Jeremiah 46

, ARGUMENT., This chapter contains two prophecies against Egypt: the first fulfilled immediately after the publication: the other foretelling the entire conquest of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar, which was fulfilled six-and-thirty years afterward. Ver,*l. x HE word of the Lord which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the gentiles.] This title belongs to this and the five following chapters: and refers to that general denunciation of God’s judgments upon the| countries round about Judea,. contained in the twenty-fifth chapter of this prophecy, from the thirteenth verse to the end of the chapter. For which reason, in the Vatican and Alexandrian copies of the Septuagint, these six chapters follow immediately after xxv. 13. where express mention is made of the book which Jeremiah had prophesied against the nations: which book is contained in this and the following chapters of this prophecy.

Jeremiah 46:2

Against the army of Pharaoh-Nechoh king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish. This was the second battle which the king of Babylon (called the king of Assyria, 2 Kings xxiii. 29.) fought with Pharaoh-Nechoh near this city. In the former of those expeditions was Josiah killed. (See 2 Chron. xxxv. 20.) Which Nebuchadnezzar smote in the fourth year ofJehoiakim king of Judah.] This is coincident with the first year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, according to the Scripture account, which begins his reign two years before his father’s death. (See the note on xxv. 1.) For Nebuchadnezzar went upon this expedition by his father’s command: and upon this victory, Jehoiakira, who had been made king of Judea by Pharaoh-Nechoh, (2 Kings xxiii. 34.) became tributary to Nebuchadnezzar, (See 2 Kings xxiv. 1. 7. and the notes upon Jer. xxii. 19.) Order ye the buckler and shield, &c] The prophet ironically encourages the Egyptians to make ready all warlike preparations, which yet he foresees will in the end signify nothing. (See the following verse, and ver 14. and compare Ii. 12. Nahum ii. 1. iii. 14.)

Jeremiah 46:5

For fear was round about, saith the Lord. A panic fear seized the whole army. (Compare xlix. 29. 1. 37.. Ii. 30. Isa. xix. 1G.)

Jeremiah 46:6

Let not the swift flee away, &c. The words imply, that it was God’s command that none of the Egyptian army should escape. Or else the imperative may be taken for the future, by a usual enallage. (See the note on xxv. 27.) They shall stumble and fall toivards the north, by the river Euphrates.] The river Euphrates was northward from Judea. So Babylon is described as lying northward, being situate upon that river. (See i. 14. iv. 6. vi. 1.)

Jeremiah 46:7

Who is this that cometh up as a flood? &c. In order to raise an expectation of some mighty enterprise, the prophet describes, by way of vision, the march of the Egyptian army, coming on like a flood, and carrying all before it: which expressions allude to the overflowing of the river Nile. (Compare likewise xlvii. 2. Isa. viii. 7, 8. Dan. xi. 2G. xi. 22. Amos viii. 8.)

Jeremiah 46:9

Let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians, the Lybians — and the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow. These names in Hebrew are Cash, and Phut, and Lud, who were the Egyptians’ allies, and are mentioned together as such, Ezek. xxx. 5. which makes it probable that they are all Africans. Cush, though it often signifies Arabia, yet sometimes denotes Ethiopia, as hath been shewed upon xiii. 23. Phut is rendered Lybia, by our in-, terpretcrs here, and Ezek. xxx. 5. But Phut and Lubim GG4 [chap. xlvi. are spoken of as a distinct people, Nahum Hi. 9. Phut may probably signify Mauritania, and Lud, or Ludim; the people of Mcr’oe. These were famous for the use of the bow, as it is expressed both here and Isa. lxvi. 19.

Jeremiah 46:10

For this is the day of the Lord God of hosts.) The day of the Lord often signifies the day of his vengeance. (See Isa. xiii. 6. Joel i. 15. ii. 1. Amos v. 18. Zeph. i. 14, 15.) From thence it comes to signify the day of judgment in the New Testament, of which all other clays of vengeance are the earnests and forerunners. A day of vengeance*, that he may revenge himself of his adversaries.] Of the idols of Egypt, and their worshippers. (See ver. 25. xliii/ 12, 13.) And the sword shall devour, &c] See Isa. xxxiv. 6. For the Lord God hath a sacrifice in the north country, &c] The slaughter of men is called a sacrifice, because it makes some kind of satisfaction and atonement to God’s justice. (Isa. xxxiv. G. Ezek. xxxix. 17. Zeph. i. 7.)

Jeremiah 46:11

Go np into Gilead, and take balm. Gilead was famous for producing balm, and such-like healing gums. (See the note on viii. 22.) The prophet, alluding to the custom of men’s going thither for relief in dangerous infirmities, ironically advises the Egyptians to try all the methods they can think of, to prevent that destruction that threatens them: but all their endeavours will be in vain. (Compare li. 8.) O virgin, the daughter of Egypt.] Those cities or countries are called virgins which never were conquered. (See the note on xiv. 17. and compare Isa. xlvii. 1.) Egypt was grown great by its conquests, particularly by the former battle at Carchcmish; (see ver. 2.) and did not apprehend itself in any danger of being conquered. The daughter of Egypt, is the same with Egypt. (See ver. 19. and the notes on iv. 11.)

Jeremiah 46:12

Tixe nations have heard of thy shame. Of thine armies being shamefully beaten, and running away. For the mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty.] When an army is once broken and disordered, multitudes are a hinderance one to another, and one part helps to destroy another. (See ver. 16. 21.)

Jeremiah 46:13

The tuord of the Lord — how Nebuchadnezzar shoidd come to smite the land of Egypt.) Compare xliii. 10. This is a distinct prophecy from the former, as was observed in the Argument to that chapter. The same destruction of Egypt is at large foretold and described by Ezekiel, chap. xxix. — xxxii.

Jeremiah 46:14

Publish in MigdoL. See xliv. 1. Stand fast, and prepare thee.] Prepare for war, and resolve to keep your ground, and not to yield to the enemy. (Compare ver. 2, 3.)

Jeremiah 46:15

Why are the valiant men swept away?. The Hebrew word abbir, rendered valiant, is sometimes spoken of God, as Gen. xlix. 24. sometimes is a title given to angels, Psal. Ixxviii. 25. and here the Septuagint understand it of Apis, the idol of Egypt, (compare ver. 20. 25.) who may properly be said to be conquered, when the nation that putthemselves under his protection was subdued. (See xliii. 12.) Ver. 1G. Arise, and let us go again to bwr own people, and to the land ofonr nativity.] The words of the Egyptian allies. (See ver. 9. 21.)

Jeremiah 46:17

They did cry there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he hath passed the time appointed. He brags what great things ho will do, but he does not bring his forces together till the season of the year for action is over. (Compare viii. 20.)

Jeremiah 46:18

Surely as Tabor is among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he come. Some think the expression compares Nebuchadnezzar, a lofty and aspiring conqueror, to Tabor and Carmel, two of the highest mountains in Judea. Others understand it thus: He will as surely come, as that part of Judea which is joined to Tabor is enclosed with mountains, and as Carmel is encompassed with the sea. (See 1 Kings xviii. 42, 43.) Or lastly, the verse may be expounded thus: Though Egypt were as inaccessible as the top of Mount Tabor, and begirt with the sea like Carmel, yet the enemy should come upon her, and make an entire conquest of her.

Jeremiah 46:19

O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt. Compare xlviii. 18. Countries and cities are usually compared to women (such representations being very common, particularly on medals), and sometimes to young women, when their wealth makes them soft and effeminate. (See Isa. xlvii. 1.) Furnish thyself to go into captivity.] The expression is ironical, implying, that instead of the rich and goodly furniture wherein she did pride herself, she should be carried away captive, naked and bare, and wanting all manner of conveniences. (See Isa. xx. 4. xlvii. 2, 3.)

Jeremiah 46:20

Egypt is like a very fair heifer. In the foregoing verse, the prophet compared Egypt to a delicate young woman: here he resembles her to a fat and well-favoure4 heifer. (Compare 1. 11.) In which comparison, as Grotius not improbably conjectures, there is an allusion to their god Apis, who was a bull remarkable for his beauty, and the fine spots or marks he had about him. It cometh out of the north.] See ver. 6. 10.

Jeremiah 46:21

Also her hired men are in the midst of her like fatted bullocks. The auxiliary troops which the king of Egypt hath hired, (see ver. 9. 1G.) are like bullocks fatted.up, and fit for the slaughter. (See 1. 27. Isa. xxxiv. 7. Ezek. xxxix. 18.) They did not stand, [in the fight, see ver. 15.] because the day of their calamity was upon them.] Their day was come, even the time of their visitation, as it is expressed, 1. 27.

Jeremiah 46:22

The voice thereof shall go like a serpent. They shall not shout like conquerors, but make a feeble noise, like the hissing of a serpent when it is pursued: and shall speak in a very submissive and humble tone. (See Isa. xxix. 4. Micah vii. 16, 17.) For they shall march with an army, and come against lier with axes, as hewers of wood.] The destruction of Egypt is described by the metaphor of cutting down the trees of a forest. (Compare Isa. x. 33, 34. xiv. 8. xxxvii.

Jeremiah 46:23

They shall cut down her forest, though it cannot be searched; because they are more than the grasshoppers. Cities, and their stately buildings, are elsewhere compared to the trees of a forest: (see the note on xxi. 14.) so here the text imports, that thought the cities of Egypt were never so numerous and large, yet the Chaldean army should plunder and destroy them, because their number is proportionable to such an enterprise. Armies are often compared to grasshoppers, and such-like insects, both for their multi-

Jeremiah 46:27

Beliqld, I ivill watch over them for evil, and not for good. See xxxi. 28.

Jeremiah 46:28

Yet a small member that escape the sword shall return. See ver. 14. And all the remnant of Judah—that are gone into the land of Egypt, shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs.’] Since they are so peremptory in abiding by their own vows and resolutions, (see ver. 1G, 17. 25.) they shall see whose words shall stand good, or take effect, mine or theirs.

1 will give Pharaoh-Hopkra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and of them that seek his life. .Pharaoh was a common name to all the kings of Egypt. As the predecessor of this king was called Pharaoh-Nechoh by way of distinction, (2 Kings xxiii. 29.) so this king was called Pharaoh-Hophra, or Apries, as Herodotus calls him: he engaged in a battle with Amasis, by whom he was overcome and strangled. (See Archbishop Usher’s Annals, ad A. M. 0435.)