Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryJeremiah 46

The Judgment of EgyptThis section introduces a prophecy against Egypt. The word of the Lord

v. 2: Jeremiah begins with Egypt because of their history with Israel. Egypt once oppressed Israel and recently misled them. Now, the prophet predicts Egypt’s defeat by Babylon. This would be a total loss, and Egypt would never recover its power in the region.

v. 3: The Egyptians are mocked for their great military preparations. God calls them to get ready: Order the buckler! Prepare your weapons for battle . They work hard and spend much to go to war, but it will do them no good.

v. 4: Egypt is famous for its horses and chariots. The prophet says, Harness the horses! Riders, mount up! . But all these preparations cannot save them. People often try so hard to win battles, forgetting that they should seek God’s help and turn from their sins.

v. 5–6: Despite their big army, the Egyptians will be terrified and run away in fear. Even their strongest soldiers will flee, but they will not escape. They will stumble and fall as they try to run north, toward the enemy’s land. This shows that being fast or strong does not always mean you will win. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong (Ecclesiastes 9:11 ).

v. 7–8: The prophet compares Egypt’s army to the Nile River rising, overflowing its banks and threatening all around it. Egypt says proudly, I will go up and cover the earth; I will destroy the city (Jeremiah 46:8 ). But God has other plans. He laughs at their pride and will defeat them.

v. 9: The prophet calls on all Egypt’s allies—Ethiopians, Libyans, and Lydians—to join the battle. But no matter how many helpers Egypt gathers, they will not succeed. God is fighting against them, and no wisdom or plan can stop Him (Proverbs 21:30-31 ).

v. 10: God declares, This is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts . Egypt planned to become greater, but God’s real plan was to humble and weaken them. This is also a day of vengeance for Josiah’s death.

v. 11–12: Egypt is pictured as a young woman, badly wounded by this defeat. She is told to seek help and medicine, but nothing will heal her. The news of Egypt’s defeat spreads everywhere. Their cry fills the land because they, in their confusion, fall over each other while fleeing. This shows that human strength and pride can quickly turn to shame. Let not the mighty man glory in his might (Jeremiah 9:23 ).

The Judgment of EgyptThis section gives another prophecy against Egypt. After Egypt's defeat by Babylon, they stayed safe for a while in their own land. But God would not let them remain secure forever. The prophecy shows that Egypt, once a threat to others, would soon face destruction in their own homeland. This would come by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, many years after the first defeat. The message is that those who attack others will eventually face trouble themselves.v. 13: The prophecy begins with a warning that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, will soon attack and strike Egypt. This brings the war directly into Egypt, just as they once brought war to others .

v. 14: News of the coming invasion spreads through Egypt. An alarm is sounded in all the main cities—Migdol, Noph, and Tahpanhes. People are told to get ready, because the sword is devouring around you . Even Jewish refugees living there will see that Egypt cannot protect them.

v. 15: Egypt’s hired soldiers, who were supposed to defend the borders, are quickly defeated and forced to run away. God is the one who drives them off, using fear and the power of the Chaldeans. When God chooses to judge, no one can stand against Him .

v. 16: In the chaos, these foreign soldiers say to each other, Let us go back to our own people, to escape the oppressing sword . Mercenaries fighting only for money cannot be trusted in times of danger. Many fall in confusion, stumbling over each other as they try to escape.

v. 17: The soldiers blame Pharaoh, king of Egypt, for their defeat. They say, Pharaoh is only a noise—he talks big but cannot back up his words. He promised help but did not deliver. His promises are empty .

v. 18: The Lord

v. 19: God tells Egypt to prepare for captivity. The people, who once lived in comfort and safety, must get ready to leave their homes and become prisoners. No city will escape, and places like Noph will be left empty .

v. 20: Egypt is compared to a beautiful young cow, fat and healthy, but now destruction is coming from the north. The Chaldeans will come like butchers to kill and cut up this cow .

v. 21: Egypt’s mercenaries, described as fattened calves, will turn and run away instead of fighting. They are not ready for hardship, so when the day of disaster comes, they flee together, unable to stand against the enemy.

v. 22: The voice of Egypt will become like a snake’s hiss—low and fearful. Once proud, Egypt will now be quiet and afraid, hiding instead of boasting. They will whisper in fear as the enemy approaches .

v. 23: The Babylonian army will cut down Egypt like woodcutters cutting down a forest. Egypt is full of people and cities, but the Chaldeans, as many as locusts, will overrun the whole land (Jeremiah 46:23; Joel 1:6-7 ).

v. 24–25: The daughters of Egypt—its people—will be disgraced and filled with fear. Egypt’s kings, rulers, and even its gods will be defeated. All those who trusted in Pharaoh, including the Jews who fled there, will be handed over to the Babylonians, fulfilling the curse that Egypt would become the lowest of nations (Jeremiah 46:24-25 ).

v. 26: But God promises that Egypt will not stay ruined forever. After a time, people will live there again. Ezekiel says this would happen after forty years (Ezekiel 29:13 ). Nations can rise and fall, so those who are strong should not feel safe, and those who suffer should not lose hope .

v. 27–28: Finally, God gives comfort to His people, Israel. He says, Fear not, O my servant Jacob, and do not be dismayed, O Israel (Jeremiah 46:27 ). Even when other nations are destroyed, God will save His people. They may be punished, but not destroyed. God will gather His people from wherever they are and protect them, so they will rest in safety. This promise is for all God’s people—He will correct them, but never abandon them (Jeremiah 46:28 ).