King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 46:8 Mean?

Jeremiah 46:8 in the King James Version says “Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the e...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 46 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof.”

Jeremiah 46:8 · KJV

Context

6

Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates.

7

Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?

8

Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof.

9

Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow. the Ethiopians: Heb. Cush the Libyans: Heb. Put

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.

Read Jeremiah 46 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers—Jeremiah employs vivid flood imagery using ye'or (יְאֹר), specifically the Nile River whose annual inundations both sustained and threatened Egypt. The verb ga'ah (גָּאָה, "riseth up") conveys pride, arrogance, and overwhelming force—the same word used for the Red Sea's waves in Exodus 15:1. Egypt's boast I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city uses alah (עָלָה, ascend/attack) and kasah (כָּסָה, cover/engulf), echoing the prideful language of imperial conquest.

Yet the oracle ironically foreshadows Egypt's defeat—just as Pharaoh's armies were swallowed by flood waters at the Red Sea, so Egypt's military ambitions would be drowned at Carchemish. The dual imagery of Nile and rivers (neharot, נְהָרוֹת) points to Egypt's confederation with other nations, all rising together in apparent strength. This passage illustrates the prophetic principle that pride precedes destruction (Proverbs 16:18)—Egypt's self-exalting confidence made them ripe for divine judgment through Babylon.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This oracle references Pharaoh Necho II's ambitious northern campaign (609-605 BC), culminating in the catastrophic defeat at Carchemish in 605 BC where Nebuchadnezzar crushed the Egyptian-Assyrian coalition. Egypt's imperial aspirations to control Syria-Palestine and restore its ancient glory were dramatically reversed. The 'city' likely refers to Carchemish or represents Egyptian-controlled cities throughout the Levant that would fall to Babylon.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Egypt's flood imagery contrast with God as the true controller of waters and nations?
  2. What does Egypt's boastful language reveal about the spiritual danger of national or personal pride?
  3. How does this prophecy demonstrate God's sovereignty over empires that seem invincible?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
מִצְרַ֙יִם֙1 of 14

“Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

כַּיְאֹ֣ר2 of 14

“like a flood”

H2975

a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m

אַֽעֲלֶה֙3 of 14

“I will go up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

וְכַנְּהָר֖וֹת4 of 14

“like the rivers”

H5104

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

יִתְגֹּ֣עֲשׁוּ5 of 14

“are moved”

H1607

to agitate violently

מָ֑יִם6 of 14

“and his waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר7 of 14

“and he saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַֽעֲלֶה֙8 of 14

“I will go up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֲכַסֶּה9 of 14

“and will cover”

H3680

properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)

אֶ֔רֶץ10 of 14

“the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֹבִ֥ידָה11 of 14

“I will destroy”

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

עִ֖יר12 of 14

“the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וְיֹ֥שְׁבֵי13 of 14

“and the inhabitants”

H3427

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

בָֽהּ׃14 of 14
H0

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 46:8 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 46:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 32:2Exodus 15:9-10Isaiah 37:24-26Ezekiel 29:3Isaiah 10:13-16

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
NileRiver · Modern: Nile River · 31.47°N, 30.37°E45 verses across 9 books
View all places in Jeremiah 46 →

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