King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 46:10 Mean?

Jeremiah 46:10 in the King James Version says “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 swo... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 46:10 · KJV


Context

8

Egypt riseth 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 inhabitants thereof.

9

Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye 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. the Ethiopians: Heb. Cush the Libyans: Heb. Put

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: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured. thou shalt: Heb. no cure shall be unto thee

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God declares the battle where Egypt falls is 'the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance.' This applies 'Day of the LORD' language (usually reserved for Israel) to pagan nations, showing God's sovereignty extends to all. The battle becomes a sacrifice to God - Egypt's army is the offering. God's justice requires satisfaction, and He will have His vengeance on the proud who oppose His purposes.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecies Egypt's defeat at Carchemish in 605 BC, where Babylon crushed Egypt's power. This battle changed the ancient Near East's political landscape.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's sovereignty over pagan nations inform your understanding of history?
  2. What does it mean that God 'has a sacrifice' in the judgment of nations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
י֤וֹם1 of 24

For this is the day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֜וּא2 of 24
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לַאדֹנָ֨י3 of 24

for the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֧ה4 of 24

GOD

H3069

god

צְבָא֛וֹת5 of 24

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

י֤וֹם6 of 24

For this is the day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

נְקָמָה֙7 of 24

of vengeance

H5360

avengement, whether the act of the passion

לְהִנָּקֵ֣ם8 of 24

that he may avenge

H5358

to grudge, i.e., avenge or punish

מִצָּרָ֔יו9 of 24

him of his adversaries

H6862

a pebble (as in h6864)

וְאָכְלָ֥ה10 of 24

shall devour

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

חֶ֙רֶב֙11 of 24

and the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וְשָׂ֣בְעָ֔ה12 of 24

and it shall be satiate

H7646

to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)

וְרָוְתָ֖ה13 of 24

and made drunk

H7301

to slake the thirst (occasionally of other appetites)

מִדָּמָ֑ם14 of 24

with their blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

כִּ֣י15 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

זֶ֠בַח16 of 24

hath a sacrifice

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

לַאדֹנָ֨י17 of 24

for the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֧ה18 of 24

GOD

H3069

god

צְבָא֛וֹת19 of 24

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ20 of 24

country

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

צָפ֖וֹן21 of 24

in the north

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

אֶל22 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נְהַר23 of 24

by the river

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

פְּרָֽת׃24 of 24

Euphrates

H6578

perath (i.e., euphrates), a river of the east


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 46:10 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 46:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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