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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
46:1-51:64 God's Judgment on the Nations. Jeremiah has already declared God's sovereignty over the nations (27:1-15). Here he describes God's coming judgment on Egypt (ch. 46), Philistia (ch. 47), Moab (ch. 48), Ammon (49:1-6), Edom (49:7-22), Damascus (49:23-33), the ends of the earth (49:34-39), and Babylon (chs. 50-51).
46:1-28 God Will Judge Egypt. This chapter declares God's displeasure with Egypt, Israel's old foe and recent ally. Jeremiah claims that God will put Egypt to shame (vv. 1-12) and judge Egypt's gods and kings (vv. 13-26), then notes that God is with Israel (vv. 27-28).
46:1 The Septuagint places chs. 46-51 (in slightly different order) after 25:13a. Jeremiah 46:1 serves as a superscription for chs. 46-51. The word of the Lord . . . concerning the nations. God is not the God of the Jews only, but is Lord of all the earth. In chs. 46-51 his words show that he holds all nations and all people accountable before him (see notes on Mark 6:18; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:14-16).
46:2 At Carchemish, Babylon defeated Egypt, thus taking full control of the region. fourth year of Jehoiakim. (25:1; 36:1; 45:1). Jehoiakim was placed in power by Egypt (2 Kings 23:34). When Babylon defeated Egypt, Jehoiakim switched sides, yet only after Nebuchadnezzar attacked Judah (2 Kings 24:1; Dan. 1:1).
46:3 The buckler was a small shield held in the left hand to protect the head; the shield refers to a large shield held in the right hand to protect the full body. The infantry used these implements.
46:4 The charioteers wore helmets and body armor and used spears.
46:5 Egypt's infantry and chariots flee in total disarray. terror on every side. A phrase used also to describe the invader from the north (6:25), as a name for Pashhur (20:3), and as a threat by Jeremiah's enemies (20:10). In this instance God brings the terror.
46:7-8 The Nile rises and falls throughout the year. Jeremiah compares Egypt's armies to flood waters bent on covering the earth (Isa. 8:7-8; Amos 8:8).
46:9 Egypt's infantry and chariots (vv. 3-4) advance against Babylon. Cush. Ethiopia, in the Nile region south of Egypt. Put. Perhaps on the north coast of Africa (Libya). Lud. Perhaps Lydia, in Asia Minor. Soldiers from these areas were probably mercenaries in Egypt's army.
46:10 day of the Lord. The day that
46:11 Gilead. On the eastern side of the Jordan River. balm. Soothing substance placed in wounds (8:22; Gen. 37:25). Virgin daughter of Egypt refers to the whole population of Egypt and recalls a similar term of endearment used of Israel (Jer. 31:4, 21; see note on 4:31). many medicines. A metaphor for strategy. no healing. A metaphor for aid from another country.
46:12 Egypt's shame has international proportions. Judah felt the shame of loss as well (2:36; 3:25; 23:40).
46:13 Nebuchadnezzar advanced against Egypt after the battle of Carchemish. He also campaigned there
46:14 Migdol . . . Memphis . . . Tahpanhes. See 44:1. These were places Judeans had fled, and God said Babylon would punish them (44:1-14).
46:15-16 God causes Egypt's defeat. Babylon remains God's instrument for punishing idolatry (27:1-15).
46:17 The Egyptian name of Pharaoh Hophra (44:30) was "Haabire" (Gk. Apries). The Hebrew for lets . . . go by (he‘ebir) sounds like Haabire. The pun may refer to Egypt's poor response to Judah's hour of need in (37:5-6).
46:18 the King. God rules the heavens and earth (Ps. 103:19). hosts. Armies. Tabor. Isolated mountain in the plain of Jezreel in northern Israel. Carmel. A famous mountain on the west coast of Israel near the Mediterranean Sea (1 Kings 18:19-40). Nebuchadnezzar shall tower over Egypt like these two mountains.
46:20 biting fly. Perhaps the gadfly, a metaphor for Babylon, who will come from the north and "sting" Egypt in battle.
46:21 Egypt's mercenary soldiers were like fattened calves ready for slaughter. The day of the Lord is the day of their calamity.
46:22-23 Like a snake exposed, Egypt hisses at Babylon and crawls into the forest. Babylon's soldiers are more numerous than locusts, so they simply cut down the whole forest (Isa. 10:34).
46:24 daughter of Egypt. See v. 11. put to shame. See v. 12. people from the north. Babylon. See v. 20.
46:25 Israel's God commands armies (hosts), and he sends these armies against Egypt and her gods and her kings. Amon was the chief god of Thebes, the capital of Upper (southern) Egypt. Babylon's conquest will include Egypt's southern regions.
46:26 Despite the devastation, Egypt will endure. God will leave Egypt with a remnant, perhaps one that will turn to him (Isa. 19:19-25).
46:27-28 fear not. See 30:10-11 and Isa. 41:8-10. This promise of renewal includes Israel, not just Judah.
