Jeremiah 46:1-11

1 The Lord spoke this word to Jeremiah the prophet about the nations:

2 This message is to Egypt. It is about the army of Neco king of Egypt, which was defeated at the city of Carchemish on the Euphrates River by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. This was in the fourth year that Jehoiakim son of Josiah was king of Judah. This is the Lord's message to Egypt:

3 "Prepare your shields, large and small, and march out for battle!

4 Harness the horses and get on them! Go to your places for battle and put on your helmets! Polish your spears. Put on your armor!

5 What do I see? That army is terrified, and the soldiers are running away. Their warriors are defeated. They run away quickly without looking back. There is terror on every side!" says the Lord.

6 "The fast runners cannot run away; the strong soldiers cannot escape. They stumble and fall in the north, by the Euphrates River.

7 Who is this, rising up like the Nile River, like strong, fast rivers?

8 Egypt rises up like the Nile River, like strong, fast rivers. Egypt says, 'I will rise up and cover the earth. I will destroy cities and the people in them!'

9 Horsemen, charge into battle! Chariot drivers, drive hard! March on, brave soldiers -- soldiers from the countries of Cush and Put who carry shields, soldiers from Lydia who use bows.

10 "But that day belongs to the Lord God All-Powerful. At that time he will give those people the punishment they deserve. The sword will kill until it is finished, until it satisfies its thirst for their blood. in the land of the north, by the Euphrates River.

11 "Go up to Gilead and get some balm, people of Egypt! You have prepared many medicines, but they will not work; you will not be healed.

Jeremiah 46:1-11 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.