Jeremiah Chapter 46 · Verse 14

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

הַגִּ֤ידוּ Declare H5046
הַגִּ֤ידוּ Declare
Strong's: H5046
Word #: 1 of 15
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
בְמִצְרַ֙יִם֙ ye in Egypt H4714
בְמִצְרַ֙יִם֙ ye in Egypt
Strong's: H4714
Word #: 2 of 15
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
וְהַשְׁמִ֥יעוּ and publish H8085
וְהַשְׁמִ֥יעוּ and publish
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 3 of 15
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
בְמִגְדּ֔וֹל in Migdol H4024
בְמִגְדּ֔וֹל in Migdol
Strong's: H4024
Word #: 4 of 15
migdol, a place in egypt
וְהַשְׁמִ֥יעוּ and publish H8085
וְהַשְׁמִ֥יעוּ and publish
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 5 of 15
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
בְנֹ֖ף in Noph H5297
בְנֹ֖ף in Noph
Strong's: H5297
Word #: 6 of 15
noph, the capital of upper egypt
וּבְתַחְפַּנְחֵ֑ס and in Tahpanhes H8471
וּבְתַחְפַּנְחֵ֑ס and in Tahpanhes
Strong's: H8471
Word #: 7 of 15
tachpanches, techaphneches or tachpenes, a place in egypt
אִמְר֗וּ say H559
אִמְר֗וּ say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 8 of 15
to say (used with great latitude)
הִתְיַצֵּב֙ ye Stand fast H3320
הִתְיַצֵּב֙ ye Stand fast
Strong's: H3320
Word #: 9 of 15
to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue
וְהָכֵ֣ן and prepare H3559
וְהָכֵ֣ן and prepare
Strong's: H3559
Word #: 10 of 15
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
לָ֔ךְ H0
לָ֔ךְ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 11 of 15
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 12 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אָכְלָ֥ה shall devour H398
אָכְלָ֥ה shall devour
Strong's: H398
Word #: 13 of 15
to eat (literally or figuratively)
חֶ֖רֶב thee for the sword H2719
חֶ֖רֶב thee for the sword
Strong's: H2719
Word #: 14 of 15
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
סְבִיבֶֽיךָ׃ round about H5439
סְבִיבֶֽיךָ׃ round about
Strong's: H5439
Word #: 15 of 15
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

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.

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