Jeremiah 46:13-26

13 This is the word that the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to strike the land of Egypt:

14 “Announce it in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol; proclaim it in Memphis ^[a] and Tahpanhes: ‘Take your positions and prepare yourself, for the sword devours those around you.’

15 Why have your warriors been laid low? They cannot stand, for the LORD has thrust them down.

16 They continue to stumble; indeed, they have fallen over one another. They say, ‘Get up! Let us return to our people and to the land of our birth, away from the sword of the oppressor.’

17 There they will cry out: ‘Pharaoh king of Egypt was all noise; he has let the appointed time pass him by.’

18 As surely as I live, declares the King, whose name is the LORD of Hosts, there will come one who is like Tabor among the mountains and like Carmel by the sea.

19 Pack your bags for exile, O daughter dwelling in Egypt! For Memphis will be laid waste, destroyed and uninhabited.

20 Egypt is a beautiful heifer, but a gadfly from the north is coming against her.

21 Even the mercenaries among her are like fattened calves. They too will turn back; together they will flee, they will not stand their ground, for the day of calamity is coming upon them— the time of their punishment.

22 Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent, ^[b] for the enemy will advance in force; with axes they will come against her like woodsmen cutting down trees.

23 They will chop down her forest, declares the LORD, dense though it may be, for they are more numerous than locusts; they cannot be counted.

24 The Daughter of Egypt will be put to shame; she will be delivered into the hands of the people of the north.”

25 The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I am about to punish Amon god of Thebes, ^[c] along with Pharaoh, Egypt with her gods and kings, and those who trust in Pharaoh.

26 I will deliver them into the hands of those who seek their lives—of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers. But after this, Egypt will be inhabited as in days of old, declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 46:13-26 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.

Footnotes

• [a] LXX; Hebrew Noph; also in verse 19
• [b] Hebrew nachash; translated in most cases as snake
• [c] Hebrew Amon of No