Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph and in Tahpanhes: say ye, Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee.
Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph and in Tahpanhes—The command to higgidu (הַגִּידוּ, "declare") and hashmi'u (הַשְׁמִיעוּ, "publish/proclaim") emphasizes public, unavoidable announcement. Jeremiah names specific Egyptian cities: Migdol (מִגְדֹּל, fortress in the eastern Nile delta), Noph (נֹף, Memphis, ancient capital), and Tahpanhes (תַּחְפַּנְחֵס, Greek Daphne, border fortress where Jeremiah himself was later taken, 43:7-9). Geographic specificity proves prophecy's authenticity and ensures no Egyptian region escapes the warning.
The message is ominous: Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee. The imperatives hityatsev (הִתְיַצֵּב, "stand fast/take your position") and hakin (הָכִן, "prepare") command military readiness, yet the reason given—ki akhelah kherev (כִּי אָכְלָה חֶרֶב, "the sword shall devour")—reveals such preparation is futile. The sword, representing Babylon's military might as God's instrument, will consume (akal, אָכַל, eat/devour) everything. Defensive readiness cannot prevent divinely ordained judgment.
Historical Context
These cities represented Egypt's military and political centers. Migdol guarded the northeastern border, Memphis was the ancient capital controlling Middle Egypt, and Tahpanhes (modern Tell Defenneh) was a strategic fortress. Ironically, Jeremiah was forcibly taken to Tahpanhes after Jerusalem's fall (Jeremiah 43), where he prophesied Nebuchadnezzar would set his throne at that very location (43:8-13). Archaeological excavation at Tell Defenneh has uncovered a substantial fortress from this period, confirming the biblical record.
Questions for Reflection
What does the command to publicly declare judgment teach about God's fairness in giving warning?
How does naming specific cities demonstrate the certainty and specificity of biblical prophecy?
When God commands military preparation knowing it will fail, what does this reveal about human attempts to thwart His purposes?
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Analysis & Commentary
Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph and in Tahpanhes—The command to higgidu (הַגִּידוּ, "declare") and hashmi'u (הַשְׁמִיעוּ, "publish/proclaim") emphasizes public, unavoidable announcement. Jeremiah names specific Egyptian cities: Migdol (מִגְדֹּל, fortress in the eastern Nile delta), Noph (נֹף, Memphis, ancient capital), and Tahpanhes (תַּחְפַּנְחֵס, Greek Daphne, border fortress where Jeremiah himself was later taken, 43:7-9). Geographic specificity proves prophecy's authenticity and ensures no Egyptian region escapes the warning.
The message is ominous: Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee. The imperatives hityatsev (הִתְיַצֵּב, "stand fast/take your position") and hakin (הָכִן, "prepare") command military readiness, yet the reason given—ki akhelah kherev (כִּי אָכְלָה חֶרֶב, "the sword shall devour")—reveals such preparation is futile. The sword, representing Babylon's military might as God's instrument, will consume (akal, אָכַל, eat/devour) everything. Defensive readiness cannot prevent divinely ordained judgment.