Jeremiah 46:15

15 Why have your strong ones been swept away? Each has not stood, for the Lord has 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Jeremiah 46:15 In-Context

13 [This is] the word the Lord spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to defeat the land of Egypt:

14 Announce it in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol! Proclaim it in Memphis and in Tahpanhes! Say: Take positions! Prepare yourself, for the sword devours all around you.

15 Why have your strong ones been swept away? Each has not stood, for the Lord has thrust him down.

16 He continues to stumble. Indeed, each falls over the other. They say: Get up! Let's return to our people and to the land of our birth, away from the sword that oppresses.

17 There they will cry out: Pharaoh king of Egypt was all noise; he let the opportune moment pass.