Jer 46:1; then follows a particular prophecy of the route of Pharaoh's army; of the place where, and time when, Jer 46:2; the preparations of the Egyptians for the battle, with a variety of warlike instruments, Jer 46:3,4; the consternation, flight, and destruction of them, Jer 46:5,6; notwithstanding their confidence of getting the victory, Jer 46:7-9; the reason of it, because it was the day of the Lord's vengeance on them, and therefore their ruin was inevitable, Jer 46:10,11; the consequence of which was shame and confusion, Jer 46:12; next follows another prophecy of the destruction of the land itself by Nebuchadnezzar, Jer 46:13; the places that should be destroyed, Jer 46:14,19,25; the multitude that should be slain, Jer 46:15-17; a description of the calamity; the instrument, manner, and consequence of it, Jer 46:20-24; the certainty of it, Jer 46:18,25,26; and the whole is closed with a promise of the return of the Jews, and of their salvation; though they should not be without divine corrections, Jer 46:27,28.

Cross References 30

  • 1. S Jeremiah 1:10; Jeremiah 25:15-38
  • 2. S Exodus 1:8
  • 3. S 2 Kings 23:29
  • 4. S 2 Chronicles 35:20
  • 5. S Genesis 2:14
  • 6. Jeremiah 1:3; Jeremiah 25:1; Jeremiah 35:1; Jeremiah 36:1; Jeremiah 45:1; Daniel 1:1
  • 7. S Isaiah 21:5; Jeremiah 51:11-12
  • 8. Ezekiel 21:9-11
  • 9. 1 Samuel 17:5,38; 2 Chronicles 26:14; Nehemiah 4:16
  • 10. ver 21; Jeremiah 48:44
  • 11. S Psalms 31:13; S Psalms 48:5; Jeremiah 49:29
  • 12. Isaiah 30:16
  • 13. Genesis 2:14; Genesis 15:18
  • 14. ver 12,16; S Psalms 20:8; Daniel 11:19
  • 15. Jeremiah 47:2
  • 16. Ezekiel 29:3,9; Ezekiel 30:12; Amos 8:8
  • 17. Daniel 11:10
  • 18. Jeremiah 47:3; Ezekiel 26:10; Nahum 3:2
  • 19. S Genesis 10:6
  • 20. S Isaiah 66:19
  • 21. Ezekiel 32:10; Joel 1:15; Obadiah 1:15
  • 22. S Numbers 31:3; S Deuteronomy 32:41; 2 Kings 23:29-30
  • 23. S Deuteronomy 32:42; S 2 Samuel 2:26; Zephaniah 2:12
  • 24. S Deuteronomy 32:42
  • 25. S Leviticus 3:9; Zephaniah 1:7
  • 26. Genesis 2:14; Genesis 15:18
  • 27. S Genesis 37:25; Jeremiah 8:22
  • 28. S 2 Kings 19:21; Isaiah 47:1
  • 29. S Jeremiah 30:13; S Micah 1:9
  • 30. S ver 6; Isaiah 19:4; Nahum 3:8-10

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. That is, the upper Nile region
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