Jeremiah 46:25
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While the verse lists Egypt's gods and kings for punishment, the repetition of Pharaoh and the explicit mention of "those who trust in him" strongly points to how human rulers and reliance on them are directly tied to spiritual judgment. This isn't just about political downfall, but about God exposing the futility of misplaced faith, whether in idols or earthly powers.
The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, said: “Behold, I am bringing punishment upon Amon of Thebes, and Pharaoh and Egypt and her gods and her kings, upon Pharaoh and those who trust in him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This prophecy follows God's judgment on Egypt for its role in oppressing His people. Jeremiah has just declared the impending doom of Egypt at the hands of the Babylonians, emphasizing that even their mighty gods and powerful leaders will not save them. This verse specifically names Amon of Thebes, Egypt's chief deity, and its king, Pharaoh, highlighting that the entire nation, its idols, and its rulers will face divine punishment for their pride and the misplaced trust of many, including the Israelites who looked to Egypt for protection instead of God.
Egypt was a powerhouse, not just militarily, but religiously. They trusted in their vast pantheon of gods. What happens when the one true God declares judgment on them?
Jeremiah 46:25 brings a stunning declaration from the 'LORD of hosts, the God of Israel.' He doesn't just threaten Egypt; he explicitly targets 'her gods.'
The Limits of Idolatry
The scholars point out that "Amon of Thebes" was a chief deity, often merged with the sun god Ra. Thebes itself was a major religious and political center. Yet, God pronounces judgment not only on the city and its people but also on its divine patrons. This wasn't just a military defeat; it was a spiritual demolition.
A Divine Power Play
By saying 'I am bringing punishment upon... Egypt and her gods,' God demonstrates His supreme authority. The gods that Egyptians relied on for protection and power are shown to be utterly powerless against the God of Israel. They represent the ultimate form of false confidence – trusting in created things rather than the Creator.
The people of Judah were in a tough spot, facing the threat of Babylon. Their 'solution' was to trust in Egypt. God's message here is a stark warning against that very choice.
The verse concludes with a pointed declaration: 'upon Pharaoh and those who trust in him.' The commentary strongly suggests that 'those who trust in him' primarily refers to the people of Judah.
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The Peril of Political Alliances
Judah repeatedly looked to Egypt for military and political support against their enemies, particularly Babylon. This verse, and others like Isaiah 36:6 ('Behold, you have trusted in Egypt, that support of a broken reed'), show that this reliance was misplaced and ultimately destructive. Egypt, with all its might and its gods, was not a reliable savior.
God's Judgment Includes Their Allies
God's judgment extends not just to Egypt itself, but to all who placed their confidence in Egypt's power. This is a profound theological point: when we seek security in anything other than God, we align ourselves with that thing when God brings judgment upon it. It's a call to recognize that true safety and deliverance come only from the LORD of hosts.
Understand the original words
Tseba'ot · Hebrew Noun
A term that functions as a covenantal title, identifying the Almighty as the Commander of the armies of heaven, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty over all earthly and spiritual powers.
Elohei Yisrael · Hebrew Noun phrase
A title identifying the Creator as the specific God who entered into a unique, gracious covenant relationship with the descendants of Jacob.
paqad · Hebrew Verb
A term used in prophetic contexts to signal that God is about to perform a significant act of justice or intervention in history, often marking a turning point in judgment.
This prophecy against Egypt, specifically mentioning the capital Thebes (No-Amon) and Pharaoh, occurs during a period of significant geopolitical upheaval. Egypt, having lost its dominance after the Battle of Carchemish and facing internal turmoil and Babylonian pressure, was a target of God's judgment. The verse also speaks to the misplaced trust of Judean refugees who sought safety in Egypt, only to find it a 'broken reed'.
c. 664 BC
Assyrian Sack of Thebes
The Neo-Assyrian Empire under Ashurbanipal sacks the Egyptian city of Thebes, a major religious and political center. This event significantly weakened Egyptian power and prestige.
c. 605 BC
Battle of Carchemish
The Babylonian Empire decisively defeats the Egyptian forces under Pharaoh Necho II. This victory marked the end of Egypt's influence in the Levant and established Babylonian dominance.
c. 589-573 BC
Babylonian Siege of Jerusalem and Destruction
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem, eventually destroying the city and its Temple, and exiling many Judeans. This event deeply impacts Judah and leads some refugees to flee to Egypt.
c. 567 BC— this verse
Pharaoh Apries' Reign and Fall
Pharaoh Apries, who had allied with Jerusalem's last king, faces internal rebellion and Babylonian invasion. He is eventually overthrown and killed, a significant blow to Egyptian strength.
c. 539 BC
Fall of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, ushering in the Persian Empire. This shifts the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East.
This passage echoes Jeremiah's prophecy by stating God's judgment against Egypt and its idols, emphasizing the completeness of His punishment.
Isaiah 36:6This verse provides a direct parallel to the concept of trusting in Egypt, highlighting how that trust ultimately fails, similar to how Pharaoh and his allies will be punished.
Nahum 3:8This passage also speaks of the downfall of Egypt, specifically mentioning 'No-Amon' (Thebes), which is directly referenced in Jeremiah 46:25.
Jeremiah 46:2This verse immediately preceding our passage sets the stage by declaring that God's judgment is coming upon Egypt, making verse 25 a specific detail of that pronouncement.
Jeremiah 46:26This verse directly follows Jeremiah 46:25 and offers a promise of restoration for Egypt after their judgment, showing that God's judgment is not always final but part of a larger redemptive plan.
pulpitJeremiah 46:25: "The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings; even Pharaoh, and all them that trust in him:"
Verse 25. - The multitude of No; rather, Amen of No. Amon-Ra, or rather Amen-Ra, was the name adopted at Thebes (Homer's Thebes "of the hundred gateways," 'Iliad,' 9:383, called here "No," and in Nahum 3:8 "No [of] Anion") from the time of the eleventh dynasty, for the sun god Ra. Amen (A…
calvinJeremiah 46:25: "The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings; even Pharaoh, and all them that trust in him:"
- Dicit Jehova exercituum, Deus Israel, Ecce ego visito super multitudinem quae ab Alexandria, et super Pharaonem, et super Aegyptum, et super deos ejus, et super reges ejus, et super Pharaonem, et super eos, qui confidunt in ipso.
The Prophet speaks again in God's name, and sets God's…
While the verse lists Egypt's gods and kings for punishment, the repetition of Pharaoh and the explicit mention of "those who trust in him" strongly points to how human rulers and reliance on them are directly tied to spiritual judgment. This isn't just about political downfall, but about God exposing the futility of misplaced faith, whether in idols or earthly powers.
This prophecy follows God's judgment on Egypt for its role in oppressing His people. Jeremiah has just declared the impending doom of Egypt at the hands of the Babylonians, emphasizing that even their mighty gods and powerful leaders will not save them. This verse specifically names Amon of Thebes, Egypt's chief deity, and its king, Pharaoh, highlighting that the entire nation, its idols, and its rulers will face divine punishment for their pride and the misplaced trust of many, including the Israelites who looked to Egypt for protection instead of God.
This prophecy follows God's judgment on Egypt for its role in oppressing His people. Jeremiah has just declared the impending doom of Egypt at the hands of the Babylonians, emphasizing that even their mighty gods and powerful leaders will not save them. This verse specifically names Amon of Thebes, Egypt's chief deity, and its king, Pharaoh, highlighting that the entire nation, its idols, and its rulers will face divine punishment for their pride and the misplaced trust of many, including the Israelites who looked to Egypt for protection instead of God.
"The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, said: “Behold, I am bringing punishment upon Amon of Thebes, and Pharaoh and Egypt and her gods and her kings, upon Pharaoh and those who trust in him." — While the verse lists Egypt's gods and kings for punishment, the repetition of Pharaoh and the explicit mention of "those who trust in him" strongly points to how human rulers and reliance on them ar…
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Last reviewed October 2026
