Jeremiah 2:16

Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of thy head.

Also the children {H1121} of Noph {H5297} and Tahapanes {H8471} have broken {H7462} the crown of thy head {H6936}.

The people of Nof and Tachpanches feed on the crown of your head.

The men of Memphis and Tahpanhes have shaved the crown of your head.

The children also of Memphis and Tahpanhes have broken the crown of thy head.

Commentary

Context of Jeremiah 2:16

Jeremiah 2:16 is part of a larger prophecy where God, through the prophet Jeremiah, confronts the nation of Judah for its spiritual apostasy and unfaithfulness. The chapter highlights Judah's abandonment of the Lord, who had delivered them from Egypt, and their turning instead to idolatry and reliance on foreign alliances. In this specific verse, God warns Judah of the consequences of their actions, particularly their dangerous reliance on Egypt for protection.

Noph (ancient Memphis) and Tahapanes (also known as Tahpanhes or Daphnae) were prominent cities in Egypt. Noph was an ancient capital, a center of power and religion, while Tahapanes was a frontier city frequently mentioned in connection with Judah's interactions with Egypt. "The children of Noph and Tahapanes" refer to the Egyptians themselves, or their influence and actions.

Meaning of "Broken the Crown of Thy Head"

The phrase "broken the crown of thy head" is a powerful metaphor for severe humiliation, loss of dignity, and national downfall. The "crown of thy head" symbolizes Judah's glory, honor, sovereignty, and strength as a nation chosen by God. To have it "broken" by the very people they sought help from signifies a complete stripping away of their pride and position, leading to shame and defeat. This imagery underscores the deep disgrace and damage Judah would suffer due to its misplaced trust.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Consequences of Spiritual Unfaithfulness: This verse vividly illustrates the dire outcomes of Judah's decision to forsake the Lord, the fountain of living waters, and seek help elsewhere. Their abandonment of God led directly to their vulnerability and subsequent humiliation.
  • Futility of Foreign Alliances: Judah's reliance on Egypt, rather than on God, proved to be their undoing. The very nation they looked to for security became the instrument of their shame. This highlights the biblical warning against trusting in human strength or worldly powers over divine providence. Isaiah 30:1 also speaks to the folly of seeking help from Egypt.
  • Divine Judgment and Discipline: The humiliation inflicted by Egypt was not random but a consequence permitted by God as a form of judgment and discipline for Judah's rebellion and idolatry. It was meant to bring them back to repentance.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew phrase for "broken the crown of thy head" conveys a strong sense of violation and degradation. The word for "crown" (Χ§ΦΈΧ“Φ°Χ§ΦΉΧ“, qodqod) refers to the top of the head, often associated with dignity and authority. Its breaking implies a complete overthrow of status and an utter loss of honor, inflicted by those Judah had courted as allies.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 2:16 serves as a timeless warning for individuals and nations alike. It reminds us that placing our trust in worldly resources, human alliances, or material possessions instead of God ultimately leads to disappointment, shame, and ruin. True security, dignity, and strength come from a faithful relationship with the Lord. When we abandon our spiritual foundation, we become vulnerable to the very forces we hoped would protect us, ultimately losing our "crown" of divine blessing and favor.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 46:14

    Declare 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 43:7

    So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: thus came they [even] to Tahpanhes.

  • Jeremiah 43:9

    Take 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;

  • Jeremiah 44:1

    ΒΆ The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews which dwell in the land of Egypt, which dwell at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Noph, and in the country of Pathros, saying,

  • Isaiah 19:13

    The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, [even they that are] the stay of the tribes thereof.

  • Deuteronomy 33:20

    And of Gad he said, Blessed [be] he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head.

  • Ezekiel 30:16

    And I will set fire in Egypt: Sin shall have great pain, and No shall be rent asunder, and Noph [shall have] distresses daily.
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