Jeremiah 46:2
Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaoh-necho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah.
Original Language Analysis
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
חֵ֨יל
against the army
H2428
חֵ֨יל
against the army
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
3 of 25
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
נְכוֹ֙
of Pharaohnecho
H6549
נְכוֹ֙
of Pharaohnecho
Strong's:
H6549
Word #:
5 of 25
paroh-nekoh (or paroh-neko), an egyptian king
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָיָ֥ה
H1961
הָיָ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
9 of 25
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
נְהַר
which was by the river
H5104
נְהַר
which was by the river
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
11 of 25
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִכָּ֗ה
smote
H5221
הִכָּ֗ה
smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
15 of 25
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּר֙
which Nebuchadrezzar
H5019
נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּר֙
which Nebuchadrezzar
Strong's:
H5019
Word #:
16 of 25
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
18 of 25
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
22 of 25
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Cross References
2 Kings 23:29In his days Pharaoh-nechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.Isaiah 10:9Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus?Jeremiah 25:19Pharaoh king of Egypt, and his servants, and his princes, and all his people;Jeremiah 45:1The word that Jeremiah the prophet spake unto Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these words in a book at the mouth of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying,Jeremiah 46:14Declare 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.Jeremiah 36:1And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,Jeremiah 25:1The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;
Historical Context
The Battle of Carchemish (605 BC) decisively shifted ancient Near Eastern power from Egypt to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar, then crown prince, pursued fleeing Egyptians to Hamath, establishing Babylonian hegemony for the next 70 years. This battle fulfilled Isaiah's prophecies about Egypt's weakness (Isaiah 30-31) and Babylon's dominance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's prophecy about specific battles demonstrate His sovereignty over international affairs?
- What does Egypt's defeat teach about trusting human military might over divine protection?
- Why does Scripture provide such precise historical details (year, location, rulers) for this judgment oracle?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaoh-necho—Chapters 46-51 contain oracles against foreign nations, asserting Yahweh's sovereignty over all kingdoms. Pharaoh-necho (פַּרְעֹה נְכוֹ) was Necho II (610-595 BC), who killed godly King Josiah at Megiddo (2 Kings 23:29) and briefly controlled Judah.
By the river Euphrates in Carchemish (עַל־נְהַר־פְּרָת בְּכַרְכְּמִישׁ)—This locates the decisive Battle of Carchemish (605 BC), where Nebuchadnezzar crushed Egyptian forces, ending Egypt's Neo-Assyrian imperial ambitions. Which Nebuchadrezzar...smote fulfills 25:9's prophecy that Babylon would dominate the ancient Near East. The specific dating—fourth year of Jehoiakim—provides chronological precision: this was the same year Baruch first wrote Jeremiah's prophecies (36:1).