Jeremiah Chapter 46 · Verse 18

Authorized King James Version

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As I live, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts, Surely as Tabor is among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he come.

Original Language Analysis

חַי As I live H2416
חַי As I live
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 1 of 13
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
אָ֙נִי֙ H589
אָ֙נִי֙
Strong's: H589
Word #: 2 of 13
i
נְאֻם saith H5002
נְאֻם saith
Strong's: H5002
Word #: 3 of 13
an oracle
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ the King H4428
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ the King
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 4 of 13
a king
יְהוָ֥ה is the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה is the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 5 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֖וֹת of hosts H6635
צְבָא֖וֹת of hosts
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 6 of 13
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
שְׁמ֑וֹ whose name H8034
שְׁמ֑וֹ whose name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 7 of 13
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
כִּ֚י H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 8 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כְּתָב֣וֹר Surely as Tabor H8396
כְּתָב֣וֹר Surely as Tabor
Strong's: H8396
Word #: 9 of 13
tabor, a mountain in palestine, also a city adjacent
בֶּֽהָרִ֔ים is among the mountains H2022
בֶּֽהָרִ֔ים is among the mountains
Strong's: H2022
Word #: 10 of 13
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
וּכְכַרְמֶ֖ל and as Carmel H3760
וּכְכַרְמֶ֖ל and as Carmel
Strong's: H3760
Word #: 11 of 13
karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in palestine
בַּיָּ֥ם by the sea H3220
בַּיָּ֥ם by the sea
Strong's: H3220
Word #: 12 of 13
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
יָבֽוֹא׃ so shall he come H935
יָבֽוֹא׃ so shall he come
Strong's: H935
Word #: 13 of 13
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

Analysis & Commentary

As I live, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts—This divine oath begins with khai-ani (חַי־אָנִי, "as I live"), God's most solemn form of oath, swearing by His own eternal life since there is none greater (Hebrews 6:13). The title ha-melekh (הַמֶּלֶךְ, "the King") contrasts sharply with Pharaoh, the false king who is "but a noise." YHWH Tseva'ot (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת, "LORD of hosts") emphasizes sovereignty over angelic and earthly armies—the true commander of heaven's hosts speaks against earthly pretenders.

The comparison: Surely as Tabor is among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he come. Mount Tabor (תָּבוֹר, 1,843 feet), rising dramatically from the Jezreel Valley, and Mount Carmel (כַּרְמֶל), jutting prominently into the Mediterranean, symbolize unmistakable, towering presence. The conquering king (Nebuchadnezzar as God's instrument) will come as obviously and inevitably as these geographic landmarks dominate their landscapes. No one questions whether Tabor stands among mountains or Carmel by the sea—equally certain is Babylon's coming judgment. The imagery assures prophecy's complete fulfillment, anchored in God's unchangeable oath.

Historical Context

Mount Tabor and Mount Carmel were familiar landmarks to Jeremiah's audience—Tabor stood isolated and majestic, visible for miles; Carmel dominated the coastal plain, both unmistakable in their prominence. This prophecy's fulfillment came in Nebuchadnezzar's Egyptian campaign (568 BC), when Babylon's forces indeed came as inevitably as these mountains stand. The divine oath guaranteed certainty—when God swears by His own life and name, fulfillment is absolute. This served to warn Egypt and comfort Judah: God's word will not fail, whether in judgment or promise.

Questions for Reflection