John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 43:11

"And he shall come, and shall smite the land of Egypt; such as are for death [shall be given] to death, and such as are for captivity to captivity, and such as are for the sword to the sword." — Jeremiah 43:11 (ASV)

He confirms the former verse by what he says here and in the two following verses to the end of the chapter. Since Egypt had cities well fortified and deemed impregnable, the Jews never thought that the Chaldeans could so easily penetrate them. For, first, that country is situated on a plain; and, secondly, in the midst of lakes; and it is partly surrounded by the Nile and the Red Sea. Since, then, Egypt was so well fortified on every side, they thought that they would find a quiet nest there. But God declares that King Nebuchadnezzar would become the conqueror of the whole land, and he removes all objections when he says:

Those for death, to death; those for captivity, to captivity; those for the sword, to the sword; as though he had said, “Even if Egypt were very populous, the immense multitude of people would still accomplish nothing, for they will be conquered by their enemy. Some will perish by the sword, some by various kinds of death, and some will be driven into exile; and Egypt will be destroyed, as though no one stood up in its defense.” We therefore see that this was added so that the Prophet might shake off the false confidence of the Jews. The two following verses serve the same purpose.