Jeremiah 46:14

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Declare {H5046} ye in Egypt {H4714}, and publish {H8085} in Migdol {H4024}, and publish {H8085} in Noph {H5297} and in Tahpanhes {H8471}: say {H559} ye, Stand fast {H3320}, and prepare {H3559} thee; for the sword {H2719} shall devour {H398} round about {H5439} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Proclaim in Egypt, announce in Migdol, announce in Nof and Tachpanches; say: 'Take your stand! Get ready! For all around you the sword is destroying.

Berean Standard Bible

“Announce it in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol; proclaim it in Memphis and Tahpanhes: ‘Take your positions and prepare yourself, for the sword devours those around you.’

American Standard Version

Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Memphis and in Tahpanhes: say ye, Stand forth, and prepare thee; for the sword hath devoured round about thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 46:14 delivers a stark and authoritative prophetic declaration of God's impending and comprehensive judgment against Egypt, to be executed through the Babylonian invasion. It commands a widespread public proclamation across key Egyptian cities—Migdol, Noph, and Tahpanhes—urging them to prepare for an inevitable and devastating conflict. This divine pronouncement underscores the futility of human resistance against God's sovereign decree, as the "sword" of His judgment is poised to utterly consume the land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 46:14 is strategically placed within the "Oracles Against the Nations" (Jeremiah 46-51), a crucial section of the book that powerfully demonstrates Yahweh's absolute sovereignty not only over Judah but over all the nations of the earth. Specifically, this verse forms part of the extensive and detailed prophecy concerning Egypt (Jeremiah 46:1-26), which immediately follows the prophecies directed at Judah and Jerusalem. The preceding verses in [Jeremiah 46](/jeremiah/46 "Jeremiah 46 - Prophecy Against Egypt") recount the decisive defeat of Pharaoh Neco's army by Nebuchadnezzar at the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BCE, a pivotal historical event that marked the definitive decline of Egyptian imperial power and the ascendancy of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Verse 14, therefore, serves as a forward-looking prophecy, anticipating the subsequent, deeper invasion of Egypt itself, thereby emphasizing the comprehensive and inescapable nature of God's judgment against a nation that frequently stood as either an unreliable ally or an outright adversary to God's people, Israel.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, Egypt was a formidable regional power, deeply entrenched in the complex geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East. Pharaoh Neco II actively pursued the reassertion of Egyptian influence, leading to direct confrontations with the rapidly expanding Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar. The cities specifically named in the prophecy—**Migdol** (H4024), likely a strategic border fortress situated in the northeastern Delta, serving as a critical entry point for invaders; **Noph** (H5297), the ancient and revered capital of Memphis, which was a major religious, cultural, and administrative heartland; and **Tahpanhes** (H8471), another vital strategic border city in the eastern Delta, renowned for its royal residence and later infamous as a place where Jewish refugees, including Jeremiah himself, would seek refuge (as recorded in [Jeremiah 43:7](/jeremiah/43-7 "Jeremiah 43:7 - Jeremiah and the Refugees in Tahpanhes"))—were all crucial centers of Egyptian power, population, and defense. The prophecy, delivered decades before its fulfillment, accurately anticipates Nebuchadnezzar's actual invasion of Egypt in 568/567 BCE, thereby demonstrating God's meticulous control over history and His use of earthly empires as instruments for His divine will and judgment.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 46:14 powerfully articulates several profound themes. Foremost among them is **Divine Sovereignty** and **Universal Judgment**. The prophecy unequivocally asserts God's absolute authority to orchestrate the rise and fall of nations, even a mighty empire like Egypt, thereby demonstrating His complete control over human history, a truth consistently echoed throughout prophetic literature (e.g., [Isaiah 10:5-7](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5-7 - Assyria as God's Instrument")). The ironic command to "Stand fast, and prepare thee" powerfully conveys the **Futility of Human Resistance** against an unstoppable divine decree. Despite any military preparations or strategic defenses, the pronouncement that "the sword shall devour" signifies an overwhelming, inescapable, and total conquest. This starkly highlights the temporary and limited nature of human strength when contrasted with God's eternal and omnipotent power, a truth beautifully emphasized in passages such as [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalm/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - God's Counsel Stands Forever"). Furthermore, the repeated imperative to "declare" and "publish" across multiple, geographically significant cities underscores the **Widespread Proclamation** and undeniable nature of this divine judgment, ensuring that the inhabitants of Egypt would be fully aware of their impending doom and God's just intervention.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Declare (Hebrew, _nâgad'_):** From H5046, meaning "to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise." In this context, it signifies a public, authoritative, and unmistakable announcement, leaving no room for ignorance regarding the impending judgment. It implies a direct and forceful proclamation.
* **Stand fast (Hebrew, _yâtsab'_):** From H3320, meaning "to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue; present selves, remaining, resort, set (selves), (be able to, can, with-) stand (fast, forth, -ing, still, up)." Here, it is an ironic challenge to take a defensive posture, to hold one's ground firmly, but with the underlying tone of the futility of such efforts given the inevitable outcome of divine judgment.
* **Prepare (Hebrew, _kûwn'_):** From H3559, meaning "properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper or prosperous)." This word implies making ready for battle, organizing defenses, or establishing oneself securely. Yet, within this prophecy, it is ironically juxtaposed with the certainty of total destruction, highlighting the vanity of human preparations against God's decree.
* **Devour (Hebrew, _ʼâkal'_):** From H398, meaning "to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite." Here, it vividly describes the destructive power of the sword, consuming the land and its people like a ravenous beast, signifying total conquest, ruin, and the utter annihilation of their strength and resources.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph and in Tahpanhes:"** This opening clause functions as a divine imperative, commanding the prophetic message to be widely and publicly disseminated throughout the entirety of Egypt. The strategic repetition of "publish" (from H8085, _shâmaʻ_, meaning to hear intelligently, often with the implication of attention and obedience) underscores the urgency, public nature, and undeniable authority of the warning. The specific naming of cities—Migdol, Noph (Memphis), and Tahpanhes—represents the comprehensive reach of the message, ensuring it penetrates both the border defenses and the administrative and cultural heartland of Egypt, leaving no significant part of the nation uninformed of its impending, divinely ordained doom.
* **"say ye, Stand fast, and prepare thee;"** This constitutes a direct, yet deeply ironic, challenge issued to the Egyptians. The imperatives "Stand fast" (H3320, _yâtsab_) and "prepare" (H3559, _kûwn_) are quintessential military commands, urging the nation to ready itself for battle, to fortify its defenses, and to muster its forces. However, within this prophetic context, these commands are saturated with sarcasm and divine mockery. It is as if God is daring Egypt to exert its utmost strength and prepare its most formidable defenses, knowing with absolute certainty that all such human efforts will prove utterly futile and powerless against His appointed instrument of judgment. This highlights the immense and unbridgeable disparity between finite human might and infinite divine power.
* **"for the sword shall devour round about thee."** This concluding clause serves as the definitive reason and ultimate justification for the ironic command and the certainty of judgment. The "sword" (H2719, _chereb_) is a potent **metaphor** for war, violent destruction, and divine retribution, specifically referring to the formidable Babylonian army that God would unleash. The phrase "devour round about thee" (H398, _ʼâkal_ and H5439, _çâbîyb_) vividly signifies a comprehensive, pervasive, and inescapable destruction that will encircle and utterly consume the entire nation, leaving no avenue for escape or refuge. It underscores the totality, severity, and inescapable nature of the impending divine judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 46:14 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound and sobering message. **Irony** is strikingly evident in the command "Stand fast, and prepare thee," as it challenges Egypt to ready itself for a battle it is divinely ordained to lose, thereby emphasizing the overwhelming and unstoppable nature of God's judgment. The "sword" functions as a powerful **Metaphor** for the Babylonian army, representing the precise instrument of divine wrath and comprehensive destruction. The repeated use of "declare" and "publish" across multiple significant cities employs **Repetition** and **Emphasis**, highlighting the widespread and undeniable nature of the prophetic warning, ensuring no one could claim ignorance. Furthermore, the phrase "the sword shall devour round about thee" utilizes **Hyperbole** to underscore the totality and devastating scope of the impending destruction, painting a vivid and terrifying picture of a land completely engulfed and consumed by war.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 46:14 powerfully articulates the foundational biblical truth of God's absolute and unassailable sovereignty over all nations and human affairs. It reveals that no earthly power, however mighty, ancient, or self-assured, can ultimately withstand or thwart the sovereign decrees of the Almighty. Egypt, often a symbol of worldly strength, pride, and a frequent oppressor or unreliable ally to Israel, is here shown to be utterly subject to Yahweh's will and purpose. This prophecy serves as a profound and timeless reminder that divine justice is universal, holding all peoples and nations accountable for their actions, particularly when they defy God's purposes, oppress the vulnerable, or stand in opposition to His chosen people. The futility of human resistance against God's meticulously orchestrated plan is a central theological theme, demonstrating unequivocally that true security and lasting peace lie not in military might, strategic alliances, or human ingenuity, but solely in humble submission to the Lord of Hosts.

* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalm/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations")
* [Isaiah 19:1-4](/isaiah/19-1-4 "Isaiah 19:1-4 - Oracle Concerning Egypt's Judgment")
* [Ezekiel 30:1-8](/ezekiel/30-1-8 "Ezekiel 30:1-8 - Prophecy Against Egypt and Its Allies")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 46:14 offers profound and timeless lessons for believers today, serving as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering justice, His ultimate control over all earthly affairs, and the futility of human pride. In a world often characterized by political instability, shifting global powers, and pervasive human hubris, this verse calls us to anchor our hope, trust, and ultimate allegiance in the sovereign God who meticulously orchestrates the rise and fall of nations. It challenges us to critically examine where we place our ultimate reliance—is it in the perceived strength of human institutions, the security of financial assets, the allure of political systems, or in the unfailing and omnipotent power of God? The profound irony embedded in the command to "Stand fast, and prepare thee" serves as a potent warning against self-reliance, nationalistic hubris, and any form of human arrogance that presumes to defy divine will, urging instead a posture of profound humility before the Creator and Sustainer of all things. For individuals, this passage prompts deep introspection: are we preparing ourselves for the challenges and uncertainties of life in our own limited strength, or are we diligently seeking God's divine guidance, trusting implicitly in His perfect provision, and submitting to His sovereign plan? Ultimately, this passage encourages a posture of profound reverence, unwavering faith, and humble submission to God's will, knowing with absolute certainty that His plans will always prevail, and His righteous justice will always be served, whether in the form of temporal judgment or eternal salvation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your personal life or in the life of your community do you tend to rely on human strength, wisdom, or resources more than on God's sovereignty and provision?**
* **How does understanding God's comprehensive judgment on powerful nations like ancient Egypt inform and shape your prayers for your own nation, its leaders, and the global community?**
* **What practical lessons does the "futility of human resistance" in this verse teach you about cultivating humility and fostering a spirit of submission to God's overarching will?**
* **How can the absolute certainty of God's prophetic word, even when it declares judgment, strengthen your faith and deepen your unwavering trust in His faithfulness and power?**

### FAQ
**Why did God specifically command the message to be declared in Migdol, Noph, and Tahpanhes?**

Answer: These cities were chosen because they were strategically, politically, and culturally significant centers in ancient Egypt, ensuring the message would reach the most vital parts of the nation. Migdol (H4024) was likely a key border fortress in the northeastern Delta, serving as a primary entry point for invaders from the east. Noph (H5297), or Memphis, was the ancient capital and a major administrative, religious, and cultural hub, representing the heart of Egyptian power. Tahpanhes (H8471) was another important border city in the eastern Delta, known for its royal residence and later as a place where Jewish exiles, including Jeremiah, would seek refuge (as seen in [Jeremiah 43:7](/jeremiah/43-7 "Jeremiah 43:7 - Jeremiah's Journey to Tahpanhes")). By naming these specific locations, the prophecy emphasized that the impending judgment would be comprehensive and inescapable, affecting both the borders and the very core of Egypt, leaving no place untouched and ensuring the message was heard by all significant segments of the population. It underscored the totality and undeniable nature of God's impending judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 46:14 speaks specifically of God's temporal judgment upon the nation of Egypt, executed through the instrument of the Babylonian sword, it profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and comprehensive judgment that will be executed by Jesus Christ. Just as God sovereignly used Nebuchadnezzar as His chosen instrument of judgment in the Old Testament, so too is Jesus Christ appointed by the Father as the final and supreme judge of all nations, all peoples, and all individuals ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father has given all judgment to the Son")). The "sword" of divine judgment, which metaphorically consumed Egypt in Jeremiah's prophecy, finds its ultimate spiritual and eschatological parallel in the "sharp two-edged sword" that proceeds from Christ's mouth, symbolizing the absolute power and authority of His word to judge, to execute righteous decrees, and to conquer all opposition ([Revelation 1:16](/revelation/1-16 "Revelation 1:16 - Christ with a sharp two-edged sword") and [Revelation 19:15](/revelation/19-15 "Revelation 19:15 - Christ's Sword of Judgment")). The profound futility of Egypt's military preparations and human resistance against God's decree points directly to the absolute inability of fallen humanity to stand against Christ's final, righteous judgment through self-effort, worldly power, or any form of human strength. In that coming day, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess His Lordship ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Will Bow Before Christ")), for He is the one to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given by the Father ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Christ")). Thus, Jeremiah's ancient prophecy of impending doom for Egypt serves as a stark and universal reminder of the inescapable accountability before the righteous judgment of God, a judgment fully embodied and ultimately administered by the resurrected and reigning Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 44:1

¶ 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,

Jeremiah 46:10

For this [is] the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.

Jeremiah 46:3

Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle.

Jeremiah 46:4

Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with [your] helmets; furbish the spears, [and] put on the brigandines.

Jeremiah 2:30

In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.

Jeremiah 43:8

¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,

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;