Jeremiah 46:13-14
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This isn't just another prophecy; it's specifically introduced as a distinct "word" from God, signaling a future event distinct from what just preceded it. It highlights that God's message to Jeremiah, and thus to us, often unfolds in stages, with new revelations addressing later realities.
The word that the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to strike the land of Egypt: “Declare in Egypt, and proclaim in Migdol; proclaim in Memphis and Tahpanhes; say, ‘Stand ready and be prepared, for the sword shall devour around you.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse introduces a new prophecy concerning Egypt, distinct from the preceding passage about the defeat of Pharaoh Neco's army at Carchemish. It foretells a future invasion of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, which would lead to the land's devastation. This invasion, prophesied by Jeremiah and Ezekiel, actually occurred sixteen years after Jerusalem's fall, serving as a warning to the Jewish refugees who had fled to Egypt.
This verse kicks off a new prophecy, but it's not about an immediate event. It points to something God revealed to Jeremiah about a future invasion.
Jeremiah 46:13 clearly marks the beginning of a new prophetic message. Unlike the previous verses that might have focused on immediate events or judgments, this one specifically announces "the word... about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar... to strike the land of Egypt." The scholars note that this wasn't an event happening at the same time as the preceding prophecy. It was a future event, some commentaries suggest it was fulfilled many years later, even after the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the Jews. This highlights a crucial aspect of prophecy: God reveals His plan, often with a timing that unfolds over years or even generations, showing His sovereign control over history.
Why would God send a message about an invasion that would happen years later? This prophecy served vital purposes for both the prophet and the people.
This verse isn't just a historical marker; it's a divine message with purpose. The scholars suggest this prophecy may have been delivered in Egypt itself, intended to warn the Jewish refugees who had fled there. It served as a stark reminder that no place was truly safe from God's judgment and that the land they sought refuge in would also face devastation. Furthermore, it reveals God's overarching plan, even using a foreign king like Nebuchadnezzar as an instrument to carry out His will. This demonstrates that God is sovereign over all nations and kings, using them, even unknowingly, to accomplish His purposes.
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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.
chereb · Hebrew Noun
A tool of warfare representing divine judgment, retribution, or the agency of destruction used by God to discipline or destroy nations that oppose His will.
This prophecy against Egypt was delivered years after the fall of Jerusalem, specifically targeting the land that many Judeans had fled to as their refuge. It highlights God's sovereign judgment extending even to powerful nations and those who defy Him, reminding His people that no refuge is secure apart from Him.
605 BC
Battle of Carchemish
The Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar decisively defeated the Egyptian forces, marking the end of Egyptian dominance in the region and the beginning of Babylonian imperial power.
587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple, leading to the Babylonian exile of many Judeans. This event deeply impacted Jeremiah's ministry.
c. 581 BC
Deportation to Egypt
Following the fall of Jerusalem, many Judeans fled to Egypt, despite Jeremiah's warnings. Jeremiah himself was taken to Egypt with them.
c. 570s BC
Pharaoh Hophra's Struggles
Pharaoh Hophra of Egypt faced internal rebellion and external threats, weakening the nation and setting the stage for foreign invasion.
c. 568 BC— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar Invades Egypt
Nebuchadnezzar led his armies to invade and conquer Egypt, fulfilling the prophecy delivered by Jeremiah years earlier. This campaign was a reward for his long siege of Tyre.
c. 560s BC
Amasis Becomes Pharaoh
Amasis eventually overthrew Hophra and ruled Egypt. While Egypt's internal power struggles continued, the Babylonian conquest marked a significant loss of sovereignty.
This passage directly parallels Jeremiah's prophecy, with Ezekiel also foretelling Nebuchadnezzar's conquest of Egypt and even specifying the length of the siege of Tyre as the reason for this divinely appointed reward for Babylon.
Jeremiah 43:10-13This earlier prophecy by Jeremiah, spoken while he was in Egypt, also foretells Nebuchadnezzar's arrival and his setting up his throne in Egypt, showing a consistent prophetic message about this invasion.
Isaiah 19:1-15This prophecy from Isaiah speaks of a future invasion of Egypt by a 'cruel master' and internal strife, setting a precedent for the prophetic theme of Egypt facing judgment from a powerful foreign force.
2 Kings 24:7This historical account confirms that Nebuchadnezzar was indeed actively expanding his empire and fighting against Egypt, providing the historical backdrop for Jeremiah's prophecy.
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 another prophecy; it's specifically introduced as a distinct "word" from God, signaling a future event distinct from what just preceded it. It highlights that God's message to Jeremiah, and thus to us, often unfolds in stages, with new revelations addressing later realities.
This verse introduces a new prophecy concerning Egypt, distinct from the preceding passage about the defeat of Pharaoh Neco's army at Carchemish. It foretells a future invasion of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, which would lead to the land's devastation. This invasion, prophesied by Jeremiah and Ezekiel, actually occurred sixteen years after Jerusalem's fall, serving as a warning to the Jewish refugees who had fled to Egypt.
This verse introduces a new prophecy concerning Egypt, distinct from the preceding passage about the defeat of Pharaoh Neco's army at Carchemish. It foretells a future invasion of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, which would lead to the land's devastation. This invasion, prophesied by Jeremiah and Ezekiel, actually occurred sixteen years after Jerusalem's fall, serving as a warning to the Jewish refugees who had fled to Egypt.
"The word that the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to strike the land of Egypt: “Declare in Egypt, and proclaim in Migdol; proclaim in Memphis and Tahpanhes; say, ‘Stand read…" — This isn't just another prophecy; it's specifically introduced as a distinct "word" from God, signaling a future event distinct from what just preceded it. It highlights that God's message to Jeremia…
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Last reviewed October 2026
