Jeremiah 46:1

CHAPTER XLVI

The difference between the preceding and the subsequent

prophecies in point of composition is very remarkable; the

last excelling much in majesty and elegance. This chapter (of

which the first verse forms a general title to this and the

five chapters following) contains two distinct prophecies

relating to Egypt. The first was delivered previous to an

engagement between Pharaoh-necho, king of Egypt, and

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon; in which the Egyptians were

routed in Carchemish with great slaughter, as here predicted.

The prophet sees the mighty preparations; but they are all

declared to be of no avail, as God had decreed their fall, 1-6.

The King of Egypt, however, is represented as marching with all

the confidence of victory, like a river overflowing its banks,

and threatening all around with its inundation, 7, 8.

But this immense armament of Pharaoh-necho, consisting of

various nations, shall, by a righteous judgment of God, receive

such a signal overthrow near the river Euphrates, that the

political consequence of Egypt shall be thereby irretrievably

ruined, and its remaining power become contemptible in the

sight of the nations, 9-12.

The other prophecy, beginning at the thirteenth verse, relates

to the memorable overthrow of the Egyptians by Nebuchadnezzar,

subsequent to his siege of Tyre, in the sixteenth year after

the destruction of Jerusalem, 13-26.

The promise, in the conclusion of the chapter, of preservation

to the Jews, (who have for many ages continued a distinct

people, when the various nations of antiquity who oppressed

them, or with whom they had any intercourse, have long ago

ceased to have any separate and visible existence,) has been

most remarkably fulfilled; and is a very signal act of

providence, and a pledge of the restoration of Israel to the

Divine favour, when the time of the Gentiles shall be

fulfilled, 27, 28.

NOTES ON CHAP. XLVI

Verse Jeremiah 46:1. The word of the Lor d -against the Gentiles] This is a general title to the following collection of prophecies, written concerning different nations, which had less or more connexion with the Jews, either as enemies, neighbours, or allies.

They were not written at the same time; and though some of them bear dates, yet it would be difficult to give them any chronological arrangement. Dahler's mode of ascertaining the times of their delivery may be seen in the table in the introduction.