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Jeremiah 46 - Simple English

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Read Jeremiah Chapter 46

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1The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles.

2About Egypt, and about the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was at the river Euphrates in Carchemish. Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon struck that army down in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah.

3"Get the small shield and the large shield ready, and come near to the battle."

4Harness the horses. Mount up, you horsemen, and take your places with your helmets on. Polish the spears, and put on your coats of armour.

5"Why have I seen them terrified and turning back? Their strong men are beaten down. They run away fast and do not look back, for there is fear on every side," says the LORD.

6"Do not let the swift one run away, nor the strong man escape. They will stumble and fall in the north, by the river Euphrates."

7Who is this that rises up like a flood, whose waters toss like the rivers?

8Egypt rises like a flood, and his waters toss like the rivers. He says, 'I will go up and cover the earth. I will destroy the city and the people who live in it.'

9Charge, you horses; drive madly, you chariots. Let the strong men come out: the Ethiopians and the Libyans who carry the shield, and the Lydians who handle and bend the bow.

10For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, when he will take revenge on his enemies. The sword will devour; it will be filled full and made drunk with their blood. For the Lord GOD of hosts has a sacrifice in the north country, by the river Euphrates.

11Go up to Gilead and get balm, you virgin, daughter of Egypt. It is useless for you to use many medicines; you will not be healed.

12"The nations have heard of your shame, and your cry has filled the land. For one strong man has stumbled against another, and both of them have fallen together."

13The word that the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet, about how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon would come and strike the land of Egypt.

14"Tell it in Egypt, and make it known in Migdol; make it known in Noph and in Tahpanhes. Say, 'Take your stand and get ready, for the sword is devouring all around you.'"

15Why have your brave men been swept away? They did not stand, because the LORD drove them down.

16He made many stumble; yes, one fell on another. And they said, 'Get up, let us go back to our own people, and to the land where we were born, away from the cruel sword.'

17They cried out there, 'Pharaoh king of Egypt is only a noise; he has let the set time go by.'

18"As surely as I live," says the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts, "he will come like Tabor among the mountains, and like Carmel by the sea."

19You daughter living in Egypt, pack your bags to go into captivity. For Noph will be a waste, burned up and empty, with no one living there.

20Egypt is like a very beautiful young cow, but destruction is coming; it comes out of the north.

21Her hired soldiers among her are like fattened calves. They too have turned back; they have run away together. They did not stand, for the day of their disaster had come upon them, the time when they were punished.

22Her voice will go out like a snake's hiss, for they will march with an army. They will come against her with axes, like men who chop down trees.

23"They will cut down her forest," says the LORD, "though no one can search through it. For they are more than the locusts; they cannot be counted."

24"The daughter of Egypt will be put to shame. She will be handed over to the people of the north."

25The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says, "Look, I will punish the crowds of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods and their kings; I will punish Pharaoh, and all who trust in him."

26"I will hand them over to those who want to kill them, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants. Afterwards Egypt will be lived in again, as in the days of old," says the LORD.

27"But you, my servant Jacob, do not be afraid; do not be terrified, Israel. For look, I will save you from far away, and your children from the land where they are held captive. Jacob will come back and have rest and quiet, and no one will make him afraid."

28"Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant," says the LORD, "for I am with you. I will make a full end of all the nations where I have driven you, but I will not make a full end of you. I will correct you in a fair measure, yet I will not leave you completely unpunished."

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Explanation

Jeremiah 46

In short

Jeremiah receives God's word against Egypt, announcing that Babylon will defeat Egypt's army at Carchemish and later invade the land itself. The chapter describes Egypt's attempted military preparations, their shameful defeat, and their coming captivity, but ends with reassurance for Jacob and Israel that God will save them.

Context

This chapter opens a section of Jeremiah containing messages against foreign nations. Verse 1 indicates this is an oracle "against the Gentiles," with Egypt named as the first target. Verse 2 dates the oracle to the fourth year of King Jehoiakim, and identifies a specific historical moment: the Egyptian army under Pharaoh Neco at Carchemish on the Euphrates was defeated by Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon. This oracle expands beyond that single battle to speak of Egypt's broader downfall and invasion. At the end, verses 27 and 28 shift focus from Egypt to the people of Israel and Judah, whose situation prompted this comparison.

What the text says

Verses 3 to 6 describe Egypt's military mobilization, with orders to ready shields, horses, and weapons. But verse 5 breaks this scene: despite preparations, the soldiers are "dismayed" and "turned away," fleeing with fear "round about." Verses 7 to 10 return to Egypt's confidence, rising "like a flood" and vowing to cover the earth, yet verse 10 identifies God's hand in this, calling it "a day of vengeance" where the sword will "devour."

Verses 11 to 12 tell Egypt it cannot be healed and that "the nations have heard of thy shame." Verses 13 to 16 repeat that Nebuchadrezzar will strike Egypt, and soldiers cry out to flee. Verse 17 records soldiers saying "Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he hath passed the time appointed." Verses 18 to 24 continue the invasion imagery: God swears Egypt's destruction will be sure and extensive, the land will be laid waste, and Egypt will be "delivered into the hand of the people of the north."

Verses 25 to 26 name the specific targets: God will punish "the multitude of No" (a city), Pharaoh, the gods, and the kings, delivering them to Nebuchadrezzar. Yet verse 26 adds, "afterward it shall be inhabited, as in the days of old."

Verses 27 to 28 address Israel directly, commanding them not to fear. God promises to save Jacob "from afar off" and bring them back from captivity. God will not destroy Israel utterly but will "correct thee in measure."

Takeaways

  • Egypt's military strength will not save it from God's planned judgment through Babylon.
  • Despite Egypt's destruction, the passage ends not with Egypt but with God's protection of Israel.
  • God's discipline of nations serves a larger purpose toward His own people.

Explanation written with the help of AI. The Bible text above is not changed. Context and interpretation are flagged as such; always come back to the text itself.

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