Jeremiah 46:25
The 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:
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֨ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֨ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֜וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֜וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
3 of 23
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אֱלֹהֶ֖יהָ
the God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יהָ
the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 23
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
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
פוֹקֵד֙
Behold I will punish
H6485
פוֹקֵד֙
Behold I will punish
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
7 of 23
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֱלֹהֶ֖יהָ
the God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יהָ
the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
16 of 23
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
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
17 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְעַ֨ל
H5921
וְעַ֨ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
19 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְעַ֥ל
H5921
וְעַ֥ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
21 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
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.Zephaniah 2:11The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.
Historical Context
No (Thebes) was Egypt's southern capital and primary worship center for Amon-Re, king of Egypt's gods. The city's destruction by Assyria in 663 BC (mentioned in Nahum 3:8-10) preceded Jeremiah's prophecy, yet it had partially recovered. Multiple pharaohs ruled during this period, creating political instability.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God specifically target Egypt's gods alongside its political leaders?
- How does trusting in political alliances become a form of idolatry?
- What modern equivalents of "trusting in Pharaoh" tempt believers to rely on worldly power rather than God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אָמַר הִנְנִי פוֹקֵד אֶל־אֲמוֹן מִנֹּא)—YHWH Tsevaot (LORD of armies) emphasizes divine military supremacy. Amon mi-No refers to the god Amon-Re worshiped at No (Thebes), Egypt's religious capital. The verb foqed (punish/visit) is the same root as pequddah (visitation) in v.21, denoting divine reckoning.
And Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings—the comprehensive list targets every level of Egyptian society and spirituality. The phrase all them that trust in him (הַבֹּטְחִים בּוֹ) indicts both Egyptians and Judahites who relied on Egyptian alliance (cf. Isaiah 30:1-7, 31:1-3) rather than Yahweh.