Jeremiah 43:12
And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace.
Original Language Analysis
וְהִצַּ֣תִּי
And I will kindle
H3341
וְהִצַּ֣תִּי
And I will kindle
Strong's:
H3341
Word #:
1 of 19
to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate
בְּבָתֵּי֙
in the houses
H1004
בְּבָתֵּי֙
in the houses
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
3 of 19
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
of the gods
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
of the gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 19
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְשָׁבָ֑ם
them and carry them away captives
H7617
וְשָׁבָ֑ם
them and carry them away captives
Strong's:
H7617
Word #:
7 of 19
to transport into captivity
יַעְטֶ֤ה
and he shall array
H5844
יַעְטֶ֤ה
and he shall array
Strong's:
H5844
Word #:
8 of 19
to wrap, i.e., cover, veil, clothe, or roll
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
אֶ֨רֶץ
himself with the land
H776
אֶ֨רֶץ
himself with the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
10 of 19
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
כַּאֲשֶׁר
H834
כַּאֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יַעְטֶ֤ה
and he shall array
H5844
יַעְטֶ֤ה
and he shall array
Strong's:
H5844
Word #:
13 of 19
to wrap, i.e., cover, veil, clothe, or roll
הָֽרֹעֶה֙
as a shepherd
H7462
הָֽרֹעֶה֙
as a shepherd
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
14 of 19
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְיָצָ֥א
and he shall go forth
H3318
וְיָצָ֥א
and he shall go forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
17 of 19
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
Cross References
Ezekiel 30:13Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause their images to cease out of Noph; and there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt: and I will put a fear in the land of Egypt.Isaiah 49:18Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.Isaiah 19:1The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.Jeremiah 48:7For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together.Jeremiah 46:25The 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:Psalms 104:2Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:Job 40:10Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.Exodus 12:12For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.2 Samuel 5:21And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.Esther 6:9And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
Historical Context
Egyptian religion centered on temple complexes at Thebes, Memphis, Heliopolis. Babylonian desecration of these shrines would shatter Egyptian confidence in their gods' protective power. Herodotus (Histories 2.161-169) records turmoil in Egypt during this period. The phrase 'carry away captive' refers to exiling deity statues, standard ancient practice declaring victor's god superior to vanquished god.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's use of pagan empires (Babylon) to judge other pagan empires (Egypt) demonstrate His universal sovereignty?
- What does the shepherd metaphor teach about how easily God can 'clothe' His agents with victory over seemingly powerful opponents?
- Why does Scripture emphasize that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw 'in peace'—what would this signal to observers?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt (וְהִצַּתִּי אֵשׁ בְּבָתֵּי אֱלֹהֵי מִצְרָיִם)—God takes credit for Babylon's action ('I will kindle'), asserting sovereignty over pagan empire's military campaigns. Egyptian temples, centers of political and economic power, will burn. He shall burn them, and carry them away captives—Nebuchadnezzar becomes God's instrument (cf. 25:9, 27:6, 'My servant'), burning shrines and looting divine statues, the ultimate humiliation in ancient Near Eastern warfare.
And he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment (וְעָטָה אֶת־אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם כַּאֲשֶׁר יַעְטֶה הָרֹעֶה אֶת־בִּגְדוֹ)—vivid metaphor: Egypt's wealth wraps around Nebuchadnezzar like a shepherd casually donning his cloak. 'Atah (עָטָה, wrap/clothe) suggests effortless acquisition. And he shall go forth from thence in peace (וְיָצָא מִשָּׁם בְּשָׁלוֹם)—successful withdrawal, unscathed, mission accomplished. Pharaoh's impotence contrasts God's omnipotence.