Jeremiah 46:13-19

13 This is the message the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to attack Egypt:
14 “Announce this in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol; proclaim it also in Memphis and Tahpanhes: ‘Take your positions and get ready, for the sword devours those around you.’
15 Why will your warriors be laid low? They cannot stand, for the LORD will push them down.
16 They will stumble repeatedly; they will fall over each other. They will say, ‘Get up, let us go back to our own people and our native lands, away from the sword of the oppressor.’
17 There they will exclaim, ‘Pharaoh king of Egypt is only a loud noise; he has missed his opportunity.’
18 “As surely as I live,” declares the King, whose name is the LORD Almighty, “one will come who is like Tabor among the mountains, like Carmel by the sea.
19 Pack your belongings for exile, you who live in Egypt, for Memphis will be laid waste and lie in ruins without inhabitant.

Jeremiah 46:13-19 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.

Cross References 18

  • 1. ver 26; Ezekiel 32:11
  • 2. Isaiah 19:1; Jeremiah 27:7
  • 3. S Isaiah 19:13
  • 4. S Jeremiah 43:8
  • 5. S Deuteronomy 32:42; S 2 Samuel 2:26; S Jeremiah 24:8
  • 6. S Joshua 23:5; Isaiah 66:15-16
  • 7. S Leviticus 26:37
  • 8. S ver 6
  • 9. S Isaiah 13:14
  • 10. S Jeremiah 25:38
  • 11. 1 Kings 20:10-11
  • 12. Isaiah 19:11-16
  • 13. Jeremiah 48:15
  • 14. S Joshua 19:22
  • 15. 1 Kings 18:42
  • 16. S Isaiah 20:4
  • 17. S Isaiah 19:13
  • 18. Ezekiel 29:10,12; Ezekiel 35:7
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