Jeremiah 46:12

ยถ The nations have heard of thy shame, and thy cry hath filled the land: for the mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty, [and] they are fallen both together.

The nations {H1471} have heard {H8085} of thy shame {H7036}, and thy cry {H6682} hath filled {H4390} the land {H776}: for the mighty man {H1368} hath stumbled {H3782} against the mighty {H1368}, and they are fallen {H5307} both {H8147} together {H3162}.

The nations have heard about your disgrace; your shrieks fill the earth as warrior trips over warrior, both falling down together.

The nations have heard of your shame, and your outcry fills the earth, because warrior stumbles over warrior and both of them have fallen together.โ€

The nations have heard of thy shame, and the earth is full of thy cry; for the mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty, they are fallen both of them together.

Commentary

Jeremiah 46:12 delivers a powerful prophetic declaration concerning the impending defeat and humiliation of Egypt. This verse vividly portrays the catastrophic consequences of their military downfall, specifically at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophetic oracle found in Jeremiah chapter 46, which primarily focuses on God's judgment against Egypt. The immediate historical backdrop is the decisive Battle of Carchemish (605 BC), where the Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar utterly defeated the Egyptian army led by Pharaoh Necho. Following this battle, Nebuchadnezzar would later invade Egypt itself. Jeremiah's prophecy serves as a divine announcement of this devastating defeat, highlighting that even a mighty nation like Egypt was not beyond God's sovereign judgment. This specific verse underscores the widespread knowledge and impact of Egypt's disgrace.

Key Themes

  • National Humiliation: The phrase "The nations have heard of thy shame" emphasizes that Egypt's defeat was not a private affair but a public spectacle, bringing immense disgrace upon a once-proud empire. This shame was a direct result of their military collapse.
  • Widespread Anguish: "and thy cry hath filled the land" speaks to the deep lamentation, sorrow, and cries of distress that would permeate Egypt after such a crushing defeat. It signifies a national mourning and a profound sense of loss.
  • Total Collapse of Power: "for the mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty, [and] they are fallen both together" paints a chaotic picture of Egypt's military forces. Even their strongest warriors, the 'mighty men' (Hebrew: gibbor), were rendered helpless, stumbling over each other in disarray and falling together. This illustrates the complete breakdown of their fighting capability and the futility of relying on human strength against divine decree. This theme of God's sovereignty over nations is echoed in other prophecies, such as those against Babylon in Isaiah 14.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "shame" is ื‘ึผึนืฉืึถืช (boshet), conveying a sense of disgrace, confusion, and humiliation. The "cry" is ืงื•ึนืœ (qol), meaning voice or sound, here specifically referring to a lament or cry of defeat. The term "mighty man" is ื’ึผึดื‘ึผื•ึนืจ (gibbor), denoting a strong, valiant warrior or champion. The repetition of "mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty" powerfully conveys the internal chaos and utter disarray within the Egyptian ranks, where even their elite forces were ineffective and self-defeating.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 46:12 serves as a timeless reminder that no nation, however mighty, is exempt from God's judgment or beyond His sovereign control. It highlights the transient nature of earthly power and the ultimate futility of relying on human strength or military might apart from God. For believers, it reinforces the truth that God ultimately determines the rise and fall of kingdoms, as seen in Daniel 2:21. This verse encourages humility and a recognition that true security and lasting peace come from reliance on God, not on worldly power or achievements.

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

Cross-References

  • Nahum 3:8

    ยถ Art thou better than populous No, that was situate among the rivers, [that had] the waters round about it, whose rampart [was] the sea, [and] her wall [was] from the sea?

  • Nahum 3:10

    Yet [was] she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets: and they cast lots for her honourable men, and all her great men were bound in chains.

  • Jeremiah 14:2

    Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.

  • Jeremiah 46:6

    Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates.

  • Isaiah 19:2

    And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, [and] kingdom against kingdom.

  • 1 Samuel 5:12

    And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

  • Jeremiah 49:21

    The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea.
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