Jeremiah 46:13
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This isn't just a prediction; it's God's direct, spoken "word" to Jeremiah, highlighting how intimately involved He is in the grand, unfolding events of nations. It emphasizes that Nebuchadnezzar's impending invasion of Egypt, a mighty empire, is not a random act of power but a specific divine announcement.
The word that the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to strike the land of Egypt:
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse introduces a new prophecy, distinct from the previous chapter's focus on a battle defeat, that foretells the impending invasion of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. This invasion is presented not just as a military strike, but as a comprehensive subjugation of the land itself, an event that would unfold years after the fall of Jerusalem and likely served as a warning to the Judean refugees seeking refuge there.
Sometimes a simple phrase, 'The word that the LORD spoke,' signals something significant. It's not just a continuation, but a fresh divine message.
This verse marks the beginning of a distinct prophecy about Egypt. It's a new declaration from God, separate from what came before.
Separate but Connected
This prophecy wasn't about a single battle, like some earlier predictions, but about a larger, more devastating invasion of the entire land of Egypt. It was fulfilled years after Jerusalem's fall, showing God's long-term perspective and His consistent word to His people, even across different events and timeframes.
The name Nebuchadnezzar likely conjures images of power and conquest. But here, he's more than just a king; he's an instrument in God's hand.
The prophecy zeroes in on Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and his specific mission: to strike Egypt. This wasn't a random invasion, but a divinely ordained event.
God's Sovereign Hand
Even powerful empires and their ambitious rulers are subject to God's ultimate authority. While Nebuchadnezzar had his own motivations, God used him to carry out His purposes. This prophecy served as a stark warning to the people of Judah, especially those who fled to Egypt, that no refuge was truly safe from God's judgment or His overarching plan.
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YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal name of the one true God of Israel, the covenant-keeping I AM, who reveals Himself to His people and exerts sovereign authority over the history and affairs of all nations.
nabi · Hebrew Noun
A title for an individual tasked by God to receive, declare, and interpret His divine messages to the people. A prophet functions as God's mouthpiece, often warning of impending judgment or calling for repentance.
This prophecy highlights God's sovereign hand over nations, even in their political and military conflicts. It reveals that God used Nebuchadnezzar's ambition and military might not just for Babylon's glory, but also to judge and discipline Egypt, showing that even powerful empires are accountable to God.
605 BC
Battle of Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar, as crown prince, decisively defeated the Egyptian forces and their allies, marking the end of Egyptian dominance in the region and the rise of Babylon.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple, leading to the Babylonian exile of many Judeans.
c. 585-570 BC
Jeremiah in Egypt
After the fall of Jerusalem, a remnant of Judeans, including Jeremiah, fled to Egypt, seeking refuge.
c. 570-568 BC
Pharaoh Hophra's Downfall
Pharaoh Amasis II revolted against Pharaoh Hophra, eventually seizing power. This internal conflict weakened Egypt.
c. 568-567 BC— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar invades Egypt
Nebuchadnezzar launched a major invasion of Egypt, taking advantage of the internal strife following Hophra's defeat. This fulfilled the prophecy.
c. 560 BC
Ezekiel's Prophecy on Egypt
Ezekiel also prophesied a devastating invasion of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar, with the spoils of Egypt promised to Babylon for their long siege of Tyre.
This passage directly addresses Nebuchadnezzar's conquest of Egypt, elaborating on the spoils he would gain as his reward for the long siege of Tyre, which aligns with the context of Jeremiah 46:13.
Jeremiah 43:10-13Jeremiah prophesies here that Nebuchadnezzar will set up his throne in Egypt itself, which provides a direct continuation and specific detail to the word spoken about his coming to strike the land.
Isaiah 19:1-15This earlier prophecy foretells a devastating invasion of Egypt by a powerful king from the north, setting a thematic precedent for the invasion described by Jeremiah.
2 Kings 24:7This verse mentions that the king of Egypt went out, but did not succeed against the king of Babylon, indirectly referencing the initial clash at Carchemish and setting the stage for Babylon's later, full invasion of Egypt.
gillJeremiah 46:13: "The word that the LORD spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come and smite the land of Egypt."
The word that the Lord spake to Jeremiah the prophet,.... This is a new and distinct prophecy from the former, though concerning Egypt as that; but in this they differ; the former prophecy respects only the overthrow of the Egyptian army at a certain place; this latter the general destruction of the land; and was fulfilled some years after the other…
pooleJeremiah 46:13: "The word that the LORD spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come and smite the land of Egypt."
A revelation different from the former in this, that the former only foretold the overthrow of the king of Egypt in a particular battle in Carchemish near Euphrates, of which we read that the thing was done, 2 Kings 24:7 . This foretells the king of Babylon’s overrunning all the land of Egypt, and was not fulfilled till some years after Zedekiah was…
This isn't just a prediction; it's God's direct, spoken "word" to Jeremiah, highlighting how intimately involved He is in the grand, unfolding events of nations. It emphasizes that Nebuchadnezzar's impending invasion of Egypt, a mighty empire, is not a random act of power but a specific divine announcement.
This verse introduces a new prophecy, distinct from the previous chapter's focus on a battle defeat, that foretells the impending invasion of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. This invasion is presented not just as a military strike, but as a comprehensive subjugation of the land itself, an event that would unfold years after the fall of Jerusalem and likely served as a warning to the Judean refugees seeking refuge there.
This verse introduces a new prophecy, distinct from the previous chapter's focus on a battle defeat, that foretells the impending invasion of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. This invasion is presented not just as a military strike, but as a comprehensive subjugation of the land itself, an event that would unfold years after the fall of Jerusalem and likely served as a warning to the Judean refugees seeking refuge there.
"The word that the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to strike the land of Egypt:" — This isn't just a prediction; it's God's direct, spoken "word" to Jeremiah, highlighting how intimately involved He is in the grand, unfolding events of nations. It emphasizes that Nebuchadnezzar's i…
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Last reviewed October 2026
