Jeremiah 46:8-18

8 Egypt ascended at the likeness of a flood, and his waves shall be moved as [the] floods; and it shall say, I shall ascend, and cover the earth; I shall lose the city, and (the) dwellers thereof. (It is Egypt that goeth up like a flood, yea, like a river overflowing its banks; and it shall say, I shall rise, and cover the earth; I shall destroy the city, and its inhabitants.)
9 Ascend ye upon horses, and make ye full out joy in chariots (Go ye upon horses, and rejoice, or shout, ye in the chariots); and strong men, come forth, Ethiopia and Libya, holding shield, and Lydia, taking and shooting arrows.
10 Forsooth that day of the Lord God of hosts is a day of vengeance, that he take vengeance of his enemies; the sword shall devour, and shall be [full-]filled, and shall greatly be filled with the blood of them; for why the slain sacrifice of the Lord of hosts is in the land of the north, beside the flood [of] Euphrates. (For that day of the Lord God of hosts is a day of vengeance, that he take vengeance on his enemies; the sword shall devour, and shall be filled full, yea, it shall be greatly filled with their blood; for the slain sacrifice of the Lord of hosts is in the land of the north, by the Euphrates River.)
11 Thou virgin, the daughter of Egypt, go up into Gilead, and take medicine. In vain thou shalt multiply medicines; health shall not be to thee. (O virgin, the daughter of Egypt, go up into Gilead, and get some medicine. But thou shalt take thy many medicines in vain; for health, or healing, shall not be to thee.)
12 Heathen men heard thy shame (The heathen heard of thy shame), and thy yelling filled the earth; for a strong man hurtled against a strong man, and both fell down together.
13 The word which the Lord spake to Jeremy, the prophet, on that that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, was to coming, and to smiting the land of Egypt. (The word which the Lord spoke to the prophet Jeremiah, when Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, was coming to strike the land of Egypt.)
14 Tell ye (out) to Egypt, and make ye heard in Migdol, and sound it in Memphis, and say ye in Tahpanhes, Stand thou, and make thee ready, for a sword shall devour those things that be by thy compass (for a sword shall devour those things that be all around thee).
15 Why hath thy strong man waxed rotten? He stood not, for the Lord underturned him.
16 He multiplied fallers, and a man fell down to his neighbour; and they shall say, Rise ye, and turn we again to our people, and to the land of our birth, from the face of (the) sword of the culver. (He multiplied the fallen, yea, a man fell upon his neighbour; and they shall say, Rise ye up, and let us return to our people, and to the land of our birth, away from the cruel sword.)
17 Call ye the name of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, The time hath brought noise. (Call ye the name of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, The man who missed his chance.)
18 I live, saith the king, the Lord of hosts is his name; for it shall come as Tabor in hills, and as Carmel in the sea. (As I live, saith the King, whose name is the Lord of hosts; for he shall come as surely as Tabor is in the hills, and that Carmel is by the sea.)

Jeremiah 46:8-18 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.

Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.