Jeremiah 46:25

The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings; even Pharaoh, and [all] them that trust in him:

The LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, the God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, saith {H559}; Behold, I will punish {H6485} the multitude {H527}{H528} of No {H4996}, and Pharaoh {H6547}, and Egypt {H4714}, with their gods {H430}, and their kings {H4428}; even Pharaoh {H6547}, and all them that trust {H982} in him:

ADONAI-Tzva'ot, the God of Isra'el, says: "I will punish Amon from No, Pharaoh, and Egypt with her gods and kings - that is, Pharaoh and those who trust in him;

The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I am about to punish Amon god of Thebes, along with Pharaoh, Egypt with her gods and kings, and those who trust in Pharaoh.

Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, saith: Behold, I will punish Amon of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with her gods, and her kings; even Pharaoh, and them that trust in him:

Commentary

Jeremiah 46:25 delivers a powerful declaration of divine judgment against ancient Egypt, its rulers, and its false gods. This verse is part of a larger prophetic message from God through the prophet Jeremiah, specifically directed at the nations surrounding Israel.

Context

This verse is found within Jeremiah's prophecies concerning various foreign nations, particularly Jeremiah chapter 46, which is dedicated to the judgment of Egypt. At this historical juncture, Egypt was a formidable world power, often a point of reliance (or temptation to rely upon) for Judah against the rising threat of Babylon. However, God consistently warned His people against trusting in human alliances or military might. The specific mention of "No" refers to the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes (or No-Amon), a significant religious and political center in Upper Egypt, renowned for its temples dedicated to the god Amon-Ra and its immense wealth. By targeting "No" and Pharaoh, God underscores that no aspect of Egyptian power—neither its capital, its king, nor its pantheon of gods—is beyond His reach.

Key Themes

  • God's Sovereign Judgment: The declaration "The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish" emphatically asserts God's absolute authority over all nations and their rulers. This is not merely a political defeat but a divine reckoning, showcasing God's control over world events, even those involving powerful empires like Egypt. This theme resonates with Daniel 4:17, which states that "the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men."
  • Futility of Idolatry: A central point of judgment is against Egypt's "gods." The verse highlights the impotence of these false deities in the face of the one true God. The punishment extends to "Pharaoh, and all them that trust in him," underscoring the spiritual danger of placing confidence in human strength, political alliances, or false gods instead of the Lord.
  • Vindication of God's Name: By executing judgment on Egypt, its kings, and its gods, the Lord of hosts demonstrates His unique power and vindicates His name as the true "God of Israel." This act serves as a powerful reminder that only the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is worthy of ultimate trust and worship.

Linguistic Insights

The name "No" (Hebrew: נֹא, Noʾ) is consistently identified with Thebes, the ancient capital of Upper Egypt. Its inclusion emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, targeting the very heart of Egyptian power and religious devotion. The phrase "the multitude of No" (הֲמוֹן נֹא, hamon Noʾ) can refer to its populousness, its wealth, its throngs of people, or even its powerful military force, signifying that no aspect of Thebes' strength would escape divine wrath.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 46:25 serves as a timeless reminder that all human power, military might, and even cherished ideologies or false gods are ultimately subject to the sovereign will of the Almighty God. For believers today, this verse reinforces the critical importance of placing our trust solely in the Lord, rather than in worldly systems, political leaders, financial security, or personal abilities. It calls us to examine where our ultimate confidence lies and to recognize that true security and salvation are found only in God. The judgment on Egypt's idols also teaches us the futility of anything we elevate above God in our lives, whether it be possessions, careers, or even relationships, as these too are ultimately powerless before His divine authority.

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 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

  • Zephaniah 2:11 (3 votes)

    The LORD [will be] terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and [men] shall worship him, every one from his place, [even] all the isles of the heathen.

  • Isaiah 20:5 (3 votes)

    And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.

  • Isaiah 20:6 (3 votes)

    And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such [is] our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape?

  • Exodus 12:12 (3 votes)

    For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I [am] the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 43:12 (3 votes)

    And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace.

  • Jeremiah 43:13 (3 votes)

    He shall break also the images of Bethshemesh, that [is] in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians shall he burn with fire.

  • Jeremiah 42:14 (2 votes)

    Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell: