1 The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles;
2 Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah.
3 Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle.
4 Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with [your] helmets; furbish the spears, [and] put on the brigandines.
5 Wherefore have I seen them dismayed [and] turned away back? and their mighty ones are beaten down, and are fled apace, and look not back: [for] fear [was] round about, saith the LORD.
6 Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates.
7 Who [is] this [that] cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?
8 Egypt riseth up like a flood, and [his] waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, [and] will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof.
9 Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle [and] bend the bow.
10 For this [is] the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.
11 Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; [for] thou shalt not be cured.
12 The nations have heard of thy shame, and thy cry hath filled the land: for the mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty, [and] they are fallen both together.
13 The word that the LORD spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come [and] smite the land of Egypt.
14 Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph and in Tahpanhes: say ye, Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee.
15 Why are thy valiant [men] swept away? they stood not, because the LORD did drive them.
16 He made many to fall, yea, one fell upon another: and they said, Arise, and let us go again to our own people, and to the land of our nativity, from the oppressing sword.
17 They did cry there, Pharaoh king of Egypt [is but] a noise; he hath passed the time appointed.
18 [As] I live, saith the King, whose name [is] the LORD of hosts, Surely as Tabor [is] among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, [so] shall he come.
19 O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity: for Noph shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitant.
20 Egypt [is like] a very fair heifer, [but] destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north.
21 Also her hired men [are] in the midst of her like fatted bullocks; for they also are turned back, [and] are fled away together: they did not stand, because the day of their calamity was come upon them, [and] the time of their visitation.
22 The voice thereof shall go like a serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.
23 They shall cut down her forest, saith the LORD, though it cannot be searched; because they are more than the grasshoppers, and [are] innumerable.
24 The daughter of Egypt shall be confounded; she shall be delivered into the hand of the people of the north.
25 The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings; even Pharaoh, and [all] them that trust in him:
26 And I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants: and afterward it shall be inhabited, as in the days of old, saith the LORD.
27 But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make [him] afraid.
28 Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I [am] with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished.
Overview of Jeremiah Chapter 46
Jeremiah Chapter 46 is a prophetic oracle concerning Egypt and its impending defeat by Babylon. This chapter is part of a series of prophecies that Jeremiah delivers, focusing on various nations. The chapter highlights the themes of divine judgment, the futility of relying on military strength, and the sovereignty of God over nations.
Structure of the Chapter
- Verses 1-12: Prophecy against Egypt
- Verses 13-26: The fate of Pharaoh and Egypt
- Verses 27-28: A message of hope for Israel
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-12: Prophecy against Egypt
These verses introduce the prophecy against Egypt, specifically addressing the military preparations of Pharaoh and his army. Jeremiah describes the scene of battle and the fear that grips the soldiers.
- Military Preparations: The chapter begins with a call to prepare for battle, emphasizing Egypt’s might and the mobilization of its forces.
- Imagery of Defeat: The vivid imagery of warriors and chariots highlights the futility of their efforts against the divine decree. The soldiers are depicted as frightened and ineffective.
- Divine Judgment: The text emphasizes that God has decreed judgment against Egypt, indicating that their military strength will not save them.
Verses 13-26: The Fate of Pharaoh and Egypt
In these verses, the focus shifts to the specific consequences of Egypt’s actions and the fate of Pharaoh. The prophecy details the downfall of Egypt and its leaders.
- Pharaoh’s Defeat: The text foretells the fall of Pharaoh, illustrating the inevitable defeat of Egypt at the hands of Babylon.
- Symbolism of the Nile: The Nile River, a symbol of Egypt’s strength, is mentioned as being dried up, signifying the loss of power and prosperity.
- Call to the Nations: The chapter serves as a warning to other nations about the consequences of defiance against God.
Verses 27-28: A Message of Hope for Israel
The final verses of the chapter provide a contrasting message of hope for the people of Israel, reassuring them of God’s protection and restoration.
- Promise of Deliverance: God assures Israel that they will not be completely destroyed and will be restored despite the judgments on other nations.
- Affirmation of God’s Sovereignty: The chapter concludes with a reminder of God’s covenant with Israel, emphasizing His enduring faithfulness.
Thematic Elements
- Divine Sovereignty: The chapter underscores God’s control over the nations and His ability to execute judgment.
- Judgment and Hope: While the chapter details the judgment against Egypt, it also offers hope to Israel, illustrating the dual themes of justice and mercy.
- Futility of Human Strength: The emphasis on the ineffectiveness of Egypt’s military might serves as a reminder of the limitations of human power in the face of divine will.
Conclusion
Jeremiah Chapter 46 serves as a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty and the consequences of turning away from Him. Through the prophecy against Egypt, Jeremiah illustrates the futility of relying on human strength and the hope that remains for those who remain faithful to God. The chapter encapsulates key themes of judgment, hope, and divine authority that resonate throughout the book of Jeremiah.
