Jeremiah 46:9-11

9 Charge, you horses! Drive furiously, you charioteers! March on, you warriors—men of Cush[a] and Put who carry shields, men of Lydia who draw the bow.
10 But that day belongs to the Lord, the LORD Almighty— a day of vengeance, for vengeance on his foes. The sword will devour till it is satisfied, till it has quenched its thirst with blood. For the Lord, the LORD Almighty, will offer sacrifice in the land of the north by the River Euphrates.
11 “Go up to Gilead and get balm, Virgin Daughter Egypt. But you try many medicines in vain; there is no healing for you.

Jeremiah 46:9-11 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 12

  • 1. Jeremiah 47:3; Ezekiel 26:10; Nahum 3:2
  • 2. S Genesis 10:6
  • 3. S Isaiah 66:19
  • 4. Ezekiel 32:10; Joel 1:15; Obadiah 1:15
  • 5. S Numbers 31:3; S Deuteronomy 32:41; 2 Kings 23:29-30
  • 6. S Deuteronomy 32:42; S 2 Samuel 2:26; Zephaniah 2:12
  • 7. S Deuteronomy 32:42
  • 8. S Leviticus 3:9; Zephaniah 1:7
  • 9. Genesis 2:14; Genesis 15:18
  • 10. S Genesis 37:25; Jeremiah 8:22
  • 11. S 2 Kings 19:21; Isaiah 47:1
  • 12. S Jeremiah 30:13; S Micah 1:9

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. That is, the upper Nile region
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