Jeremiah 46 - Introduction

The prophecies against foreign nations are collected into one scroll Jer. 46–49. Compare Isa. 13–23; Ezek. 25–32. They are arranged in two great divisions:

(a) Jer. 46–49:33, spoken in connection with Jeremiah 25; and

(b) Jer. 50–51 spoken at a subsequent date against Babylon.

Between them is placed a prophecy against Elam Jeremiah 49:34 spoken in the first year of Zedekiah. The seven earlier prophecies belonging to the fourth year of Jehoiakim were written at the same time, and arranged as they at present stand. It is no doubt intentional that these prophecies against the nations are in number 7 (compare Amos 1:3; Amos 2:4).

Jeremiah 46. This prophecy against Egypt consists of two parts,

(a) a song of triumph because of her defeat at Carehemish Jeremiah 46:3;

(b) a prediction that the conqueror would invade Egypt from one end to the other Jeremiah 46:14.

Possibly a long delay intervened between these predictions.