Jeremiah 43 - Introduction

Jeremiah 43:8-13. Prophecy of Nebuchadnezzar's conquest of Egypt

Du. considers this passage as "evidently a wholly worthless Midrash." Erbt deals at length with this statement, and in an eloquent passage (pp. 73 ff.) maintains that the prophet's action here is the outcome of an internal conflict, brought about by the charge made against him in Jeremiah 43:2 f. Recent torture of soul resulted in this oracle from God, preceded by the action here related. The devastation, which he foretells, shall be wrought by the very person from whom his countrymen thought to escape by leaving Palestine for Egypt. Had they remained at home, Nebuchadnezzar would have been friendly to them. Through their action, opposed to the Divine command, they will be involved in the fate of Egypt.

The section may be summarized as follows.

Jeremiah 43:8. While Jeremiah was in Tahpanhes, he received the Divine command to hide great stones at the entrance to Pharaoh's house there, and say, as he did so, to the men of Judah, that Jehovah will place the king of Babylon's throne over those stones, and that Nebuchadnezzar's coming will result in death and captivity. He will burn and carry away the Egyptian gods. He will deal with Egypt as a shepherd deals with his garment, and he will break down the obelisks of Beth-shemesh.