What does Jeremias Chapter 46 say, and which statements belong to its speaker?

Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary

The dated Egyptian defeat precedes flood and vengeance images. An invasion oracle retains the edition’s words and qualifications. Promised later habitation and Jacob’s correction conclude the chapter.

Chapter breakdown

Jeremias 46 opens words against the nations. Egypt’s army under Pharao Nechao at Euphrates in Charcamis was defeated by Nabuchodonosor in Joakim’s fourth year. Shield, buckler, horses, helmets, spears and mail accompany a muster that turns to fear, flight and fallen valiant men. Egypt rises like a flood and boasts of covering earth and destroying city and inhabitants. Ethiopian, Libyan and Lydian forces appear, followed by the Lord’s day of vengeance and sacrifice. Galaaad’s balm and many medicines bring no cure in this prophetic image; nations hear shame as strong men stumble upon one another.

A second oracle announces Nabuchodonosor coming against Egypt, with proclamation in Magdal, Memphis and Taphnis. Fallen warriors speak of returning to their own people from the sword of the dove; the edition discusses a possible standard, which must not become certified fact. Pharao is called a tumult whom time has brought. Thabor and Carmel comparisons precede captivity and Memphis’s desolation. Egypt is a fair heifer with a northern goader, hired men like fatted calves fleeing, and a voice sounding like brass. Wood-hewers and innumerable locust comparison portray invasion and shame.

The Lord announces visitation on Alexandria’s tumult, gods, kings, Pharao and those trusting him, delivery to Nabuchodonosor and servants, and later habitation as of old. The edition separately comments on Alexandria’s naming; Thebes is not substituted. Jacob receives promised return, rest and no fear: nations are consumed but Jacob is corrected in judgment, not spared as innocent. Nile identity, serpent hissing, a gadfly, a missed opportunity, precise later eras and universal imperial purification are not added.

The story inside

Opening: The dated Egyptian defeat precedes flood and vengeance images. Development: An invasion oracle retains the edition’s words and qualifications. Conclusion: Promised later habitation and Jacob’s correction conclude the chapter.

Lessons worth keeping

1
The dated Egyptian defeat precedes flood and vengeance images.
2
An invasion oracle retains the edition’s words and qualifications.
3
Promised later habitation and Jacob’s correction conclude the chapter.

Test your recall

Which images and requests does the speaker use, and what does the chapter leave unresolved?

Source edition and notes

Douay–Rheims, revised by Richard Challoner (1749–1752). Project Gutenberg no. 1581. Locators refer to lines in the admitted pg1581.txt edition. Source notes may include Challoner commentary.

Lines 88784–88787
46:2. Against Egypt, against the army of Pharao Nechao king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Charcamis, whom Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon defeated, in the fourth year of Joakim the son of Josias king of Juda.
Lines 88885–88893
46:27. And thou my servant Jacob, fear not and be not thou dismayed, O Israel: for behold I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed out of the land of thy captivity: and Jacob shall return and be at rest, and prosper: and there shall be none to terrify him. 46:28. And thou, my servant Jacob, fear not, saith the Lord: because I am with thee, for I will consume all the nations to which I have cast thee out: but thee I will not consume, but I will correct thee in judgment, neither will I spare thee as if thou wert innocent.