King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 46:2 Mean?

Jeremiah 46:2 in the King James Version says “Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Neb... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah.

Jeremiah 46:2 · KJV


Context

1

The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles;

2

Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah.

3

Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle.

4

Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the brigandines.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaoh-necho—Chapters 46-51 contain oracles against foreign nations, asserting Yahweh's sovereignty over all kingdoms. Pharaoh-necho (פַּרְעֹה נְכוֹ) was Necho II (610-595 BC), who killed godly King Josiah at Megiddo (2 Kings 23:29) and briefly controlled Judah.

By the river Euphrates in Carchemish (עַל־נְהַר־פְּרָת בְּכַרְכְּמִישׁ)—This locates the decisive Battle of Carchemish (605 BC), where Nebuchadnezzar crushed Egyptian forces, ending Egypt's Neo-Assyrian imperial ambitions. Which Nebuchadrezzar...smote fulfills 25:9's prophecy that Babylon would dominate the ancient Near East. The specific dating—fourth year of Jehoiakim—provides chronological precision: this was the same year Baruch first wrote Jeremiah's prophecies (36:1).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Battle of Carchemish (605 BC) decisively shifted ancient Near Eastern power from Egypt to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar, then crown prince, pursued fleeing Egyptians to Hamath, establishing Babylonian hegemony for the next 70 years. This battle fulfilled Isaiah's prophecies about Egypt's weakness (Isaiah 30-31) and Babylon's dominance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's prophecy about specific battles demonstrate His sovereignty over international affairs?
  2. What does Egypt's defeat teach about trusting human military might over divine protection?
  3. Why does Scripture provide such precise historical details (year, location, rulers) for this judgment oracle?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
מִצְרַ֔יִם1 of 25

Against Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

עַל2 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

חֵ֨יל3 of 25

against the army

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

פַּרְעֹ֤ה4 of 25
H0
נְכוֹ֙5 of 25

of Pharaohnecho

H6549

paroh-nekoh (or paroh-neko), an egyptian king

מֶ֥לֶךְ6 of 25

king

H4428

a king

מִצְרַ֔יִם7 of 25

Against Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

אֲשֶׁר8 of 25
H834

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

הָיָ֥ה9 of 25
H1961

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

עַל10 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

נְהַר11 of 25

which was by the river

H5104

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

פְּרָ֖ת12 of 25

Euphrates

H6578

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

בְּכַרְכְּמִ֑שׁ13 of 25

in Carchemish

H3751

karkemish, a place in syria

אֲשֶׁ֣ר14 of 25
H834

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

הִכָּ֗ה15 of 25

smote

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּר֙16 of 25

which Nebuchadrezzar

H5019

nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon

מֶ֥לֶךְ17 of 25

king

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֔ל18 of 25

of Babylon

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

בִּשְׁנַת֙19 of 25

year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הָֽרְבִיעִ֔ית20 of 25

in the fourth

H7243

fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth

לִיהוֹיָקִ֥ים21 of 25

of Jehoiakim

H3079

jehojakim, a jewish king

בֶּן22 of 25

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יֹאשִׁיָּ֖הוּ23 of 25

of Josiah

H2977

joshijah, the name of two israelites

מֶ֥לֶךְ24 of 25

king

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָֽה׃25 of 25

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory


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 46:2 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 46:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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