CHAP. XLVI. V. 1. Gentiles.] Or, "Nations." ( Marg . Ref .) 'This title belongs to this 'and the five following chapters; and refers to 'that general denunciation of God's judgments 'upon the countries round about Judea, con'tained in the twenty-fifth chapter.' Lowth. ( Notes , 25:15-38.)-These nations had either helped forward the calamities of the Jews, or had rejoiced at them. These prophecies were 'not delivered all at the same time. To some 'the date is annexed; in others it is left uncer'tain.' Blayney .
Jerusalem, car
V. 2. After Pharaoh-necho had slain Josiah in battle, and had gained great advantages in the countries bordering rdering on the Euphrates; he returned home, he entered Jen home, ried Jehoahaz captive into Egypt, and left Jehoiakim upon the throne of Judah. ( Notes , 2 Kings 23:29-37. 2 Chr . 35:20-27.) Some time after he raised a very great army, and marched into the same regions to extend his conquests. But this prophecy had been before delivered, in which his entire defeat by Nebuchadnezzar was predicted. This took place about the same time that Jehoiakim, the vassal or ally of Pharaoh, was carried captive to
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. The eyes of the Lord are always upon us: he notices the troubles of the most inconsiderable of his servants; and he will reprove or encourage them, as he sees needful. We are all averse to the cross: but young converts, and inexperienced ministers, are most apt to be cast down by danger and opposition. Our de- || Babylon; who, making submissions to Nehu402]
3f Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle.
4 Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; & furbish the spears, and put on the b brigandines.
5 Wherefore have I seen them dismayed, and turned away back? and their mighty ones are * beaten down, and are fled apace, and look not back: for i fear was round about, saith the LORD.
6 Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates.
7 Who is this that cometh up • as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?
8 Egypt Priseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city, and the habitants thereof.
chadnezzar, was restored to his kingdom. ( Notes , 2 Kings 24:1-7. Dan . 1:1,2.)
V. 3, 4. This is a poetical and ironical call to the Egyptians to muster their forces; and implies that all their courage and efforts would be in vain. ( Notes , Is . 8:9,10. Joel 2:7-17, vv . 7-11.)- Furbish , (4) Or "Make bright." ( Note , Ez . 21:9,10.)
chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow.
10 For this is the day of the Lord GoD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate, and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord God of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.
11 Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: a in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured.
12 The nations have heard of thy shame, and thy cry hath filled the land: for the mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty, and they are fallen both together.
13 The word that the Lord spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come, and smite the land of Egypt.
Heb. Cush and Put. Gen. 10:6. Phut . 1 Chr. 1:8. Ez. 27:10. Phut . Nah. 3:9. Lubim . Acts 2:10.
s Gen. 10:13. 1 Chr. 1:11. Ludım. Is. 66:19. Ez. 27:10. Lud . 30:5.
t 51:6. Is. 13:6. 34:8. 61:2. 63:4. Joel 1:15. Zeph. 1:14,15. Luke 21:22.
u Deut. 32:42. Is. 34:5-8. Ez. 39:17-21. Zeph. 1:7,8. Rev. 19:17-21.
x See on 2,6.-2 Kings 24:7.
Ref .-Notes, Gen. 10:6,7.
y 8:22. 51:8. Gen. 37:25. 43. 11. Ez. 27:17.
z See on 14:17. Is. 47:1.
a 30:12-15. Ez. 80:21-25. Mic. 1:9. Nah. 3:19. Mark 5:26. Luke 8:43,44.
Heb. no cure shall be to thee. b Ez. 32:9-12. Nah. 8:8-10, с 14:2. 48:34. 49:21. 51:54. 1 Sam. 5:12. Is. 15:5-8. Zeph. 1:10.
d See on 6. Is. 10:4. 19:2. 44:30. Is. 19:
e 43:10-13. Ez. 29:-32:
Ez . 27:10,11. 30:4,5.)
V. 10. Pharaoh expected a day of victory and triumph: but the Lord intended a day of vengeance on him and on his army, and to make them a sacrifice to his offended justice; especially for their sin, in oppressing or deceiving Israel. ( Notes , Ez . 29:6,7,16.)- The day of 'the LORD often signifies the day of his ven
V. 5. Marg . and Marg . Ref . Notes, 20:1- 'geance: from thence it comes to signify the 6, υυ . 3,4. 30:5-9.
V. 6. 'The words imply, that it was God's 'command, that none of the Egyptian army 'should escape.' Lowth . It is doubtless a prediction of the event, and not the prayer or imprecation of Jeremiah. ( Marg . Ref . Is . 30:15 --17. Am . 2:14-16. 9:1-4.)
V. 7, 8. He derideth the boastings of the 'Egyptians, who thought by their riches and 'power to have overcome all the world; alluding to the river Nilus, which at certain times 'overfloweth the country of Egypt.' ( Notes , Ex . 15:9,10. Is . 8:6-8. 10:8-11. Ez . 29:2-5. Dan . 11:22,23.)-Chaldea and Babylon seem especially meant, which Pharaoh-necho vainly expected to subjugate.
V. 9. Note, Nah . 2:3-6.- Ethiopians , &c.] 'These names in Hebrew are Cush, and Phut, and Lud, who were the Egyptians' allies, ( Ez . 30:5.) which makes it probable that they are all Africans: Cush, though it often signi'fies Arabia, yet sometimes denotes Ethiopia. Phut is here rendered Lybia; but Phut 'and Lubim are spoken of as distinct people. ( Nah . 3:9.) Phut may probably signify Mau'ritania, and Lud, or Ludim, the people of Me'roe. These were famous for the use of the bow. Is . 66:19. Lowth . ( Marg . and Marg ,
'day of judgment, in the New Testament, of 'which all other days of vengeance are the ear'nests and forerunners.... The slaughter of men is called a sacrifice , because it makes some 'kind of satisfaction and atonement to God's 'justice.' Lowth . (Notes, Is . 34:3-8. Ez . 39:17 --20. Rev. 19:17-21.)
V. 11. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . Notes , 8:21, 22. 30:12--18.)--'He sheweth that no salve or 'medicine can prevail, where God giveth the 'wound.'
V. 12. The disgrace of being vanquished, is commonly as much dreaded by mighty and haughty monarchs and nations, as the actual loss or suffering. The pride of Pharaoh and the Egyptians would, however, soon be, in this respect, most deeply mortified. ( Marg . Ref . )-This prophecy seems to have been fulfilled very soon after it was published. ( Note , 2.) The Egyptians were routed with immense slaughter, which is predicted with great animation, and illustrated by most affecting and awful similitudes.
V. 13. The foregoing prophecy related to a great victory of Nebuchadnezzar over the king of Egypt, near the Euphrates: but this foretels the invasion of Egypt by the king of Babylon, and his entire conquest of that coun
14 Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in || Migdol, and publish in Noph, and in Tahpanhes: say ye, & Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee.
15 Why are ithy valiant men swept away? they stood not, because the LORD
did drive them.
16 He made many to fall, yea, one fell upon another; and they said, Arise, and let us go again to our own people, and to the land of our nativity, from the oppressing sword.
17 They did cry there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he hath passed the time appointed.
18 As I live, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts, Surely as Tabor is among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he come.
19 O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, go into captivity: for
furnish thyself to
f See on 43:9. 44.1.-Ex. 14:2. Ez. 30:16-18.
g See on 3,4.-6:1-5. Joel 3:9 -12.
h See on 10. 2:30. 12:12.-2 Sam. 2:26. Is. 1:20. 31:8. 34:6. Nah. 2:13.
i 5,21. Judg. 5:20,21. Is. 66: 15,16.
k Ex. 6:1. Deut. 11:23. Ps. 44: 2. 68:2. 114:2-7.
*Heb. multiplied the faller. 1 Lev. 26:36,37.
m 21. 51:9.
Noph shall be "waste and desolate without an inhabitant.
20 Egypt is like a very fair heifer, but destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north.
21 Also her hired men are in the midst of her like + fatted bullocks: for they also are turned back, and are fled away together: they did not stand, because the day of their calamity was come upon them, and the time of their visitation.
22 The voice thereof shall go like a serpent; for they shall march with an army, ⚫ and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.
23 They shall cut down her forest, saith the Lord, though it cannot be search ed; & because they are more than the grasshoppers, and are innumerable.
24 The daughter of Egypt shall be confounded; she shall be delivered into the hand of the people of the north.
25 The LORD of hosts, the God of Is
s See on 44:1.- Ez. 30:13,16. u 26:9. 34:22, 51:29,37. Zeph. 2:5.
x 50:11. Hos. 10:11.
y See on 6,10. 1:14.-25:9. 47:2. z 9,16. 2 Sam. 10:6. 2 Kings 7:6. Ez. 27:10,11. 30:4-6. a 50:11,27. Is. 34:7.
Heb. bullocks of the stall. Prov. 15:17. Am. 6:4. b See on 5,15,16.
c 18:17. Deut. 32:35. Ps. 37: 13. Is. 10:3. Ez. 35:5. Hos. 9:7. Ob. 13. Mic. 7:4
d Is. 29:4. Mic. 1:8.
7:16,17.
e 51:20-23. Is. 19:15.33,34. 14:8. 37:24. Zech. 11:2.
f Is. 10:18,19. Ez. 20:46,47. g Judg. 6:5. 7:12. Joel 2:25. Rev. 9:2-10.
h See on 11,19.-Ps. 137:8. i 20. Ez. 29:-32:
try. This took place about seventeen years after the destruction of Jerusalem. Probably, the prediction was delivered by Jeremiah, after he went down into Egypt. ( Notes , 43:8- 'coast, than this word of mine is firmly fixed В. С. 587 rael, saith; Behold, I will punish the * mul- || for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, titude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, and thy seed from the land of their cap1 with their gods, mand their kings; even tivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in Pharaoh, n and all them that trust in rest, and at ease, and none shall make him him.
13. 44:29,30. Is . 19:1-17. Ez . 29:-32:)
V. 14. Marg . Ref . f.- Stand , &c.] That is, 'Prepare to act upon the defensive, for Egypt 'will soon be invaded; the sword having al'ready devoured all the adjacent regions.' ( Marg . Ref . g, h.- Note , 3,4.)
V. 15. 'The Hebrew word ... rendered val
' iant , is sometimes spoken of God; ( Gen. 49.
given to angels; ( Ps .
24.) sometimes is a title gi 78:25.) and here the Septuagint understand it 'of Apis, the idol of Egypt.' Lowth . There is no reason to think, that this idol was intended; but either the mighty princes of Egypt; or, if the noun )אֲרִירִיךְ( should be in the singular number, as it is probable; (for both the verb and pronoun are singular;) then the king himself may be intended. The LXX have, Διατι έφυγεν απο σε ὁ Απις; ὁ μοσχος ὁ εκλεκτος σε ουκ εμει"Wherefore did Apis flee from thee? Thy elect calf abode not." It is not improbable, that both the translation, and the interpolation, were intended as an attack on the Egyptian idolatry: an injudicious and criminal, even if a well intended measure; which has too often been imitated by those, who, to serve a good cause , are not very scrupulous about the means which they employ. ( Note , Rom . 3:58.)
νεν.
V. 16, 17. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . — Note , 51: 9.) The allies of Egypt, finding themselves un able to maintain the conflict, and perceiving that Pharaoh, though he had boasted great things, was not punctual to his engagements in coming to their assistance, resolved to escape for their lives, and return bome, if they were able. ( Marg . Ref . n.- Note , 8:20.)
V. 18. 'Mount Tabor is not more surely fix'ed among the rest of the mountains, nor Car'mel more immoveably seated upon the sea'in heaven, and shall undoubtedly be perform'ed. The king of Babylon shall come against Egypt.' Bp . Hall . ( Marg . Ref .)
V. 19. Marg . and Marg . Ref .- Furnish , &c.] "The expression is ironical, implying, that in'stead of the rich and goodly furniture, where'in she did pride herself, she should be carried 'away captive, naked and bare, and wanting 'all manner of conveniences. ( Is . 20:4. 47:2,3.)
Lowth . ( Note , Ez . 12:1-7.)
V. 20. 'In the foregoing verse, the prophet 'compared Egypt to a delicate young woman. 'vored heifer. (50:11.)-In which comparison 'Grotius not improbably conjectures, there is 'an allusion to their god Apis, who was a bull 'remarkable for his beauty. Lowth .--The last clause is very emphatical. -"Destruction from the north, it cometh, it cometh." ( Marg . Ref .) V. 21. Marg . and Marg . Ref . Notes , 16,17. 50:27.
Here he resembles her to a fat and well fa
V. 22. Like a serpent.] The Egyptians would no longer utter boasting words; but in a more abject and timid manner express their terror and resentment, like a serpent hissing out of its hole, or when it is pursued. "An enchanter." Blayney . ( Marg . Ref . d.- Note , Is 29:3,4.) - With axes , &c.] Marg . Ref . e.- Note ,
23.
V. 23. The cities of Egypt were very many, and the inhabitants both exceedingly numerous and wealthy; but this would only render them the richer booty to the conqueror: as the hewer of wood prefers those forests, where the trees are of many and of large growth. ( Marg . Ref . )- Forest , &c.] Notes , Is . 10:16-19,28-34, υυ . 33,34. Ez . 20:45-48.
V. 24, 25. Marg , and Marg . Ref .- Multitude of No. (25) 'The Hebrew word Ammon Minno , 'may be literally rendered Ammon of No. The 'same place is expressed in Ezekiel by Hamon 'No. (30:15.) And in Nahum it is called No ' Amon . (3:8.) The name is generally thought 'to be derived from Jupiter Ammon, whose 'temple was there.... It is rendered Diospolis 'by the Septuagint, which is the Greek name 'for Thebes, famous in Homer's time for its 'hundred gates.' Lowth . (Notes, Ez . 30:1419. Nah . 3:8-11.) "Ammon of No," signifies 'the deity of the place.... From the similitude
המון and אמון of'
afraid.
28 Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will "make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee
wholly unpunished.
r 23:3,4. 29:14. 31:8-11.32:37. Is. 11:11, &c. Ez. 34:10-14. 36:24. 37:21,22. 39:25. Am. 9:14. Mic. 7:11-16.
s 23:6. 33:16. 50:19. Ez. 34: 25,26. 39:25.
t 1:19. 15:20. 30:11. Josh. 1: 5,9. Ps. 46:7,11. Is. 8:9,10. 41:10. 43:2. Matt. 1:23. 28:20.
Acts 18:10. 2 Tim. 4:17,22. u 25.9. Is. 45:23. Dan. 2:35. x 4:27. 5 :10,18. 32:42-44. 33:24-26. Am. 9:8,9. Rom. 11:15-17.
y See on 10:24. Hab. 3:2. 1 Cor. 11:32.
↑ Or, not utterly cut thee off .
those who obey the gospel.--The immense preparations, which in all ages have been inade for the destruction of the human species, shew the power of Satan, the great "murderer from the beginning," over our fallen race, by means of the pride, ambition, avarice, and revenge of the human heart: and likewise that God considers men as condemned criminals, whom he employs as executioners of each other, as he sees good. ( Note , Num . 31: 2.)--Neither valor, strength, speed, nor numbers, can avail those, whom the righteous God determines to make sacrifices to his justice: but they must be dismayed, flee away, their vain-glorious
dated the other but must be our translators, and others be
'... Ammon of No, the principal deity, and 'Pharaoh, the principal man, .. are marked out '... as the primary objects of the divine visita- 'tion: then follow in the gross, Egypt, with all gross,, Egypt, 'her gods, and all her kings.' kings.' Blayney . All them that trust in him .] Marg . Ref . n.- Note , Ez . 29:6,7.
V. 26. ( Notes , 43:8-13. 44:29,30.) It is supposed that Pharaoh-hophra was slain by Amasis; but Amasis was at that time the deputy of Nebuchadnezzar, who was principally employed in executing the vengeance of God on the Egyptians.
Afterward, &c.] Nebuchadnezzar's conquest of Egypt was preceded, attended, and follow-er, they all fall together; and the state becomes
ed, by violent internal convulsions and revolutions: and Egypt did not recover from these calamities, till about forty years afterwards. ( Marg . Ref . p.- Notes , Ez . 29:8-15.)
V. 27, 28. ( Note , 30:10,11.) The Jews who had taken shelter in Egypt, were, with very few exceptions, devoted to destruction: ( Notes , 44:14,28.) but this repetition of the Lord's former assurances to the nation of Israel, was intended to encourage the hopes of those in other places, who regarded his word, with the prospect of better times and returning and permanent tranquillity. ( Notes , 23:3–8. Is . 41:10 -16. 43:5-7. Ez . 34:23--31.)--The repetition, also, of so remarkable a promise, shews that it was considered as of very great importance, and should remind us of its remarkable accomplishment even to this day.--The words, "Fear not thou, O Jacob, &c." as repeated in the concluding verse, gives the promise additional energy, and renders the passage peculiarly poetical. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . )
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. Every part of scripture speaks terror to the impenitent and unbelieving, and comfort to
boasts and sanguine expectations, must end in disappointment intment and confusion.--Those who devise mischief against others, generally fall into it themselves: and the wounds, which God inflicts on his enemies, can be healed by no medicines.--How do power and prosperity pass from one to another in this changing world! Those nations, which were "the terror of the mighty," and seemed ready to obtain dominion over the whole earth, are speedily so weakened that they cannot defend themselves!
But nothing so exposes kingdoms to hostile invaders, as intestine discords; whilst mighty men thus stumble one against anothincapable of defending itself against the de vouring sword of its enemies. ( Notes , Is . 19:2, 3,11--14.)-When such events take place, when allies prove treacherous, and renowned princes and captains but a noise; when valiant men are swept away or put to flight, the hand of the Lord should be acknowledged: for how can they stand whom he drives away? or be courageous, whom he surrounds with terrors?
When his "day of visitation cometh," the magnificence, luxury, and affluence of mighty nations vanish as a dream: and those who were sensual and strong, as fatted bullocks, fall an easy prey to every invader; and can no more resist them, than the forest can the axe of him that fells it.
So that they, who trust in themselves, or in "an arm of flesh," must be confounded and punished.--But there is an appointed period to all earthly calamities: and therefore our grand concern is to "flee from the wrath to come." Instead of "making provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof," we should be daily preparing for death and judgment. Having sought reconciliation to our offended God through Jesus Christ, we should stand fast in the faith, and seek to be