Jeremiah 2:16

16 Also the sons of Memphis and Tahpanhes have defouled thee, unto the top of the head.

Jeremiah 2:16 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 2:16

Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes
These were cities in Egypt. Noph is the same with Moph in ( Hosea 9:6 ) and which we there rightly render Memphis; as Noph is here by the Targum, Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions; and was formerly, as Pliny ^F7 says, the palace of the kings of Egypt. It is the same that is now called Alcairo, or Grand Cairo. According to Herodotus ^F8, it was built by Menes, the first king of Egypt; and who also makes mention of a city of Egypt, called Momemphis ^F9. Tahapanes is the same with Hanes in ( Isaiah 30:4 ) , and here, in the Arabic version, is called Daphnes; and is thought by some to be the same with Daphnae Pelusiae, a city in Egypt. This Tahapanes was the metropolis of Egypt, and the seat of their kings; mention is made of Pharaoh's house in it, in ( Jeremiah 43:9 ) , now the inhabitants of these, called the children of them, and who are put for the people of Egypt in general, were the allies of the Jews, and in whom they trusted for help, when attacked by their enemies, ( Isaiah 30:2-4 ) ( 31:1 ) and yet even these have broken the crown of thy head;
which is interpreted, by the Targum, of slaying their mighty men, and spoiling their goods; perhaps it had its accomplishment when Pharaohnecho king of Egypt came out against the king of Assyria, and Josiah king of Judah went out to meet him, and was slain by him at Megiddo; and his son Jehoahaz he put in bonds, and carried him to Egypt, and put his brother upon the throne, and took tribute of gold and silver of him, ( 2 Kings 23:29-35 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F7 Nat. Hist. l. 5. c. 9.
F8 L. 2. vel Euterpe, c. 99.
F9 lb. c. 163, 169.

Jeremiah 2:16 In-Context

14 Whether Israel is a bondman, either is born bond? Why therefore is he made into prey? (Is Israel a slave, or was he born into slavery? And so why is he made into prey, or into spoils?)

15 Lions roared on him, and gave their voice; they have set the land of him into wilderness, the cities of him be burnt [up], and none there is that dwelleth in those. (The lions roared at him, and gave out their voice; they have turned his land into a wilderness, his cities be burned down, and there is no one who liveth in them.)

16 Also the sons of Memphis and Tahpanhes have defouled thee, unto the top of the head.

17 Whether this is not done to thee, for thou forsookest thy Lord God, in that time in which he led thee by the way? (Is this not done to thee, because thou hast deserted the Lord thy God, at that time when he led thee by the way?)

18 And now what wilt thou to thee in the way of Egypt, that thou drink troubled water? And what is to thee with the way of Assyrians, that thou drink water of the flood? (And now what wilt thou do if thou go back to Egypt, shalt thou drink there the waters of Sihor, that is, of the Nile River? And what is for thee if thou go to Assyria, shalt thou drink there the waters of the Euphrates River?)