King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 46:14 Mean?

Jeremiah 46:14 in the King James Version says “Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph and in Tahpanhes: say ye, Stand fast, and prepare thee; ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 46:14 · KJV

Context

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.

15

Why are thy 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. made: Heb. multiplied the faller

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph and in Tahpanhes—The command to higgidu (הַגִּידוּ, "declare") and hashmi'u (הַשְׁמִיעוּ, "publish/proclaim") emphasizes public, unavoidable announcement. Jeremiah names specific Egyptian cities: Migdol (מִגְדֹּל, fortress in the eastern Nile delta), Noph (נֹף, Memphis, ancient capital), and Tahpanhes (תַּחְפַּנְחֵס, Greek Daphne, border fortress where Jeremiah himself was later taken, 43:7-9). Geographic specificity proves prophecy's authenticity and ensures no Egyptian region escapes the warning.

The message is ominous: Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee. The imperatives hityatsev (הִתְיַצֵּב, "stand fast/take your position") and hakin (הָכִן, "prepare") command military readiness, yet the reason given—ki akhelah kherev (כִּי אָכְלָה חֶרֶב, "the sword shall devour")—reveals such preparation is futile. The sword, representing Babylon's military might as God's instrument, will consume (akal, אָכַל, eat/devour) everything. Defensive readiness cannot prevent divinely ordained judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

These cities represented Egypt's military and political centers. Migdol guarded the northeastern border, Memphis was the ancient capital controlling Middle Egypt, and Tahpanhes (modern Tell Defenneh) was a strategic fortress. Ironically, Jeremiah was forcibly taken to Tahpanhes after Jerusalem's fall (Jeremiah 43), where he prophesied Nebuchadnezzar would set his throne at that very location (43:8-13). Archaeological excavation at Tell Defenneh has uncovered a substantial fortress from this period, confirming the biblical record.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the command to publicly declare judgment teach about God's fairness in giving warning?
  2. How does naming specific cities demonstrate the certainty and specificity of biblical prophecy?
  3. When God commands military preparation knowing it will fail, what does this reveal about human attempts to thwart His purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
הַגִּ֤ידוּ1 of 15

“Declare”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

בְמִצְרַ֙יִם֙2 of 15

“ye in Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְהַשְׁמִ֥יעוּ3 of 15

“and publish”

H8085

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

בְמִגְדּ֔וֹל4 of 15

“in Migdol”

H4024

migdol, a place in egypt

וְהַשְׁמִ֥יעוּ5 of 15

“and publish”

H8085

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

בְנֹ֖ף6 of 15

“in Noph”

H5297

noph, the capital of upper egypt

וּבְתַחְפַּנְחֵ֑ס7 of 15

“and in Tahpanhes”

H8471

tachpanches, techaphneches or tachpenes, a place in egypt

אִמְר֗וּ8 of 15

“say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִתְיַצֵּב֙9 of 15

“ye Stand fast”

H3320

to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue

וְהָכֵ֣ן10 of 15

“and prepare”

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

לָ֔ךְ11 of 15
H0
כִּֽי12 of 15
H3588

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

אָכְלָ֥ה13 of 15

“shall devour”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

חֶ֖רֶב14 of 15

“thee for the sword”

H2719

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

סְבִיבֶֽיךָ׃15 of 15

“round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

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 46:14 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 46:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 44:1Jeremiah 46:10Isaiah 1:20Jeremiah 2:30Nahum 2:13Jeremiah 43:8-9

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
MemphisSettlement · Modern: Memphis · 29.85°N, 31.25°E8 verses across 4 books
Migdol 2Settlement · Modern: Tell el Herr · 30.96°N, 32.49°E2 verses across 1 book
TahpanhesSettlement · Modern: Tell Defenneh · 30.86°N, 32.17°E7 verses across 2 books
View all places in Jeremiah 46 →

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