Jeremiah 46:1

¶ The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles;

The word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} which came to Jeremiah {H3414} the prophet {H5030} against the Gentiles {H1471};

This is the word of ADONAI that came to Yirmeyahu the prophet concerning the nations.

This is the word of the LORD about the nations—the word that came to Jeremiah the prophet

The word of Jehovah which came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations.

Commentary

Jeremiah 46:1 serves as the introductory verse to a significant section of Jeremiah’s prophecies, specifically those directed not at Judah, but at surrounding foreign nations. It sets the stage for a series of divine pronouncements concerning the judgment and future of various Gentile powers, beginning prominently with Egypt.

Historical and Cultural Context

The prophet Jeremiah ministered during a tumultuous period in ancient Near Eastern history, roughly from 627 to 586 BC. This era was marked by the decline of the Assyrian Empire, the rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar, and the waning power of Egypt. Judah, Jeremiah's homeland, was often caught between these geopolitical giants, frequently seeking alliances with Egypt against the growing threat of Babylon. However, Jeremiah consistently warned against such reliance on human powers, instead urging faithfulness to God. This chapter initiates a collection of prophecies, often called the "Oracles Against the Nations" (Jeremiah 46-51), demonstrating that God's authority extends far beyond Israel, encompassing all peoples and kingdoms.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty: The opening phrase, "The word of the LORD," immediately establishes that these prophecies are not human political analyses but direct divine revelations. It underscores God's absolute control and authority over all nations, not just His covenant people. This theme is echoed throughout the Old Testament, such as in Psalm 33:10-11, which speaks of the LORD's counsel standing forever.
  • Prophecy Against Nations: This verse introduces a common prophetic motif found in other books like Isaiah (Isaiah 13:1) and Ezekiel (Ezekiel 25:1), where God declares His judgment against powerful empires. It highlights His justice and His intervention in world affairs.
  • Focus on Egypt: By specifically naming Egypt, the verse immediately draws attention to a nation that had a long and complex history with Israel, from the Exodus to contemporary political entanglements. The subsequent verses in this chapter will detail the specific judgments against Egypt.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "The word of the LORD" is a common prophetic formula (Hebrew: davar Yahweh), emphasizing the divine origin and authority of the message. It signifies that what follows is not merely human opinion but God's authoritative decree. The term "Gentiles" (Hebrew: goyim) broadly refers to all other nations or peoples who are not Israel, indicating the universal scope of God's judgment and plan.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 46:1 reminds us that God is sovereign over all earthly powers and nations. No government or empire, no matter how mighty, operates outside of His ultimate control and accountability. This truth offers comfort to believers, knowing that God is at work in the world, and serves as a warning to all leaders that their actions are observed and ultimately judged by the divine hand. It encourages us to trust in God's overarching plan, even when worldly affairs seem chaotic, much like Jeremiah had to trust God during the tumultuous times of his own ministry, as seen from his calling in Jeremiah 1:5.

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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 1:10

    See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

  • Romans 3:29

    [Is he] the God of the Jews only? [is he] not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

  • Jeremiah 25:15

    ¶ For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.

  • Jeremiah 25:38

    He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce anger.

  • Zechariah 2:8

    For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

  • Numbers 23:9

    For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.

  • Jeremiah 4:7

    The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; [and] thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.
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