Jeremiah 46:2
About Egypt. Concerning the army of Pharaoh Neco, king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates at Carchemish and which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah:
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just announcing a future battle; it's pinpointing a very specific moment: Pharaoh Neco's army at Carchemish, right before their decisive defeat by Nebuchadnezzar. This sets the stage to show God's hand even in the rise and fall of world powers, and that no earthly military might can ultimately thwart His plans for His people.
This chapter begins Jeremiah's prophecies against foreign nations, specifically focusing on Egypt. It sets the scene for a significant historical event: the battle at Carchemish where Pharaoh Neco's army, on its way to confront Babylon, was decisively defeated by Nebuchadnezzar. This defeat occurred in the fourth year of Jehoiakim's reign in Judah, a time when Egypt had previously defeated and killed King Josiah.
Jeremiah's message wasn't just for Judah; God's word reached far beyond their borders. Why did He send prophecies against nations like Egypt?
This chapter marks a significant shift as Jeremiah's prophetic focus expands beyond Judah to include the surrounding nations. While many of these prophecies were declared before the events, they often describe future judgments.
A specific battle at a place called Carchemish is mentioned. What makes this clash between Egypt and Babylon so significant?
Verse 2 pinpoints a pivotal moment in ancient Near Eastern history: the defeat of the Egyptian army by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon at Carchemish.
Why would God send a prophecy about Egypt's downfall to the people of Judah, especially after their king had been killed?
The prophecy against Egypt served a dual purpose: it declared God's judgment on an oppressive foreign power, and it offered a measure of comfort and assurance to Judah.
Understand the original words
chayil · Hebrew Noun
A generic term for a large group of armed combatants or a military force, often used in the context of divine judgment or historical conflict.
This prophecy against Egypt isn't just about a military defeat; it's a divine message delivered to Judah during a time of great upheaval. The crushing loss of Pharaoh Neco's army at Carchemish by Nebuchadnezzar underscores God's power over all nations, offering a glimmer of hope and divine oversight to the discouraged people of Judah, especially following the death of their righteous king, Josiah.
c. 610 BC
Pharaoh Neco II becomes King of Egypt
Pharaoh Neco II, a powerful ruler of the 26th Dynasty, ascended to the throne and began to expand Egyptian influence into Asia.
c. 609 BC
Battle of Megiddo
Pharaoh Neco II's army defeated the forces of King Josiah of Judah at Megiddo, a significant battle where Josiah was killed.
c. 609 BC
Pharaoh Neco installs Jehoiakim as King
After defeating Josiah, Pharaoh Neco deposed Jehoahaz and installed his brother Jehoiakim as the new king of Judah, making Judah a vassal state of Egypt.
c. 609-605 BC
Egyptian Campaign in Syria
Pharaoh Neco's army advanced and captured the strategic city of Carchemish on the Euphrates River, extending Egyptian control into Babylonian territory.
This passage describes Pharaoh Neco's encounter with King Josiah at Megiddo, setting the stage for the later conflict mentioned in Jeremiah.
2 Kings 24:7This verse directly states that the king of Egypt (Pharaoh Neco) had no more strength to come out of his land after his defeat by Nebuchadnezzar, confirming the outcome prophesied in Jeremiah.
Isaiah 10:9This passage mentions Carchemish as a conquered city, providing a historical and geographical link to the location of Pharaoh Neco's defeat.
2 Chronicles 35:20-24This account details Josiah's fatal confrontation with Pharaoh Neco, which directly precedes and influences the context of the prophecy against Egypt's army.
Daniel 11:26This verse speaks of a future conflict between the king of the North and the king of the South, offering a broader prophetic perspective on the ongoing power struggles in the region that included Egypt and Babylon.
barnesJeremiah 46:2: "Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah."
Against ... - i. e., relating to, concerning. So Jeremiah 48:1 ; Jeremiah 49:1 ; see the note at Jeremiah 46:13 . Pharaoh-necho - See 2 Kings 23:29 note. In - (at) Carchemish - (The Gargamis of the inscriptions, now Jerabis, on the Euphrates, about 16 miles south…
calvinJeremiah 46:1-2: "The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles;"
Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah.
Quantum ad Aegyptum, contra exercitum Pharaonis Necho, regis Aegypti qui erat super flumen Euphratem in Charchamis, quem percussit Nabuchadnezer, rex Babylonis, anno quarto Jeh…
This verse isn't just announcing a future battle; it's pinpointing a very specific moment: Pharaoh Neco's army at Carchemish, right before their decisive defeat by Nebuchadnezzar. This sets the stage to show God's hand even in the rise and fall of world powers, and that no earthly military might can ultimately thwart His plans for His people.
This chapter begins Jeremiah's prophecies against foreign nations, specifically focusing on Egypt. It sets the scene for a significant historical event: the battle at Carchemish where Pharaoh Neco's army, on its way to confront Babylon, was decisively defeated by Nebuchadnezzar. This defeat occurred in the fourth year of Jehoiakim's reign in Judah, a time when Egypt had previously defeated and killed King Josiah.
This chapter begins Jeremiah's prophecies against foreign nations, specifically focusing on Egypt. It sets the scene for a significant historical event: the battle at Carchemish where Pharaoh Neco's army, on its way to confront Babylon, was decisively defeated by Nebuchadnezzar. This defeat occurred in the fourth year of Jehoiakim's reign in Judah, a time when Egypt had previously defeated and killed King Josiah.
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605 BC— this verse
Battle of Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar, crown prince of Babylon, decisively defeated the Egyptian army led by Pharaoh Neco II at Carchemish, shattering Egyptian power in the region.
c. 605 BC
Babylonian Dominance Established
The Babylonian victory at Carchemish marked the end of Egyptian imperial ambitions in Asia and the beginning of Nebuchadnezzar's rise to power, with Babylon becoming the dominant force.
"About Egypt. Concerning the army of Pharaoh Neco, king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates at Carchemish and which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah:" — This verse isn't just announcing a future battle; it's pinpointing a very specific moment: Pharaoh Neco's army at Carchemish, right before their decisive defeat by Nebuchadnezzar. This sets the stage…
