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Jeremiah 46:19

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O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity: for Noph shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitant.

O thou daughter {H1323} dwelling {H3427} in Egypt {H4714}, furnish {H6213} thyself to go into captivity {H3627}{H1473}: for Noph {H5297} shall be waste {H8047} and desolate {H3341} without an inhabitant {H3427}.

"Daughter living in Egypt, prepare what you need for exile; for Nof will become a ruin, laid waste, without inhabitant.

Pack your bags for exile, O daughter dwelling in Egypt! For Memphis will be laid waste, destroyed and uninhabited.

O thou daughter that dwellest in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity; for Memphis shall become a desolation, and shall be burnt up, without inhabitant.

Commentary

Jeremiah 46:19 is a stark prophetic declaration of impending judgment upon Egypt, delivered through the prophet Jeremiah. It speaks directly to "the daughter dwelling in Egypt," personifying the nation or its people, commanding them to prepare for an inevitable captivity. The reason for this dire fate is given immediately: Noph (Memphis), a significant Egyptian city, will be utterly destroyed and depopulated.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is part of a larger section in the book of Jeremiah (chapters 46-51) containing prophecies against various foreign nations. These prophecies demonstrate God's universal sovereignty and His power to judge even the most formidable empires. Egypt was a powerful and ancient civilization, often a rival or unreliable ally to Judah. The prophecy in Jeremiah 46 specifically foretells the coming of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, as God's instrument of judgment against Egypt, a theme also alluded to in Jeremiah 46:13. Noph, known historically as Memphis, was one of Egypt's most ancient and prominent cities, serving as a political and religious capital. Its prophesied destruction underscores the totality and severity of the impending divine judgment.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Inevitable Judgment: The verse powerfully illustrates God's absolute control over all nations and their destinies. The ironic command to "furnish thyself to go into captivity" emphasizes the certainty and inevitability of Egypt's downfall, regardless of its perceived strength or historical prominence. This theme resonates with other prophecies concerning God's judgment against proud nations, such as the burden against Egypt described in Isaiah 19:1.
  • Consequences of Pride and False Security: Egypt, relying on its wealth, military might, and idolatrous practices, is shown to be utterly vulnerable before God's decree. The destruction of Noph, a symbol of Egyptian power and stability, highlights that no human stronghold or self-reliance can ultimately stand against divine purpose.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Noph" (Hebrew: נֹף, Nof) is the biblical name for the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis, which was a vital center of power, trade, and religious worship, particularly for the god Ptah. Its specific mention indicates the precision of the prophecy.
  • The phrase "waste and desolate" (Hebrew: שְׁמָמָה וְחָרְבָּה, shemamah v'chorbah) uses strong, emphatic terms to convey utter ruin, destruction, and complete depopulation, signifying the severity and totality of the judgment.

Practical Application

This ancient prophecy serves as a timeless reminder that God is sovereign over all earthly powers and nations. No human empire, political system, or individual can ultimately escape His justice or thwart His divine plans. It calls for humility and a recognition that true security comes not from worldly might, accumulated wealth, or self-reliance, but from dependence on God.

Just as ancient Egypt faced consequences for its pride and opposition to God's will, so too are nations and individuals today called to heed divine warnings and pursue righteousness. The fulfillment of such precise prophecies reinforces the trustworthiness of God's Word and His ultimate control over history, offering both a sober warning and a comforting assurance to those who trust in Him, knowing that the counsel of the Lord stands forever.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 20:4 (5 votes)

    So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with [their] buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

  • Jeremiah 48:18 (4 votes)

    Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from [thy] glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, [and] he shall destroy thy strong holds.

  • Ezekiel 30:13 (3 votes)

    Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause [their] images to cease out of Noph; and there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt: and I will put a fear in the land of Egypt.

  • Jeremiah 44:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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 26:9 (2 votes)

    Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.

  • Zephaniah 2:5 (2 votes)

    Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD [is] against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.

  • Jeremiah 34:22 (2 votes)

    Behold, I will command, saith the LORD, and cause them to return to this city; and they shall fight against it, and take it, and burn it with fire: and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without an inhabitant.