TRV
Translation
Complete Jewish Bible
Who is this, rising up like the Nile, like rivers whose waters surge out in flood?
American Standard Version
Who is this that riseth up like the Nile, whose waters toss themselves like the rivers?
World English Bible Messianic
Who is this who rises up like the Nile, whose waters toss themselves like the rivers?
Geneva Bible (1599)
Who is this, that commeth vp, as a flood, whose waters are mooued like the riuers?
Young's Literal Translation
Who is this? as a flood he cometh up, As rivers do his waters shake themselves!
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In the KJVVerse 20,053 of 31,102
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Commentary on Jeremiah 46 verses 1–12
1 ¶ The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles;
2 Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah.
3 Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle.
4 Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the brigandines.
5 Wherefore have I seen them dismayed and turned away back? and their mighty ones are beaten down, and are fled apace, and look not back: for fear was round about, saith the LORD.
6 Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates.
7 Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?
8 Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof.
9 Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow.
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.
11 Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured.
12 ¶ 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 first verse is the title of that part of this book, which relates to the neighbouring nations, and follows here. It is the word of the Lord which came to Jeremiah against the Gentiles; for God is King and Judge of nations, knows and will call to an account those who know him not nor take any notice of him. Both Isaiah and Ezekiel prophesied against these nations that Jeremiah here has a separate saying to, and with reference to the same events. In the Old Testament we have the word of the Lord against the Gentiles; in the New Testament we have the word of the Lord for the Gentiles, that those who were afar off are made nigh.
He begins with Egypt, because they were of old Israel's oppressors and of late their deceivers, when they put confidence in them. In these verses he foretells the overthrow of the army of Pharaoh-necho, by Nebuchadnezzar, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, which was so complete a victory to the king of Babylon that thereby he recovered from the river of Egypt to the river Euphrates, all that pertained to the king of Egypt, and so weakened him that he came not again any more out of his land (as we find, Kg2 24:7), and so made him pay dearly for his expedition against the king of Assyria four years before, in which he slew Josiah, Kg2 23:29. This is the event that is here foretold in lofty expressions of triumph over Egypt thus foiled, which Jeremiah would speak of with a particular pleasure, because the death of Josiah, which he had lamented, was now avenged on Pharaoh-necho. Now here,
I. The Egyptians are upbraided with the mighty preparations they made for this expedition, in which the prophet calls to them to do their utmost, for so they would: "Come then, order the buckler, let the weapons of war be got ready," Jer 46:3. Egypt was famous for horses - let them be harnessed and the cavalry well mounted: Get up, you horsemen, and stand forth, etc., Jer 46:4. See what preparations the children of men make, with abundance of care and trouble and at a vast expense, to kill one another, as if they did not die fast enough of themselves. He compares their marching out upon this expedition to the rising of their river Nile (Jer 46:7, Jer 46:8): Egypt now rises up like a flood, scorning to keep within its own banks and threatening to overflow all the neighbouring lands. It is a very formidable army that the Egyptians bring into the field upon this occasion. The prophet summons them (Jer 46:9): Come up, you horses; rage, you chariots. He challenges them to bring all their confederate troops together, the Ethiopians, that descended from the same stock with the Egyptians (Gen 10:6), and were their neighbours and allies, the Libyans and Lydians, both seated in Africa, to the west of Egypt, and from them the Egyptians fetched their auxiliary forces. Let them strengthen themselves with all the art and interest they have, yet it shall be all in vain; they shall be shamefully defeated notwithstanding, for God will fight against them, and against him there is no wisdom nor counsel, Pro 21:30, Pro 21:31. It concerns those that go forth to war not only to order the buckler, and harness the horses, but to repent of their sins, and pray to God for his presence with them, and that they may have it to keep themselves from every wicked thing.
II. They are upbraided with the great expectations they had from this expedition, which were quite contrary to what God intended in bringing them together. They knew their own thoughts, and God knew them, and sat in heaven and laughed at them,; but they knew not the thoughts of the Lord, for he gathers them as sheaves into the floor, Mic 4:11, Mic 4:12. Egypt saith (Jer 46:8): I will go up; I will cover the earth, and none shall hinder me; I will destroy the city, whatever city it is that stands in my way. Like Pharaoh of old, I will pursue, I will overtake. The Egyptians say that they shall have a day of it, but God saith that it shall be his day: The is the day of the Lord God of hosts (Jer 46:10), the day in which he will be exalted in the overthrow of the Egyptians. They meant one thing, but God meant another; they designed it for the advancement of their dignity and the enlargement of their dominion, but God designed it for the great abasement and weakening of their kingdom. It is a day of vengeance for Josiah's death; it is a day of sacrifice to divine justice, to which multitudes of the sinners of Egypt shall fall as victims. Note, When men think to magnify themselves by pushing on unrighteous enterprises, let them expect that God will glorify himself by blasting them and cutting them off.
III. They are upbraided with their cowardice and inglorious flight when they come to an engagement (Jer 46:5, Jer 46:6): "Wherefore have I seen them, notwithstanding all these mighty and vast preparations and all these expressions of bravery and resolution, when the Chaldean army faces them, dismayed, turned back, quite disheartened, and no spirit left in them." 1. They make a shameful retreat. Even their mighty ones, who, one would think, should have stood their ground, flee a flight, flee by consent, make the best of their way, flee in confusion and with the utmost precipitation; they have neither time nor heart to look back, but fear is round about them, for they apprehend it so. And yet, 2. They cannot make their escape. They have the shame of flying, and yet not the satisfaction of saving themselves by flight; they might as well have stood their ground and died upon the spot; for even the swift shall not flee away. The lightness of their heels shall fail them when it comes to the trial, as well as the stoutness of their hearts; the mighty shall not escape, nay, they are beaten down and broken to pieces. They shall stumble in their flight, and fall towards the north, towards their enemy's country; for such confusion were they in when they took to their feet that instead of making homeward, as men usually do in that case, they made forward. Note, The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Valiant men are not always victorious.
IV. They are upbraided with their utter inability ever to recover this blow, which should be fatal to their nation, Jer 46:11, Jer 46:12. The damsel, the daughter of Egypt, that lived in great pomp and state, is sorely wounded by this defeat. Let her now seek for balm in Gilead and physicians there; let her use all the medicines her wise men can prescribe for the healing of this hurt, and the repairing of the loss sustained by this defeat; but all in vain; no cure shall be to them; they shall never be able to bring such a powerful army as this into the field again. "The nations that rang of thy glory and strength have now heard of thy shame, how shamefully thou wast routed and how thou are weakened by it." It needs not be spread by the triumphs of the conquerors, the shrieks and outcries of the conquered will proclaim it: Thy cry hath filled the country about. For, when they fled several ways, one mighty man stumbled upon another and dashed against another, such confusion were they in, so that both together became a pray to the pursuers, an easy prey. A thousand such dreadful accidents there should be, which should fill the country with the cry of those that were overcome. Let not the mighty man therefore glory in his might, for the time may come when it will stand him in no stead.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–12. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Jeremiah 46:7 introduces a powerful, dramatic rhetorical question, painting a vivid prophetic image of an overwhelming and irresistible force. This verse serves as a potent prelude to God's pronouncement of judgment against the nation of Egypt, specifically foretelling the decisive defeat of Pharaoh Necho's army by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon at the pivotal Battle of Carchemish. Through the evocative metaphor of a surging flood and agitated rivers, the prophet masterfully conveys the unstoppable nature of this divinely orchestrated judgment, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and the ultimate futility of human might when it stands in opposition to His divine will.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 46:7 is profoundly rich in literary devices that significantly amplify its prophetic impact and vivid imagery. The most prominent device employed is the Rhetorical Question, "Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?" This question is not posed to elicit a direct answer from the audience but rather to build suspense, emphasize the awe-inspiring and formidable nature of the approaching force, and subtly highlight its mysterious, almost supernatural origin as an instrument of divine will. The verse also makes powerful use of Simile, comparing the unidentified force to "a flood" and its "waters" to "the rivers." This comparison masterfully leverages the well-understood power, destructive potential, and irresistible momentum of natural phenomena, particularly the Nile's inundation, to convey the overwhelming might and relentless advance of the Babylonian army. Furthermore, the verse is replete with vivid Imagery, evoking a powerful mental picture of a vast, surging body of water—turbulent, agitated, and utterly unstoppable—thereby effectively communicating the immense scale and destructive power of the impending divine judgment against Egypt.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 46:7 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign and meticulous control over world events, particularly the rise and fall of nations. The seemingly unstoppable "flood" of the Babylonian army is not a random historical occurrence or a mere consequence of geopolitical shifts, but rather a divinely appointed instrument of judgment against Egypt's pride, its idolatry, and its opposition to God's ultimate purposes. This passage powerfully underscores the profound theological truth that all earthly powers and empires, no matter how mighty or self-assured, are ultimately subject to the immutable will of the Almighty. It serves as a stark and humbling reminder that God frequently uses even pagan empires and their formidable armies to accomplish His righteous decrees, bringing justice and fulfilling His prophetic word precisely as He intends. The imagery of an overwhelming, irresistible force also points to the absolute futility of human resistance when God's judgment is set in motion, emphasizing that true security and lasting peace lie not in military might, political alliances, or human ingenuity, but solely in alignment with God's divine plan and in humble submission to His sovereign will.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 46:7, while deeply rooted in an ancient historical context, offers timeless and profoundly relevant spiritual truths for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful call for us to recognize and acknowledge God's absolute and unwavering sovereignty over all of creation, including the tumultuous affairs of nations, the unpredictable currents of global politics, and the seemingly overwhelming challenges in our personal lives. Just as God meticulously orchestrated the "flood" of Babylon to accomplish His specific purposes against Egypt, so too does He remain intimately in control amidst present-day global upheavals, economic uncertainties, natural disasters, or deeply personal crises. This profound truth should inspire within us a deep sense of trust, humility, and unwavering confidence, reminding us that no power, no problem, and no situation is ever beyond His omnipotent reach or His ultimate purpose. It powerfully challenges us to surrender our anxieties, fears, and perceived need for control to the One who sovereignly "moves the waters" of history, enabling us to find profound peace and steadfast hope in His unwavering control and perfect justice. Furthermore, this verse serves as a potent reminder that human pride, self-reliance, and reliance on earthly strength will ultimately crumble before the divine will, urging us to humble ourselves before God, seek His wisdom above all else, and align our lives with His eternal purposes.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who is the "this" that comes up as a flood in Jeremiah 46:7?
Answer: While the verse itself poses a rhetorical question to build suspense and emphasize the overwhelming nature of the force, the immediate context and subsequent verses in Jeremiah 46 make it unequivocally clear that "this" refers to the formidable Neo-Babylonian army under the command of Nebuchadnezzar. This army is presented as the divinely appointed instrument of God's judgment against Egypt, powerfully likened to an overwhelming and unstoppable natural disaster, specifically the surging, irresistible waters of the Nile or other great rivers, which were both life-giving and potentially devastating forces in the ancient world.
Why does Jeremiah use the imagery of a "flood" and "rivers" to describe an army?
Answer: The prophetic use of "flood" and "rivers" imagery is exceptionally effective and multi-layered for several reasons. Firstly, for an ancient Near Eastern audience, particularly the Egyptians, the Nile River's annual inundation was a powerful and deeply ingrained symbol of overwhelming force, whether for blessing (fertility) or destruction (catastrophic floods). This imagery immediately conveys the idea of an irresistible, all-consuming, and inescapable power. Secondly, it powerfully emphasizes the sheer numerical strength, vastness, and relentless momentum of the invading army, much like an immense body of water that cannot be contained or diverted. Lastly, it subtly and ironically connects the impending judgment to the very source of Egypt's life, prosperity, and national identity, turning their symbol of sustenance into a metaphor for their impending destruction, thereby underscoring the divine reversal of their fortunes and the futility of their resistance.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 46:7 directly prophesies the judgment of Egypt through the Babylonian "flood," it finds a profound and expansive Christ-centered fulfillment in the broader biblical narrative of God's sovereign rule and the ultimate, irresistible triumph of His eternal kingdom through Jesus Christ. The unstoppable, divinely appointed force described in this verse foreshadows the irresistible advance of God's redemptive and judicial purposes culminating in Christ. Just as the "flood" of judgment was unleashed against those who opposed God's will in the Old Testament, so too does Christ represent the ultimate, unstoppable force of God's redemptive and judicial will throughout history. His first coming, though seemingly humble, was a quiet yet powerful "inundation" of grace, truth, and the very presence of God's kingdom on earth (Mark 1:15). His second coming, however, will be like an overwhelming, glorious "flood" of righteous judgment and ultimate victory, where every knee will bow and every opposing power will be utterly vanquished before Him (Philippians 2:10-11 and Revelation 19:11-16). Furthermore, the imagery of waters being "moved as the rivers" can also be seen in the unstoppable, dynamic spread of the Gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit, a spiritual "river of living water" that flows from Christ, transforming nations and bringing salvation to all who believe (John 7:38 and Acts 1:8). Ultimately, Jeremiah 46:7 points to the overarching truth that God's sovereign plan, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ, is an unstoppable, divine reality that will ultimately bring all things under His benevolent, righteous, and eternal rule.