Jeremiah43
King James Version · Public Domain
1And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of the Lord their God, for which the Lord their God had sent him to them, even all these words,
2Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the Lord our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there:
3But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, for to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they might put us to death, and carry us away captives into Babylon.
4So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the Lord, to dwell in the land of Judah.
5But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that were returned from all nations, whither they had been driven, to dwell in the land of Judah;
6Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzar–adan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah.
7So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the Lord: thus came they even to Tahpanhes.
8Then came the word of the Lord unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,
9Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln, which is at the entry of Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah;
10And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.
11And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, and deliver such as are for death to death; and such as are for captivity to captivity; and such as are for the sword to the sword.
12And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace.
13He shall break also the images of Beth–shemesh, that is in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians shall he burn with fire.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Jeremiah 43.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The leaders carry the people to Egypt. (1-7). Jeremiah foretells the conquest of Egypt. (8-13).
vv1-7
Only by pride comes contention, both with God and man. They preferred their own wisdom to the revealed will of God. Men deny the Scriptures to be the word of God, because they are resolved not to conform themselves to Scripture rules. When men will persist in sin, they charge the best actions to bad motives. These Jews deserted their own land, and threw themselves out of God's protection. It is the folly of men, that they often ruin themselves by wrong endeavours to mend their situation.
vv8-13
God can find his people wherever they are. The Spirit of prophecy was not confined to the land of Israel. It is foretold that Nebuchadnezzar should destroy and carry into captivity many of the Egyptians. Thus God makes one wicked man, or wicked nation, a scourge and plague to another. He will punish those who deceive his professing people, or tempt them to rebellion.
Key Words
יִרְמְיָה: Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites
כָּלָה: to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete, prepare, consume)
דָבַר: perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עַם: a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֵלֶּה: these or those
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֱלֹהִים: 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 deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
שָׁלַח: to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
Cross References
Jeremiah 43Ezekiel explicitly prophesies Nebuchadnezzar being given Egypt as wages for his service to God.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Repeats exact tripartite formula of judgment: 'such as are for death to death; and such for captivity...'
Supported by JFB
Direct parallel for the vivid dressing metaphor where conqueror arrays himself with a land.
Supported by JFB
Traces the previous capture of 'the king's daughters' under Ishmael, now forced into Egypt.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct violation of their earlier hypocritical vow not to enter Egypt to find safety.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Highlights the specific designation of Nebuchadnezzar as Yahweh's 'servant' to execute divine judgment.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Identifies the 'remnant of Judah' that had gathered from all nations, now fleeing to Egypt.
Supported by JFB
Mentions Tahpanhes earlier in Jeremiah as a source of Israel's spiritual degradation and shame.
Supported by JFB
Parallels Jeremiah's previous physical sign acts of hiding an object (linen girdle) under rocks.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Establishes Baruch's prominent role as Jeremiah's scribe, drawing the leaders' intense suspicion.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Provides historical background on the Egyptian queen Tahpenes, linked to the city's naming.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Typological echo of God executing judgment directly upon the helpless false gods of Egypt.
Supported by JFB
Ezekiel parallels Jeremiah's prophecy of the destruction of Egyptian idols and images.
Supported by JFB
Connects the brickkiln sign at Pharaoh's house to the eventual fall of Pharaoh-hophra.
Supported by JFB