King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 46:12 Mean?

Jeremiah 46:12 in the King James Version says “The nations have heard of thy shame, and thy cry hath filled the land: for the mighty man hath stumbled against the migh...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 46:12 · KJV

Context

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.

13

The word that the LORD spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come and smite the land of Egypt.

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The nations have heard of thy shame, and thy cry hath filled the land—Egypt's humiliation becomes international spectacle. The Hebrew qalon (קָלוֹן, "shame") denotes disgrace, dishonor, and ignominy—the opposite of the glory (kavod, כָּבוֹד) Egypt sought. The phrase tsa'aqatekh (צַעֲקָתֵךְ, "thy cry") refers to the shriek of terror and anguish in defeat, contrasting sharply with verse 8's boastful declarations. What Egypt intended to inflict on others—destruction and covering the earth—has rebounded upon them.

The tragic image follows: for the mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty, and they are fallen both together. The Hebrew kashal (כָּשַׁל, "stumbled") suggests not honorable defeat but clumsy, humiliating collapse. Egypt's elite warriors (gibbor, גִּבּוֹר, "mighty man") trip over each other in panicked retreat, falling together in heaps. This fulfills the biblical principle that those who exalt themselves will be humbled (Luke 14:11). Egypt's cry reverses the exodus narrative—once Egypt cried out under plagues while Israel sang victory songs; now Egypt screams in defeat.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Battle of Carchemish (605 BC) was one of antiquity's decisive battles, ending Egyptian dominance and establishing Babylon as the regional superpower. The Babylonian Chronicles confirm the totality of Egypt's defeat. Nebuchadnezzar pursued retreating Egyptian forces south, slaughtering them in vast numbers. The shame was compounded because Egypt had presented itself as the great hope against Babylon—its defeat demoralized all who trusted Egyptian power rather than God.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Egypt's public shame illustrate the principle that pride goes before a fall?
  2. What does the image of mighty men stumbling over each other reveal about panic when God's judgment comes?
  3. In what ways do our own 'cries' of defeat result from trusting human strength rather than God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
שָׁמְע֤וּ1 of 13

“have heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

גוֹיִם֙2 of 13

“The nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

קְלוֹנֵ֔ךְ3 of 13

“of thy shame”

H7036

disgrace; (by implication) the pudenda

וְצִוְחָתֵ֖ךְ4 of 13

“and thy cry”

H6682

a screech (of anguish)

מָלְאָ֣ה5 of 13

“hath filled”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

הָאָ֑רֶץ6 of 13

“the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כִּֽי7 of 13
H3588

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

בְּגִבּוֹר֙8 of 13

“against the mighty”

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

בְּגִבּוֹר֙9 of 13

“against the mighty”

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

כָּשָׁ֔לוּ10 of 13

“hath stumbled”

H3782

to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall

יַחְדָּ֖יו11 of 13

“together”

H3162

properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

נָפְל֥וּ12 of 13

“and they are fallen”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃13 of 13

“both”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

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 46:12 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 46:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nahum 3:8-10Isaiah 19:2Jeremiah 46:6Jeremiah 14:2Isaiah 15:5-8Zephaniah 1:10

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