Jeremiah 46:15

15 Why has Apis fled? Why did your bull not stand? —because the Lord thrust him down.

Jeremiah 46:15 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 46:15

Why are thy valiant [men] swept away?
&c.] As with a mighty torrent, or a sweeping rain; so the word is used in ( Proverbs 28:3 ) ; to which the Chaldean army may be compared; which came with such irresistible force as to drive the Egyptians from their posts, so that they could not stand their ground. The Septuagint renders it,

``why does Apis flee from thee? thy choice ox does not continue.''
Which was the god of the Egyptians, they worshipped in the form of an ox; this could not protect them, though thought by them to be very mighty and powerful; so Aelianus F9 says Apis with the Egyptians is believed to be a most powerful deity; yet could not save them; but the word signifies their nobles, their mighty men of war, their generals and officers, at least their valiant soldiers; who yet were not able to stand the tide of power that came against them. The reason was, because the Lord did drive them;
by means of the Chaldeans; he dispirited them; he put them into a panic, and they fled from their posts; there is no standing against the Lord.
FOOTNOTES:

F9 De Animal. l. 11. c. 10.

Jeremiah 46:15 In-Context

13 The word that the Lord spoke to the prophet Jeremiah about the coming of King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon to attack the land of Egypt:
14 Declare in Egypt, and proclaim in Migdol; proclaim in Memphis and Tahpanhes; Say, "Take your stations and be ready, for the sword shall devour those around you."
15 Why has Apis fled? Why did your bull not stand? —because the Lord thrust him down.
16 Your multitude stumbled and fell, and one said to another, "Come, let us go back to our own people and to the land of our birth, because of the destroying sword."
17 Give Pharaoh, king of Egypt, the name "Braggart who missed his chance."

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Gk: Heb [Why was it swept away]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.