Jeremiah 46:18

KJV

[As] I live, saith the King, whose name [is] the LORD of hosts, Surely as Tabor [is] among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, [so] shall he come.

KJV (with Strong's)

As I live {H2416}, saith {H5002} the King {H4428}, whose name {H8034} is the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, Surely as Tabor {H8396} is among the mountains {H2022}, and as Carmel {H3760} by the sea {H3220}, so shall he come {H935}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"As I live," says the king, whose name is ADONAI-Tzva'ot, "when he comes, he will be [as mighty] as Tavor among the mountains, as Karmel next to the sea.

Berean Standard Bible

As surely as I live, declares the King, whose name is the LORD of Hosts, there will come one who is like Tabor among the mountains and like Carmel by the sea.

American Standard Version

As I live, saith the King, whose name is Jehovah of hosts, surely like Tabor among the mountains, and like Carmel by the sea, so shall he come.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 46:18 presents a solemn divine oath from the LORD, the King of hosts, declaring with absolute certainty the impending arrival of Nebuchadnezzar's forces against Egypt. Through a powerful simile comparing the unshakeable certainty of this event to the prominent and undeniable presence of Mount Tabor among the mountains and Mount Carmel by the sea, the verse underscores God's supreme sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to fulfilling His prophetic decrees, particularly regarding judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 46:18 is situated within a significant section of the book of Jeremiah (chapters 46-51) dedicated to prophecies against foreign nations. Specifically, chapter 46 focuses on the [prophecy concerning Egypt](/jeremiah/46 "Jeremiah 46 - Prophecy Against Egypt"), delivered after the decisive defeat of the Egyptian army by Nebuchadnezzar at Carchemish around 605 BC (cf. [Jeremiah 46:2](/jeremiah/46-2 "Jeremiah 46:2 - Battle of Carchemish")). This verse serves as a climactic declaration of the absolute inevitability of Babylon's subsequent invasion and conquest of Egypt, reinforcing the divine decree previously announced. It follows pronouncements of Egypt's humiliation and precedes further details of their impending defeat and eventual, though limited, restoration.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the late 7th and early 6th centuries BC, a period of significant geopolitical upheaval. The Neo-Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar, was rapidly ascending, challenging the established powers of Egypt and Assyria. Egypt, a long-standing regional power, had often interfered in the affairs of Judah, sometimes offering a false sense of security. The defeat at Carchemish marked a turning point, signaling Egypt's decline. Mount Tabor and Mount Carmel, mentioned in the verse, are iconic and highly visible landmarks in ancient Israel. Mount Tabor, an isolated, conical mountain in Lower Galilee, and Mount Carmel, a prominent mountain range extending to the Mediterranean Sea, were universally recognized symbols of permanence, majesty, and undeniable presence. Their use in the simile would have immediately conveyed to Jeremiah's audience the absolute and inescapable reality of the prophesied event.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's ultimate control over the rise and fall of nations, using empires like Babylon as instruments of His will ([Jeremiah 27:5-7](/jeremiah/27-5 "Jeremiah 27:5-7 - God's Sovereignty Over Nations")). Secondly, it emphasizes the **Certainty of Divine Judgment**, particularly against those who oppose God's purposes or rely on human strength over divine faithfulness. The oath "As I live" underscores the unshakeable truth of God's word. Thirdly, the verse points to **God's Unchallengeable Authority**, conveyed through the title "the LORD of hosts," signifying His command over all celestial and earthly forces. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Prophetic Fulfillment**, assuring the audience that what God declares will undeniably come to pass, just as visible and permanent as the mountains themselves.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **King (Hebrew, _melek_):** This term, meaning "a king" or "royal," here refers to God Himself. By identifying Himself as "the King," the LORD asserts His supreme, universal dominion, not merely over Israel but over all nations and creation. This title underscores His absolute authority to decree and execute judgment.
* **LORD of hosts (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh tsâbâʼ_):** This powerful divine title combines God's covenant name, _Yᵉhôvâh_ (the self-Existent or Eternal), with _tsâbâʼ_, meaning "a mass of persons... organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, hardship, worship." Together, "LORD of hosts" portrays God as the supreme commander of all armies, both heavenly (angels) and earthly (nations, armies). It emphasizes His omnipotence and His ability to orchestrate global events, making His pronouncements unchallengeable and their fulfillment certain.
* **Tabor (Hebrew, _Tâbôwr_):** A proper noun referring to a prominent mountain in Palestine, known for its distinctive, isolated shape. Its mention here, along with Carmel, serves as a powerful symbol of immovability, visibility, and undeniable presence. Just as Tabor stands firm and evident among other mountains, so too will the prophesied event be undeniable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As I live, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts":** This opening clause functions as a solemn divine oath, the strongest possible affirmation of truth and certainty in the Hebrew Bible. God swears by His own existence, guaranteeing the absolute reliability and inevitability of the ensuing declaration. The titles "King" and "LORD of hosts" reinforce His supreme authority and power to bring His word to pass.
* **"Surely as Tabor is among the mountains":** This introduces the first part of a powerful simile. Mount Tabor, a well-known and unmistakable landmark in Israel, represents something fixed, prominent, and undeniably present in the landscape. The comparison implies that the coming event is as certain and visible as this geographical feature.
* **"and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he come.":** This completes the simile, adding Mount Carmel, another equally iconic and visible landmark that extends to the Mediterranean Sea. The combined imagery of Tabor and Carmel emphasizes the absolute and inescapable nature of the coming judgment. "So shall he come" refers to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, whose arrival in Egypt is declared to be as certain and evident as these mountains.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 46:18 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its message with force and clarity. The most prominent is the **Divine Oath**, "As I live, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts." This formula is a potent rhetorical device used by God to underscore the absolute certainty and inviolability of His word, making the ensuing prophecy an unalterable decree. Following this, a powerful **Simile** is used: "Surely as Tabor is among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he come." By comparing the certainty of Nebuchadnezzar's arrival to the fixed and undeniable presence of these iconic mountains, the prophet effectively communicates the inevitability and prominence of the impending judgment on Egypt. This **Imagery** of unshakeable natural landmarks grounds the divine promise in tangible, observable reality, making the abstract concept of prophetic fulfillment concrete and vivid for the audience. The repetition of the idea of undeniable presence through two distinct mountains also serves as a form of **Emphasis**, reinforcing the message's gravity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 46:18 stands as a profound testament to God's unwavering sovereignty and the absolute certainty of His word. It teaches that no nation, however mighty or seemingly secure, can escape the divine decree when judgment is purposed. The oath "As I live" is a recurring motif in Scripture, always signaling an irreversible commitment from God, whether in promise or in judgment. This verse, therefore, serves as a powerful reminder that God is not merely a distant observer but an active participant in human history, orchestrating the rise and fall of empires according to His righteous will. The judgment on Egypt, a nation that often symbolized worldly power and false security for Israel, highlights that reliance on human strength or alliances ultimately proves futile against the purposes of the Almighty.

* [Numbers 14:28](/numbers/14-28 "Numbers 14:28 - God's Oath to Israel")
* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")
* [Daniel 4:34-35](/daniel/4-34 "Daniel 4:34-35 - Nebuchadnezzar's Confession of God's Sovereignty")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 46:18 offers profound lessons for believers today. The absolute certainty of God's word, sealed by His own existence, should instill in us an unshakeable confidence in His promises and His character. In a world characterized by instability, uncertainty, and shifting powers, this verse reminds us that God remains the unchanging King, whose plans will always prevail. For those who trust in Him, this provides immense comfort, knowing that His purposes for good are as certain as the mountains. For those who might be tempted to rely on worldly strength or to disregard God's commands, it serves as a solemn warning that divine justice is inevitable. Our response should be one of humble submission to His sovereign will, living in faith that His word, whether of judgment or salvation, will surely come to pass. It calls us to align our lives with His eternal purposes, recognizing that all earthly powers are ultimately subservient to the King of hosts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the divine oath, "As I live," impact your understanding of the certainty of God's promises and warnings in your own life?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on worldly "mountains" (e.g., wealth, power, human connections) rather than on the sovereign "King, whose name is the LORD of hosts"?**
* **How does the historical fulfillment of prophecies like this one strengthen your faith in the future fulfillment of God's word, particularly concerning Christ's return and the establishment of His kingdom?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "As I live, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts"?**
Answer: This phrase is a solemn divine oath, the strongest possible affirmation in the Hebrew Bible. When God swears "As I live," He is staking His very existence on the truth and certainty of what He is about to declare. It signifies that the prophecy is not merely a possibility or a human prediction, but an absolute, unalterable decree from the supreme, living God, the "King" who possesses ultimate authority and commands all "hosts" or armies, both heavenly and earthly. It underscores the unshakeable reliability of God's word and His power to bring it to pass.

**Why are Mount Tabor and Mount Carmel specifically mentioned in this prophecy?**
Answer: Mount Tabor and Mount Carmel were highly prominent, well-known, and unmistakable geographical landmarks in ancient Israel. They were symbols of permanence, visibility, and undeniable presence. By comparing Nebuchadnezzar's impending arrival to Egypt to the certainty of these mountains standing in their places, the prophecy emphasizes that the invasion will be just as real, visible, and unavoidable. It's a powerful simile that grounds the abstract concept of prophetic fulfillment in a concrete, tangible reality that the audience would immediately understand and recognize.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 46:18 speaks directly to the certainty of judgment upon Egypt through Nebuchadnezzar, its deeper theological resonance points to the ultimate King and the certainty of His coming. The "King, whose name is the LORD of hosts," is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is the true King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")), whose word is as certain as His very being. Just as Nebuchadnezzar's arrival was undeniable, so too is the coming of Christ—both in His first advent as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), and in His second advent as the righteous Judge and reigning King ([Acts 1:11](/acts/1-11 "Acts 1:11 - The Return of Jesus")). The certainty of God's judgment on nations in the Old Testament foreshadows the ultimate, universal judgment that will occur at Christ's return ([Matthew 25:31-32](/matthew/25-31 "Matthew 25:31-32 - The Son of Man's Judgment")). Moreover, the steadfastness of Tabor and Carmel points to the unshakeable nature of God's kingdom, established through Christ, which "cannot be shaken" ([Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken")). Thus, this verse, while a prophecy of judgment, ultimately reinforces the absolute reliability of God's redemptive plan centered on His Son, Jesus Christ, whose coming and reign are the most certain realities in all of history.

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 48:15

Moab is spoiled, and gone up [out of] her cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, saith the King, whose name [is] the LORD of hosts.

Judges 4:6

And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, [saying], Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

Joshua 19:22

And the coast reacheth to Tabor, and Shahazimah, and Bethshemesh; and the outgoings of their border were at Jordan: sixteen cities with their villages.

Psalms 89:12

The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.

Malachi 1:14

But cursed [be] the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I [am] a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name [is] dreadful among the heathen.

Isaiah 47:4

[As for] our redeemer, the LORD of hosts [is] his name, the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 48:2

For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts [is] his name.