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;

Take {H3947} great {H1419} stones {H68} in thine hand {H3027}, and hide {H2934} them in the clay {H4423} in the brickkiln {H4404}, which is at the entry {H6607} of Pharaoh's {H6547} house {H1004} in Tahpanhes {H8471}, in the sight {H5869} of the men {H582} of Judah {H3064};

"With the men of Y'hudah watching, take some big stones, and set them with mortar in the pavement at the entry to Pharaoh's palace in Tachpanches.

“In the sight of the Jews, pick up some large stones and bury them in the clay of the brick pavement at the entrance to Pharaoh’s palace at Tahpanhes.

Take great stones in thy hand, and hide them in mortar in the brickwork, which is at the entry of Pharaoh’s house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah;

Commentary

Jeremiah 43:9 describes a symbolic act commanded by God to the prophet Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, Egypt. This dramatic visual prophecy served as a powerful warning to the remnant of Judah who had disobediently fled to Egypt, seeking refuge from the Babylonians.

Historical and Cultural Context

Following the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Babylon over Judah, a fearful Jewish remnant decided to flee to Egypt, despite explicit warnings from God through Jeremiah not to go (Jeremiah 42:19-22). They believed Egypt would offer safety from the Babylonian power. Jeremiah 43 finds Jeremiah with this group in Tahpanhes, an important Egyptian border city and administrative center, possibly where a "Pharaoh's house" or royal residence was located. The "brickkiln" (Hebrew: malben) was a place for making bricks, a common construction site, and symbolically linked to Israel's past bondage in Egypt. This public act, performed "in the sight of the men of Judah," ensured the Jewish exiles witnessed the prophetic warning firsthand.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment on Egypt: The act of hiding "great stones" in the clay of the brickkiln symbolized the future invasion and conquest of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. These stones would metaphorically become the foundation for Nebuchadnezzar's throne, signifying his dominion over Egypt (Jeremiah 43:10). This prophecy is also elaborated upon in Jeremiah 46:13-26 and Ezekiel 29:19-20.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The remnant's flight to Egypt was an act of direct rebellion against God's revealed will. This prophecy demonstrates that their disobedience would not lead to safety but rather to continued exposure to God's judgment, as Babylon would pursue them even into Egypt.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nations: God declares His absolute control over all nations, even using pagan kings like Nebuchadnezzar as His instruments of judgment and fulfilling His purposes (Jeremiah 27:6).
  • Prophetic Sign-Act: Jeremiah frequently performed symbolic actions to underscore his messages, making them more tangible and memorable (e.g., the linen girdle in Jeremiah 13:1 or the potter's house in Jeremiah 18:1). This act of hiding stones is another example of such powerful visual communication.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 43:9 serves as a stark reminder that attempting to escape God's will by seeking human solutions often leads to greater peril. The narrative highlights the importance of trusting in divine guidance rather than relying on our own understanding or perceived safe havens. God's word is always fulfilled, regardless of human plans or resistance. For believers today, it underscores the need for obedience and faith, even when God's path seems difficult or counter-intuitive. True security is found in aligning our lives with God's perfect plan, not in external circumstances or human strategies.

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

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 18:2

    Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.

  • Jeremiah 18:12

    And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.

  • Jeremiah 51:63

    And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, [that] thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates:

  • Jeremiah 51:64

    And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far [are] the words of Jeremiah.

  • Jeremiah 19:1

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD, Go and get a potter's earthen bottle, and [take] of the ancients of the people, and of the ancients of the priests;

  • Jeremiah 19:15

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words.

  • Isaiah 20:1

    ¶ In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it;
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