Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Gentiles, to whom Jeremias was sent. Calmet. 1:5. What follows regards them, ( Calmet.) if we except the last chapter. Bible.—It was thought proper to place these predictions here, though out of their chronological order, to which the Septuagint have more adhered, placing them after Calmet. 25. Calmet.—The punishment of the chief enemies of the Jews is foretold. Worthington.
Verse 2. Nechao. He slew Josias, and took all as far as Charcamis. 4 Kennicott. 23. Four years after Nabopolasser associated his son, and sent him to conquer these countries, which he effected. 4 Kennicott. 24:7. Jos.
Verse 3. Prepare Egyptians, the enemy is at hand. Calmet.
Verse 5. Seen. The prophets usually speak as if things were already past. Worthington.
Verse 6. Away. It will be in vain. Calmet.—Nechao went to defend Charcamis, but lost “many myriads in the battle,” and all the country “as far as Pelusium, except Judea.” Joseph. x. 7.
Verse 7. Rivers. He alludes to the Nile. The king of Egypt had a numerous army.
Verse 8. City; Babylon, and every fort which shall oppose my progress. Calmet.
Verse 9. Men. Soldiers formed one of the principal classes among the Egyptians. Herod. ii. 164.—Ethiopians. Hebrew “Cush,” in Lower Egypt, on the Red Sea.—Lybians. Hebrew “Phut, another son of Cham, inhabiting the Nome Phtenethu.” Ezekiel 30:5. Nahum 3:2.—Lydians. Their situation is not known.
Verse 10. Devour. It seems animated, and eager to slay the victim. Ezekiel 39:17.
Verse 11. Of Egypt; or ye Egyptians, who have been wounded. The balm ( Bible.) or resina of Galaad was then very famous. Genesis 37:25. Calmet.—Egypt thought itself invulnerable, and is derided. Its cures was hopeless. verse 16. Worthington.
Verse 13. Egypt, under Apries, about thirty-five years after the former expedition. Calmet. 44:30. Ezekiel 29 and 31. This country was invaded the last. verse 14.
Verse 15. Men. Lit. “man.” Hebrew abir, ( Bible.) where Apis has been perhaps formed. Calmet.—Septuagint “Why has Apis (Comp. omits this word) fled from thee? thy calf, thy chosen one has not remained.” Bible.—He derides the chief idol of Egypt; or he alludes to those who fell at Charcamis, or rather who fled after they had come out to assist Sedecias. Calmet. 37:5. Ezekiel 30:21.
Verse 16. Dove. Hebrew also, “of the destroyer.” Septuagint “Greeks,” or Ionians. Calmet.—See Calmet. 25:35. Challoner.—Nebuchodonosor came with expedition, or had a dove on his standards. Menochius.
Verse 17. Pharao. Septuagint add, “Nechao.” But Apries seems rather to be meant. Calmet.—A. Hebrew shaon hehebir hamohed. Prot. “is but a noise, he hath passed the time appointed;” ( Bible.) or, “the height which the crowd (or God, who raised) hath displaced.” Calmet.—Septuagint retain the original: but the middle word varies in their copies. Bible.—All the boasts of Pharao ended in smoke. He lost the proper opportunity, and caused his own kingdom to be laid waste. Syr. “the disturber, who deranges the times.” Calmet.
Verse 18. He, the destroyer; (verse 16) or “it,” my word ( Bible.) shall surely stand as long as the mountains, ( Calmet.) yea, longer than heaven and earth. Bible.—My decrees shall be put in execution in spite of the efforts of man. Calmet.
Verse 19. Furnish. Lit. “make thyself vessels of captivity,” or pack up what thou mayst want there. Bible. Ezekiel 12:3 and 29:11.—Many returned under Cyrus. verse 26.
Verse 20. Goad her. Nabuchodonosor shall subdue the country.
Verse 21. Hirelings. Apries had thirty thousand Carians, and so forth who were defeated by Amasis. Herod. ii. 163.
Verse 22. Brass. Septuagint “hissing serpent;” lamenting in secret. Isaiah 29:4.—Wood. Battle-axes were then used. Great cities and monarchs shall fall. Zechariah 11:2. Ezekiel 31:3. Calmet.
Verse 23. Above, or “more than locusts,” ( Bible.) which destroy all herbs where they light.
Verse 25. Visit upon. That is, punish.—Alexandria. In the Hebrew No; which was the ancient name of the city, to which Alexander gave afterwards the name of Alexandria; ( Challoner.) or this city was built near Rachotes, the harbour. “Ammon of No” was rather Diospolis, (Ezekiel 30:14. Sept.) in the Delta, north of Busiris. Ammon was the chief god adored at No. Nahum 3:8. Septuagint Alex. “I will revenge myself on Ammon, her son, on Egypt, or Pharao, and on them.” Bible.—Ammon was of their invention, and for this the people were justly punished. It means also, “a multitude.”—Kings. Calmet. 42:12. Apries was slain, (Calmet. 44:23. Calmet.) and his two successors perished miserably by sentence of Cambyses. Herod. iii. 14. and 16.
Verse 26. Afterwards, forty years being expired (Ezekiel 29:14) from the time when Apries made his unsuccessful attack on Cyrene, and his subjects revolted.
Verse 27. Off from all countries, ( Calmet.) particularly from Egypt; ( Bible.) on occasion of which country’s deliverance, that of Jacob is foretold. Calmet.—If God would bring the Egyptians back, much more would he deliver the Jews. Worthington.
Verse 28. Nations of Assyria, Chaldea, and so forth Calmet. 30:11. Calmet.
When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name (Hebrew “יהוה”, usually pronounced Yahweh).