Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 46

Verse 1

Gentiles, to whom Jeremias was sent, chap. i. 5. What follows regards them, (Calmet) if we except the last chapter. (Haydock) --- It was thought proper to place these predictions here, though out of their chronological order, to which the Septuagint have more adhered, placing them after chap. xxv. (Calmet) --- The punishment of the chief enemies of the Jews is foretold. (Worthington)

Verse 2

Nechao. He slew Josias, and took all as far as Charcamis, 4 Kings xxiii. Four years after Nabopolasser associated his son, and sent him to conquer these countries, which he effected, 4 Kings xxiv. 7. (Josephus)

Verse 3

Prepare Egyptians, the enemy is at hand. (Calmet)

Verse 5

CHAPTER XLVI.

Seen. The prophets usually speak as if things were already past. (Worthington)

Verse 6

Away. It will be in vain. (Calmet) --- Nechao went to defend Charcamis, but lost "many myriads in the battle," and all the country "as far as Pelusium, except Judea." (Josephus, [Antiquities?] x. 7.)

Verse 7

Rivers. He alludes to the Nile. The king of Egypt had a numerous army.

Verse 8

City; Babylon, and every fort which shall oppose my progress. (Calmet)

Verse 9

Men. Soldiers formed one of the principal classes among the Egyptians. (Herodotus ii. 164.) --- Ethiopians. Hebrew, "Cush," in Lower Egypt, on the Red Sea. --- Lybians. Hebrew, "Phut, another son of Cham, inhabiting the Nome Phtenethu," Ezechiel xxx. 5., and Nahum iii. 2. --- Lydians. Their situation is not known.

Verse 10

Devour. It seems animated, and eager to slay the victim, Ezechiel xxxix. 17.

Verse 11

Of Egypt; or ye Egyptians, who have been wounded. The balm (Haydock) or resina of Galaad was then very famous, Genesis xxxvii. 25. (Calmet) --- Egypt thought itself invulnerable, and is derided. Its cures was hopeless, ver. 16. (Worthington)

Verse 13

Egypt, under Apries, about thirty-five years after the former expedition, chap. xliv. 30., and Ezechiel xxix., and xxxi. This country was invaded the last, ver. 14.

Verse 15

Men. Literally, "man." Hebrew abir, (Haydock) where Apis has been perhaps formed. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "Why has Apis (Complutensian omits this word) fled from thee? thy calf, thy chosen one has not remained." (Haydock) --- He derides the chief idol of Egypt; or he alludes to those who fell at Charcamis, or rather who fled after they had come out to assist Sedecias, chap. xxxvii. 5., and Ezechiel xxx. 21.

Verse 16

Dove. Hebrew also, "of the destroyer." Septuagint, "Greeks," or Ionians. (Calmet) --- See chap. xxv. 35. (Challoner) --- Nebuchodonosor came with expedition, or had a dove on his standards. (Menochius)

Verse 17

Pharao. Septuagint add, "Nechao." But Apries seems rather to be meant. (Calmet) --- A. Hebrew shaon hehebir hamohed. Protestants, "is but a noise, he hath passed the time appointed;" (Haydock) or, "the height which the crowd (or God, who raised) hath displaced." (Calmet) --- Septuagint retain the original: but the middle word varies in their copies. (Haydock) --- All the boasts of Pharao ended in smoke. He lost the proper opportunity, and caused his own kingdom to be laid waste. Syriac, "the disturber, who deranges the times." (Calmet)

Verse 18

He, the destroyer; (ver. 16.) or "it," my word (Haydock) shall surely stand as long as the mountains, (Calmet) yea, longer than heaven and earth. (Haydock) --- My decrees shall be put in execution in spite of the efforts of man. (Calmet)

Verse 19

Furnish. Literally, "make thyself vessels of captivity," or pack up what thou mayst want there. (Haydock) (Ezechiel xii. 3., and xxix. 11.) --- Many returned under Cyrus, ver. 26.

Verse 20

Goad her. Nabuchodonosor shall subdue the country.

Verse 21

Hirelings. Apries had thirty thousand Carians, &c., who were defeated by Amasis. (Herodotus ii. 163.)

Verse 22

Brass. Septuagint, "hissing serpent;" lamenting in secret, Isaias xxix. 4. --- Wood. Battle-axes were then used. Great cities and monarchs shall fall, Zacharias xi. 2., and Ezechiel xxxi. 3. (Calmet)

Verse 23

Above, or "more than locusts," (Haydock) which destroy all herbs where they light.

Verse 25

Visit upon. That is, punish. --- Alexandria. In the Hebrew No; which was the ancient name of the city, to which Alexander [the Great] gave afterwards the name of Alexandria; (Challoner) or this city was built near Rachotes, the harbour. "Ammon of No" was rather Diospolis, (Ezechiel xxx. 14.; Septuagint) in the [Nile] Delta, north of Busiris. Ammon was the chief god adored at No, Nahum iii. 8. Alexandrian Septuagint, "I will revenge myself on Ammon, her son, on Egypt, or Pharao, and on them." (Haydock) --- Ammon was of their invention, and for this the people were justly punished. It means also, "a multitude." --- Kings. Chap. xlii. 12. Apries was slain, (chap. xliv. 33.; Calmet) and his two successors perished miserably by sentence of Cambyses. (Herodotus iii. 14, 16.)

Verse 26

Afterwards, forty years being expired (Ezechiel xxix. 14.) from the time when Apries made his unsuccessful attack on Cyrene, and his subjects revolted.

Verse 27

Off from all countries, (Calmet) particularly from Egypt; (Haydock) on occasion of which country’s deliverance, that of Jacob is foretold. (Calmet) --- If God would bring the Egyptians back, much more would he deliver the Jews. (Worthington)

Verse 28

Nations of Assyria, Chaldea, &c., chap. xxx. 11. (Calmet)