Jeremiah 46:20-28

20 “Egypt is a beautiful heifer, but a gadfly is coming against her from the north.
21 The mercenaries in her ranks are like fattened calves. They too will turn and flee together, they will not stand their ground, for the day of disaster is coming upon them, the time for them to be punished.
22 Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent as the enemy advances in force; they will come against her with axes, like men who cut down trees.
23 They will chop down her forest,” declares the LORD, “dense though it be. They are more numerous than locusts, they cannot be counted.
24 Daughter Egypt will be put to shame, given into the hands of the people of the north.”
25 The LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “I am about to bring punishment on Amon god of Thebes, on Pharaoh, on Egypt and her gods and her kings, and on those who rely on Pharaoh.
26 I will give them into the hands of those who want to kill them—Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers. Later, however, Egypt will be inhabited as in times past,” declares the LORD.
27 “Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel. I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile. Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will make him afraid.
28 Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, for I am with you,” declares the LORD. “Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.”

Jeremiah 46:20-28 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 22

  • 1. ver 24; S Isaiah 14:31; Jeremiah 47:2
  • 2. S 2 Kings 7:6
  • 3. Luke 15:27
  • 4. S ver 5; S Job 20:24
  • 5. Psalms 18:18; Psalms 37:13; Jeremiah 18:17
  • 6. S Job 18:20
  • 7. Psalms 74:5
  • 8. S Deuteronomy 28:42; S Judges 7:12
  • 9. S 2 Kings 24:7; Jeremiah 1:15
  • 10. Ezekiel 30:14; Nahum 3:8
  • 11. 2 Kings 24:7; Ezekiel 30:22
  • 12. S Jeremiah 43:12
  • 13. Isaiah 20:6
  • 14. S Jeremiah 44:30
  • 15. S ver 13; S Isaiah 19:4; Ezekiel 32:11
  • 16. Ezekiel 29:11-16
  • 17. Isaiah 41:13; Isaiah 43:5; Jeremiah 51:46
  • 18. Isaiah 41:8; Isaiah 44:1; Malachi 1:2
  • 19. S Isaiah 44:2
  • 20. S Isaiah 11:11; S Jeremiah 29:14; Jeremiah 50:19
  • 21. S Exodus 14:22; S Numbers 14:9; Isaiah 8:9-10
  • 22. S Jeremiah 4:27
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