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Jeremiah 46
Expanded Bible
Jeremiah 46
Expanded Bible
Messages to the Nations
46 The Lord spoke this word to Jeremiah the prophet about the nations [C chapters 46–51 are oracles against the foreign nations; see also Is. 13–23; Ezek. 25–32; Amos 1–2; Nah.; Obad.]:
2 This message is to Egypt. It is about the army of Neco king of Egypt [C ruled 610–595 bc], which ·was defeated at [L struck] the city of Carchemish on the Euphrates River by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. This was in the fourth year that Jehoiakim son of Josiah was king of Judah [C 605 bc]. This is the Lord’s message to Egypt:
3 “Prepare your shields, large and small,
and ·march out [advance] for battle!
4 Harness the horses
and ·get on them [L mount the steeds]!
·Go to your places for battle [Take your station]
and put on your helmets!
·Polish [Burnish] your spears.
Put on your ·armor [coats of mail]!
5 What do I see?
That army is terrified,
and the soldiers ·are running away [have turned back].
Their warriors are defeated.
They ·run away [flee] quickly
without looking back.
There is terror on every side [6:5; 20:3, 10; 49:29]!” says the Lord.
6 “The fast runners cannot ·run away [flee];
the strong soldiers cannot escape.
They stumble and fall
in the north, by the Euphrates River.
7 Who is this, rising up like the Nile River,
like ·strong, fast rivers [rivers whose waters surge]?
8 Egypt rises up like the Nile River,
like ·strong, fast rivers [rivers whose waters surge].
Egypt says, ‘I will rise up and cover the earth.
I will destroy cities and the people in them!’
9 ·Horsemen [or Horses], ·charge into battle [advance]!
·Chariot drivers [or Chariots], drive hard!
·March on [L Go out], brave soldiers—
soldiers from the countries of Cush [C Ethiopia] and Put [C Libya] who carry shields,
soldiers from Lydia [C from eastern Asia Minor] who ·use [L grasp and draw] bows.
10 “But that day belongs to the Lord God ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts].
At that time he will give ·those people [his foes] the punishment they deserve.
The sword will ·kill [L devour] until it is ·finished [satisfied; sated],
until it ·satisfies its thirst for [L gets satiated/drunk with] their blood.
The Lord God ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] will offer a sacrifice
in the land of the north, by the Euphrates River [C Babylon].
11 “Go up to Gilead and get some balm [8:22],
·people [L virgin daughter] of Egypt!
You have prepared many medicines,
·but they will not work [in vain];
you will not be healed.
12 The nations have heard of your ·shame [humiliation],
and your cries fill all the earth.
One warrior has ·run into [L stumbled over] another;
both of them have fallen down together!”
13 This is the message the Lord spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon’s coming to ·attack [L strike] Egypt:
14 “·Announce this message [Declare] in Egypt, and ·preach it [L make it heard] in Migdol.
·Preach it [L Make it heard] also in the cities of Memphis and Tahpanhes [44:1]:
‘·Get ready for war [Take your stations and be ready],
because the ·battle is [L sword devours] all around you.’
15 Egypt, why ·were your warriors killed [was it swept away; or has Apis fled; C the sacred bull of Egypt]?
They could not stand because the Lord pushed them down.
16 They stumbled again and again
and fell over each other.
They said, ‘Get up. Let’s go back
to our own people and our homeland.
·We must get away from our enemy’s sword [L …because of the destroyer’s/oppressor’s sword]!’
17 ·In their homelands those soldiers [L There they] called out,
‘The king of Egypt is only a lot of noise.
He missed his chance [C for glory]!’”
18 The King’s name is the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts].
He says, “As surely as I live,
one [C a powerful leader] will come.
He will be like Mount Tabor among the mountains,
like Mount Carmel by the sea [C distinctive and majestic mountains].
19 ·People [L Daughter] of Egypt, pack your things
to be taken away as ·captives [exiles],
because Memphis will be ·destroyed [a desolation].
It will be a ruin, and no one will live there.
20 “Egypt is like a beautiful ·young cow [heifer],
but a ·horsefly [gadfly] is coming
from the north [C Babylon] to attack her [C though small, gadflies are annoying].
21 ·The hired soldiers in Egypt’s army [L Its mercenaries]
are like fat calves,
because even they all turn and ·run away [flee] together;
they do not stand [C strong against the attack].
Their ·time of destruction [L day of their devastation/calamity] is coming;
·they will soon be punished [L the time of their punishment].
22 Egypt is like a hissing snake that is trying to escape.
The ·enemy [L army] comes closer and closer.
They come against it [C Egypt] with axes
like men who cut down trees.
23 They will ·chop [cut] down her forest [C Egypt’s army]
·as if it were a great forest [or for they cannot be numbered; C could refer either to the Babylonians or the Egyptians],” says the Lord.
“There are more [C enemy soldiers] than locusts;
there are too many to count.
24 The people of Egypt will be ·ashamed [humiliated].
They will be handed over to the enemy from the north [C Babylon].”
25 The Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts], the God of Israel, says: “Very soon I will punish Amon, the god of the city of Thebes [C a sun god]. And I will punish Egypt, her ·kings [L Pharaohs], her gods, and the people who ·depend on [have confidence in] the king. 26 I will hand those people over to ·their enemies, who want to kill them [L those who seek their life]. I will give them to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his ·officers [L servants]. But in the future, Egypt will live as it once did of old [C in peace],” says the Lord.
A Message to Israel
27 “People of Jacob, my servants, don’t be afraid;
don’t be frightened, Israel.
I will surely ·save [rescue] you from those faraway places
and your ·children [L seed] from the lands where they are captives.
The people of Jacob will have peace and safety again,
and no one will make them afraid.
28 People of Jacob, my servants, do not be afraid,
because I am with you,” says the Lord.
“I will ·completely destroy the many different [L make an end of all the] nations
where I ·scattered [drove] you.
But I will not ·completely destroy [L make an end of] you.
I will ·punish [chastise; discipline] you ·fairly [with justice],
but I will not let you escape your punishment.”
Jeremiah 46
New International Version
Jeremiah 46
New International Version
A Message About Egypt
46 This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations:(A)
2 Concerning Egypt:(B)
This is the message against the army of Pharaoh Necho(C) king of Egypt, which was defeated at Carchemish(D) on the Euphrates(E) River by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in the fourth year of Jehoiakim(F) son of Josiah king of Judah:
3 “Prepare your shields,(G) both large and small,
and march out for battle!
4 Harness the horses,
mount the steeds!
Take your positions
with helmets on!
Polish(H) your spears,
put on your armor!(I)
5 What do I see?
They are terrified,
they are retreating,
their warriors are defeated.
They flee(J) in haste
without looking back,
and there is terror(K) on every side,”
declares the Lord.
6 “The swift cannot flee(L)
nor the strong escape.
In the north by the River Euphrates(M)
they stumble and fall.(N)
7 “Who is this that rises like the Nile,
like rivers of surging waters?(O)
8 Egypt rises like the Nile,(P)
like rivers of surging waters.
She says, ‘I will rise and cover the earth;
I will destroy cities and their people.’(Q)
9 Charge, you horses!
Drive furiously, you charioteers!(R)
March on, you warriors—men of Cush[a](S) and Put who carry shields,
men of Lydia(T) who draw the bow.
10 But that day(U) belongs to the Lord, the Lord Almighty—
a day of vengeance(V), for vengeance on his foes.
The sword will devour(W) till it is satisfied,
till it has quenched its thirst with blood.(X)
For the Lord, the Lord Almighty, will offer sacrifice(Y)
in the land of the north by the River Euphrates.(Z)
11 “Go up to Gilead and get balm,(AA)
Virgin(AB) Daughter Egypt.
But you try many medicines in vain;
there is no healing(AC) for you.
12 The nations will hear of your shame;
your cries will fill the earth.
One warrior will stumble over another;
both will fall(AD) down together.”
13 This is the message the Lord spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon(AE) to attack Egypt:(AF)
14 “Announce this in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol;
proclaim it also in Memphis(AG) and Tahpanhes:(AH)
‘Take your positions and get ready,
for the sword devours(AI) those around you.’
15 Why will your warriors be laid low?
They cannot stand, for the Lord will push them down.(AJ)
16 They will stumble(AK) repeatedly;
they will fall(AL) over each other.
They will say, ‘Get up, let us go back
to our own people(AM) and our native lands,
away from the sword of the oppressor.’(AN)
17 There they will exclaim,
‘Pharaoh king of Egypt is only a loud noise;(AO)
he has missed his opportunity.(AP)’
18 “As surely as I live,” declares the King,(AQ)
whose name is the Lord Almighty,
“one will come who is like Tabor(AR) among the mountains,
like Carmel(AS) by the sea.
19 Pack your belongings for exile,(AT)
you who live in Egypt,
for Memphis(AU) will be laid waste(AV)
and lie in ruins without inhabitant.
20 “Egypt is a beautiful heifer,
but a gadfly is coming
against her from the north.(AW)
21 The mercenaries(AX) in her ranks
are like fattened calves.(AY)
They too will turn and flee(AZ) together,
they will not stand their ground,
for the day(BA) of disaster is coming upon them,
the time(BB) for them to be punished.
22 Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent
as the enemy advances in force;
they will come against her with axes,
like men who cut down trees.(BC)
23 They will chop down her forest,”
declares the Lord,
“dense though it be.
They are more numerous than locusts,(BD)
they cannot be counted.
24 Daughter Egypt will be put to shame,
given into the hands of the people of the north.(BE)”
25 The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “I am about to bring punishment on Amon god of Thebes,(BF) on Pharaoh,(BG) on Egypt and her gods(BH) and her kings, and on those who rely(BI) on Pharaoh. 26 I will give them into the hands(BJ) of those who want to kill them—Nebuchadnezzar king(BK) of Babylon and his officers. Later, however, Egypt will be inhabited(BL) as in times past,” declares the Lord.
27 “Do not be afraid,(BM) Jacob(BN) my servant;(BO)
do not be dismayed, Israel.
I will surely save you out of a distant place,
your descendants from the land of their exile.(BP)
Jacob will again have peace and security,
and no one will make him afraid.
28 Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant,
for I am with you,”(BQ) declares the Lord.
“Though I completely destroy(BR) all the nations
among which I scatter you,
I will not completely destroy you.
I will discipline you but only in due measure;
I will not let you go entirely unpunished.”
Footnotes
- Jeremiah 46:9 That is, the upper Nile region
Expanded Bible (EXB)
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New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.