King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 46:19 Mean?

Jeremiah 46:19 in the King James Version says “O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity : for Noph shall be waste and desolate without a...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity : for Noph shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitant. furnish: Heb. make thee instruments of captivity”

Jeremiah 46:19 · KJV

Context

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, furnish thyself to go into captivity : for Noph shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitant. furnish: Heb. make thee instruments of captivity

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. fatted: Heb. bullocks of the stall

Read Jeremiah 46 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity (הֵיכִינִי לָךְ כְּלֵי גוֹלָה)—The imperative heikiniy commands Egypt's inhabitants to prepare keliy golah (vessels of exile), the baggage of deportation. Noph (נֹף), Hebrew for Memphis, Egypt's ancient capital and religious center, would become waste and desolate (חָרְבָּה תִּהְיֶה).

This verse dramatizes the reversal of Exodus: God's people once fled Egypt for freedom; now Egypt itself faces exile. The phrase bat yoshevet (daughter dwelling) personifies Egypt as a woman secure in her home, unprepared for the displacement about to shatter her world. Nebuchadnezzar's 568 BC invasion fulfilled this prophecy when he devastated Egypt's cities.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Memphis (Noph) was Egypt's political and religious capital, home to the temple of Ptah and burial site of the sacred Apis bull. Jeremiah prophesied during Babylon's rise (626-586 BC), when Egypt under Pharaoh Hophra challenged Babylonian dominance, ultimately facing invasion by Nebuchadnezzar in 568 BC.

Reflection Questions

  1. What false securities in your life might God be calling you to prepare to lose?
  2. How does Egypt's judgment demonstrate that no nation—however ancient or powerful—stands beyond God's sovereignty?
  3. What does the reversal of Exodus imagery teach about God using the same means for both salvation and judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
כְּלֵ֤י1 of 14

“thyself to go into captivity”

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

גוֹלָה֙2 of 14
H1473

exile; concretely and collectively exiles

עֲשִׂ֣י3 of 14

“furnish”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָ֔ךְ4 of 14
H0
יוֹשֵֽׁב׃5 of 14

“dwelling”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בַּת6 of 14

“O thou daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

מִצְרָ֑יִם7 of 14

“in Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

כִּֽי8 of 14
H3588

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

נֹף֙9 of 14

“for Noph”

H5297

noph, the capital of upper egypt

לְשַׁמָּ֣ה10 of 14

“shall be waste”

H8047

ruin; by implication, consternation

תִֽהְיֶ֔ה11 of 14
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

וְנִצְּתָ֖ה12 of 14

“and desolate”

H3341

to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate

מֵאֵ֥ין13 of 14
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

יוֹשֵֽׁב׃14 of 14

“dwelling”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

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 46:19 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 46:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 20:4Jeremiah 48:18Jeremiah 44:1Ezekiel 30:13Jeremiah 34:22Jeremiah 51:29-30

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
View all places in Jeremiah 46 →

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