King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 46:26 Mean?

Jeremiah 46:26 in the King James Version says “And I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylo...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants: and afterward it shall be inhabited, as in the days of old, saith the LORD.”

Jeremiah 46:26 · KJV

Context

24

The daughter of Egypt shall be confounded; she shall be delivered into the hand of the people of the north.

25

The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings; even Pharaoh, and all them that trust in him: multitude: or, nourisher: Heb. Amon

26

And I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants: and afterward it shall be inhabited, as in the days of old, saith the LORD.

27

But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.

28

Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished. not leave: or, not utterly cut thee off

Read Jeremiah 46 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon (וּנְתַתִּים בְּיַד מְבַקְשֵׁי נַפְשָׁם וּבְיַד נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר מֶלֶךְ־בָּבֶל)—The Hebrew mevaqqeshey nafsham (seekers of their life/soul) intensifies the threat beyond mere conquest to annihilation. Yet astonishingly, and afterward it shall be inhabited, as in the days of old, saith the LORD (וְאַחֲרֵי־כֵן תִּשְׁכֹּן כִּימֵי־קֶדֶם)—tishkon kimey qedem promises restoration.

This gracious conclusion mirrors God's treatment of Moab and Ammon (48:47, 49:6). Even pagan nations receive post-judgment mercy, demonstrating that God's wrath serves remedial, not merely punitive, purposes. Egypt did indeed recover, later becoming home to a significant Jewish diaspora (including Jeremiah himself) and early Christianity's intellectual center in Alexandria.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Nebuchadnezzar (Nebuchadrezzar in Hebrew) invaded Egypt in 568 BC. Egypt subsequently recovered, though never regaining its ancient glory. The Persian conquest (525 BC) followed, then Hellenistic rule. Alexandria became a major center of Jewish scholarship (producing the Septuagint) and early Christian theology.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise of restoration after judgment reveal His ultimate purposes?
  2. What does Egypt's recovery teach about God's mercy extending even to pagan nations?
  3. How should the certainty of both judgment and restoration shape our understanding of divine justice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וּנְתַתִּ֗ים1 of 17

“And I will deliver”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

וּבְיַד2 of 17

“and into the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מְבַקְשֵׁ֣י3 of 17

“of those that seek”

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

נַפְשָׁ֔ם4 of 17

“their lives”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

וּבְיַד5 of 17

“and into the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר6 of 17

“of Nebuchadrezzar”

H5019

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

מֶֽלֶךְ7 of 17

“king”

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֖ל8 of 17

“of Babylon”

H894

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

וּבְיַד9 of 17

“and into the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עֲבָדָ֑יו10 of 17

“of his servants”

H5650

a servant

וְאַחֲרֵי11 of 17

“and afterward”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

כֵ֛ן12 of 17
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

תִּשְׁכֹּ֥ן13 of 17

“it shall be inhabited”

H7931

to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)

כִּֽימֵי14 of 17

“as in the days”

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

קֶ֖דֶם15 of 17

“of old”

H6924

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

נְאֻם16 of 17

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָֽה׃17 of 17

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 46:26 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 46:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 44:30Ezekiel 32:11Ezekiel 29:8-14Jeremiah 48:47Jeremiah 49:39

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Jeremiah 46 →

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