Jeremiah 46:17

They did cry there, Pharaoh king of Egypt [is but] a noise; he hath passed the time appointed.

They did cry {H7121} there, Pharaoh {H6547} king {H4428} of Egypt {H4714} is but a noise {H7588}; he hath passed {H5674} the time appointed {H4150}.

They cried there, "Pharaoh king of Egypt makes noise, but he lets the right time [for action] slip by."

There they will cry out: โ€˜Pharaoh king of Egypt was all noise; he has let the appointed time pass him by.โ€™

They cried there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he hath let the appointed time pass by.

Commentary

Context

Jeremiah 46 is part of a series of prophecies Jeremiah delivered against various foreign nations. This particular chapter focuses on God's judgment against Egypt, a powerful neighbor of Judah that often sought to assert its influence or serve as an unreliable ally. Verse 17 specifically refers to the aftermath of the Battle of Carchemish (around 605 BC), where the Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar decisively defeated the Egyptian army led by Pharaoh Necho II. This defeat marked a significant shift in regional power, diminishing Egypt's standing and setting the stage for Babylon's dominance.

Key Themes

  • The Futility of Human Power: Pharaoh, once a formidable ruler, is reduced to "but a noise," an empty boast without substance. This highlights the transient nature of earthly power and the ultimate inability of human might to withstand divine judgment.
  • Divine Sovereignty Over Nations: The verse powerfully conveys that God is in control of history and the rise and fall of kingdoms. Pharaoh's time was "appointed," and when that time passed, his power waned, demonstrating that even the strongest rulers are subject to God's will. It underscores the biblical truth that God sets up and takes down kings and kingdoms.
  • Lost Opportunity and Judgment: "He hath passed the time appointed" suggests that Pharaoh missed a crucial window of opportunity or that his period of dominance, divinely allotted, had come to an end, leading to his downfall and humiliation.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Pharaoh king of Egypt [is but] a noise" uses the Hebrew word ืฉึธืืื•ึนืŸ (sha'on), which can mean "uproar," "tumult," or "din." Here, it's used derisively to describe Pharaoh's once-feared presence as nothing more than empty sound, lacking substance or effective power after his defeat. The phrase "he hath passed the time appointed" translates the Hebrew ืขึธื‘ึทืจ ืžื•ึนืขึตื“ ('avar mo'ed), which literally means "passed the appointed time" or "missed the rendezvous." It signifies that Pharaoh's moment, or the period God had allowed for his success, had expired, leading to his inevitable demise.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 46:17 serves as a timeless reminder that:

  1. Human boasting is vain: We should not place our trust in worldly power, wealth, or influence, as these are fleeting and can be diminished at any moment.
  2. God's timing is sovereign: There are divinely appointed times for all things. Recognizing and respecting God's sovereignty in history and in our personal lives fosters humility and reliance on Him.
  3. Opportunities can be lost: Just as Pharaoh "passed the time appointed," we are called to be vigilant and responsive to the opportunities God presents, understanding that some moments may not return.
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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

  • Isaiah 19:11

    Surely the princes of Zoan [are] fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I [am] the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?

  • Isaiah 19:16

    In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which he shaketh over it.

  • 1 Kings 20:10

    And Benhadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me.

  • Exodus 15:9

    The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

  • Isaiah 31:3

    Now the Egyptians [are] men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.

  • Ezekiel 31:18

    To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth: thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with [them that be] slain by the sword. This [is] Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Ezekiel 29:3

    Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river [is] mine own, and I have made [it] for myself.
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