Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 46
Albert Barnes Commentary
Jeremiah 46
Albert Barnes Commentary
Jeremiah 46
"The word of Jehovah which came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations." — Jeremiah 46:1 (ASV)
Against the Gentiles - Or, concerning the nations Jer. 46–49:33.
"Of Egypt: concerning the army of Pharaoh-neco 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." — Jeremiah 46:2 (ASV)
Against ... - That is, relating to, concerning. So Jeremiah 48:1; Jeremiah 49:1; see the note at Jeremiah 46:13.
Pharaoh-necho - See the note at 2 Kings 23:29.
In - (at) Carchemish - (The Gargamis of the inscriptions, now Jerabis, on the Euphrates, about 16 miles south of Birejik.)
"Prepare ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle." — Jeremiah 46:3 (ASV)
Order ye ... - “ i. e., prepare you, make ready.” The buckler was a small round target carried by the lightly-armed troops: the shield belonged to the heavily-armed troops, and was large enough to protect the whole body.
"Harness the horses, and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, put on the coats of mail." — Jeremiah 46:4 (ASV)
From the infantry, the prophet proceeds to the chariots, in which the Egyptians placed great confidence.
Get up, ye horsemen — Or, “mount the steeds.”
Furbish — that is, polish, sharpen.
Brigandines — In old times, a brigand meant a soldier, and we still call a division of an army a brigade, and a commander a brigadier, that is, a brigandier, or captain of brigands. Similarly, a brigandine means a soldier’s equipment and is used here for a coat of mail.
"Wherefore have I seen it? they are dismayed and are turned backward; and their mighty ones are beaten down, and are fled apace, and look not back: terror is on every side, saith Jehovah." — Jeremiah 46:5 (ASV)
Literally, “Why have I seen? They are terror-stricken! they are giving way back!” The Egyptian army feels that the battle is lost. Overwhelmed by the enemy, it loses heart. In despair, yet not without a struggle, it gives way. It is remarkable that while Jeremiah, in his warning addressed to Jerusalem, uses the most simple and unadorned prose, his language concerning the Gentile nations is, on the contrary, full of brilliant poetry.
Do not look back—do not turn back. They do not stop and make no attempt to rally.
Fear was round about—the prophet's watchword, Magor-missabib .
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