Jeremiah 46:22-28

22 "Its sound moves along like a serpent; For they move on like an army And come to her as woodcutters with axes.
23 "They have cut down her 1forest," declares the LORD; "Surely it will no more be found, Even though they are now more numerous than 2locusts And are without number.
24 "The daughter of Egypt has been put to shame, Given over to the power of the 3people of the north."
25 The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says, "Behold, I am going to punish Amon of 4Thebes, and 5Pharaoh, and Egypt along with her 6gods and her kings, even Pharaoh and those who 7trust in him.
26 "I shall give them over to the power of those who are 8seeking their lives, even into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and into the hand of his officers. 9Afterwards *, however, it will be inhabited as in the days of old," declares the LORD.
27 "But as for you, O Jacob My servant, 10do not fear, Nor be dismayed, O Israel! For, see, I am going to 11save you from afar, And your descendants from the land of their captivity; And Jacob will return and be 12undisturbed And secure, with no one making him tremble.
28 "O Jacob My servant, do not fear," declares the LORD, "For 13I am with you. For I will make a full end of all the nations Where * I have driven you, Yet I will 14not make a full end of you; But I will 15correct you properly And by no means leave you unpunished."

Jeremiah 46:22-28 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 15

  • 1. Jeremiah 21:14
  • 2. Judges 6:5; Judges 7:12; Joel 2:25
  • 3. Jeremiah 1:15
  • 4. Ezekiel 30:14-16; Nahum 3:8
  • 5. Jeremiah 44:30
  • 6. Exodus 12:12; Jeremiah 43:12, 13; Ezekiel 30:13; Zephaniah 2:11
  • 7. Isaiah 20:5
  • 8. Jeremiah 44:30; Ezekiel 32:11
  • 9. Ezekiel 29:8-14
  • 10. Isaiah 41:13, 14; Jeremiah 30:10, 11
  • 11. Isaiah 11:11; Jeremiah 23:3, 4; Jeremiah 29:14; Micah 7:12
  • 12. Jeremiah 23:6; Jeremiah 50:19
  • 13. Psalms 46:7, 11; Isaiah 8:10; Isaiah 43:2; Jeremiah 1:19
  • 14. Jeremiah 4:27; Amos 9:8, 9
  • 15. Jeremiah 10:24; Habakkuk 3:2

Footnotes 5

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