Jeremiah 46:12

46:1-12 The whole word of God is against those who obey not the gospel of Christ; but it is for those, even of the Gentiles, who turn to Him. The prophecy begins with Egypt. Let them strengthen themselves with all the art and interest they have, yet it shall be all in vain. The wounds God inflicts on his enemies, cannot be healed by medicines. Power and prosperity soon pass from one to another in this changing world.

The nations have heard of thy shame,.... Their shameful defeat and overthrow by the Chaldean army; so, after the manner of prophecy, the thing is related as done; the battle fought, and the victory obtained; and the rumour and fame of it spread among the nations, to the great mortification of this proud people: and thy cry hath filled the land; the shrieks of the wounded; the cry of the pursued and taken; the lamentation of friends and relations for their dead; with one thing or another of this kind the whole land of Egypt was filled; yea, all the countries round about them, in confederacy with them, were filled with distress for the loss of their own; the calamity was large and spreading, and the rumour of it: for the mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty, and they are fallen both together; either the mighty Egyptians against the mighty Chaldeans; and though the latter were the conquerors, yet lost abundance of men; so that there were mighty ones fell on both sides: or rather, as Jarchi, Kimchi, and Abarbinel, the mighty Egyptians in their flight fell, and other mighty ones of them following, stumbled at them, and fell upon them, and so both became a prey to the pursuers; or in their flight the mighty Egyptians stumbled against their mighty auxiliaries before mentioned, Jeremiah 46:9; and so both came into the hands of their enemies. The Targum is, both were slain.

The prophet keepeth to his old prophetic style, speaking of things that were to come to pass some years after as if they were already past, because of the certainty of them; in this sense he saith other nations had seen, because they should see, the shame and confusion of the Egyptians upon their overthrow, and the cry of their slain and wounded men would fill other lands. For the Egyptians should certainly be overthrown, either by the Chaldeans stumbling upon the Babylonians, or the Babylonians on them, or they (fleeing) for haste stumbling one upon another, so as both those that went before, and those who followed after, should both fall together.

The blow which shall there come on the Egyptians is one from which they shall never recover, and the wound shall be one not to be healed by any balm. As to the balm of Gilead, see on Jeremiah 8:22 ; on רפאות and תּעלה, see Jeremiah 30:13 . "Virgin daughter of Egypt" is equivalent to virgin-like people of Egypt, i.e., not hitherto forced, but now ravished, violated, so that all nations shall hear of the dishonour done them, and their cry shall fill the whole earth, for (as at the conclusion, the threat is added by way of confirmation) all the heroes of Egypt stumble and fall. גּבּור בּגבּור, "hero against hero," i.e., one against another, or over the others, as usually happens in a flight where confusion reigns; cf. Jeremiah 26:37 .

If Jeremiah had not uttered his denunciatory predictions, they would not have plotted against him. None were more bitter than his own fellow townsmen. Compare the conduct of the Nazarites towards Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 4:24-29). 22. The retribution of their intended murder shall be in kind; just as in Messiah's case (Psalms 69:8-28). 23. (Jeremiah 23:12). the year of … visitation —The Septuagint translates, " in the year of their," &c., that is, at the time when I shall visit them in wrath. J EROME supports English Version. "Year" often means a determined time. ## CHAPTER 12 Jeremiah 12:1-17. C ONTINUATION OF THE S UBJECT AT THE C LOSE OF THE E LEVENTH C HAPTER. He ventures to expostulate with Jehovah as to the prosperity of the wicked, who had plotted against his life (Jeremiah 12:1-4); in reply he is told that he will have worse to endure, and that from his own relatives (Jeremiah 12:5, 6). The heaviest judgments, however, would be inflicted on the faithless people (Jeremiah 12:7-13); and then on the nations co-operating with the Chaldeans against Judah, with, however, a promise of mercy on repentance (Jeremiah 12:14-17). 1. (Psalms 51:4). let me talk, &c.—only let me reason the case with Thee: inquire of Thee the causes why such wicked men as these plotters against my life prosper (compare Job 12:6; 21:7; Psalms 37:1, 35; 73:3; Malachi 3:15).

It is right, when hard thoughts of God's providence suggest themselves, to fortify our minds by justifying God beforehand (as did Jeremiah), even before we hear the reasons of His dealings. 2. grow —literally, "go on," "progress." Thou givest them sure dwellings and increasing prosperity. near in … mouth … far from … reins —(Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8). Hypocrites. 3. knowest me —(Psalms 139:1). tried … heart —(Jeremiah 11:20). toward thee —rather, "with Thee," that is, entirely devoted to Thee; contrasted with the hypocrites (Jeremiah 12:2), "near in … mouth, and far from … reins." This being so, how is it that I fare so ill, they so well? pull … out —containing the metaphor, from a "rooted tree" (Jeremiah 12:2). ## prepare —literally, "separate," or "set apart as devoted." day of slaughter —(James 5:5). 4. land mourn —personification (Jeremiah 14:2; 23:10). for the wickedness —(Psalms 107:34). beasts —(Hosea 4:3). He shall not see our last end — Jehovah knows not what is about to happen to us (Jeremiah 5:12) [R OSENMULLER ]. So the Septuagint. (Psalms 10:11; Ezekiel 8:12; 9:9). Rather, " The prophet (Jeremiah, to whom the whole context refers) shall not see our last end." We need not trouble ourselves about his boding predictions. We shall not be destroyed as he says (Jeremiah 5:12, 13). 5. Jehovah's reply to Jeremiah's complaint. horses —that is, horsemen: the argument a fortiori. A proverbial phrase.