King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 43:9 Mean?

Jeremiah 43:9 in the King James Version says “Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln, which is at the entry of Pharaoh's house in...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 43 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln, which is at the entry of Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah;”

Jeremiah 43:9 · King James Version

Context

7

So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: thus came they even to Tahpanhes.

8

Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,

9

Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln, which is at the entry of Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah;

10

And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.

11

And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, and deliver such as are for death to death; and such as are for captivity to captivity; and such as are for the sword to the sword.

Read Jeremiah 43 full chapter

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln—God commands Jeremiah to perform a prophetic sign-act, a form of enacted prophecy common among the prophets (Isaiah 20:2-4; Jeremiah 13:1-11, 19:1-13; Ezekiel 4-5). Great stones (avanim gedolot, אֲבָנִים גְּדֹלֹת) were large rocks, probably foundation stones. Hide them (taman, טָמַן) means to bury or conceal. The location is specific: in the clay in the brickkiln (ba-melet ba-malben, בַּמֶּלֶט בַּמַּלְבֵּן)—either a brick pavement or clay mortar in a brick structure.

The location is crucial: which is at the entry of Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes. This was the royal residence or administrative building of Pharaoh's representative in Tahpanhes, a public and politically significant location. In the sight of the men of Judah (le'enei anshei Yehudah, לְעֵינֵי אַנְשֵׁי יְהוּדָה) means the symbolic act was performed publicly before the Jewish refugees as witnesses.

The stones symbolized Nebuchadnezzar's throne (v. 10)—they marked the spot where Babylon's king would establish his authority over Egypt. The irony is devastating: the remnant fled to Pharaoh's house for safety, yet God declares that very location will become Nebuchadnezzar's throne platform. They cannot escape divine judgment through geographical relocation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Prophetic sign-acts were embodied proclamations, making the message tangible and memorable. Jeremiah had previously performed such acts: wearing a yoke to symbolize Babylonian servitude (27:2), burying a linen belt to illustrate corruption (13:1-11), breaking a potter's vessel to picture Jerusalem's destruction (19:10-11). This act at Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes was particularly bold—performing a symbolic act predicting Egypt's conquest at an Egyptian royal building was politically dangerous and could be viewed as sedition. The witness of 'the men of Judah' ensured the prophecy was publicly recorded. When Nebuchadnezzar later invaded Egypt (circa 568 BC, attested by Josephus and fragmentary Babylonian chronicles), this prophecy was vindicated. The stones Jeremiah buried may have literally marked where Babylonian authorities set up their pavilion or throne, though the prophecy's fulfillment was more important than the physical stones' preservation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do prophetic sign-acts make God's word tangible and memorable in ways that mere verbal proclamation cannot?
  2. What does the location at 'Pharaoh's house'—the very symbol of Egyptian security—teach about the futility of trusting human power over God?
  3. How might God's judgment pursue us to the very places we flee for safety from His will?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
קַ֣ח1 of 15

“Take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

בְּיָדְךָ֞2 of 15

“in thine hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אֲבָנִ֣ים3 of 15

“stones”

H68

a stone

גְּדֹל֗וֹת4 of 15

“great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וּטְמַנְתָּ֤ם5 of 15

“and hide”

H2934

to hide (by covering over)

בַּמֶּ֙לֶט֙6 of 15

“them in the clay”

H4423

cement (from its plastic smoothness)

בַּמַּלְבֵּ֔ן7 of 15

“in the brickkiln”

H4404

a brickkiln

אֲשֶׁ֛ר8 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בְּפֶ֥תַח9 of 15

“which is at the entry”

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

בֵּית10 of 15

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

פַּרְעֹ֖ה11 of 15

“of Pharaoh's”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

בְּתַחְפַּנְחֵ֑ס12 of 15

“in Tahpanhes”

H8471

tachpanches, techaphneches or tachpenes, a place in egypt

לְעֵינֵ֖י13 of 15

“in the sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

אֲנָשִׁ֥ים14 of 15

“of the men”

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

יְהוּדִֽים׃15 of 15

“of Judah”

H3064

a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 43:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 43:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 19:1-15Jeremiah 18:2-12Jeremiah 51:63-642 Samuel 12:31Acts 21:11Nahum 3:14

Places in This Verse

TahpanhesSettlement · Modern: Tell Defenneh · 30.86°N, 32.17°E7 verses across 2 books
View all places in Jeremiah 43 →

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