Jeremiah 46:13-26

The word. See on v. 1. This verse is written in prose. Verses 3-12, 14-24, and 27, 28 are in poetic form. Verse 13 introduces a new section of the prophetic message, a forecast of Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion of Egypt.

Should come. Because of lack of positive historical confirmation, many scholars have doubted that the predicted invasion of Egypt by the Babylonians described here and in Jer. 43:8-13; 44:30; Eze. 29:1-20 actually took place. Josephus states that “in the fifth year after the sacking of Jerusalem, which was the twenty-third year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar ... invaded Egypt in order to subdue it, and, having killed the king who was then reigning and appointed another, he again took captive the Jews who were in the country and carried them to Babylon” (Antiquities x. 9. 7). That this statement by Josephus cannot be entirely depended upon is evident from the fact that Apries was the king of Egypt from 589 to 570 B.C. and so was not killed by Nebuchadnezzar in the latter’s 23d year (582 B.C.). There is, moreover, no contemporary evidence that Egypt was invaded at that time. Some historians previously interpreted an inscription of one Nesuhor, governor of Elephantine under Apries, as indicating that Nebuchadnezzar invaded Egypt and penetrated as far south as Assuan (also written Aswan). But subsequent study has shown that the inscription in question was misinterpreted and that it applies rather to a mutiny by Greek and Asiatic mercenaries in Upper Egypt.

There is, however, a fragmentary Babylonian tablet dated in the 37th year of Nebuchadnezzar (568 B.C.) that speaks of a conflict between Nebuchadnezzar and Amasis of Egypt. Although it is impossible to determine the details of this invasion, the fact that it came not long after Amasis overthrew his predecessor, Apries, would seem to indicate that Nebuchadnezzar saw in the civil war then raging in Egypt an opportunity to conquer that weakened country and add it to his empire. This event may also be the correct setting of Josephus’ narrative (see previous paragraph). Ezekiel’s prophecy (ch. 29:17-20) of a Babylonian conquest, given in the “seven and twentieth year” (571 or 570 B.C.), adds further probability to an invasion about this time. Secular history is silent as to the extent of the success of this Babylonian invasion. There may have been more than one campaign, but it is thought by some that this campaign is the one described here by Jeremiah.

Some have suggested that Jeremiah may have been an eyewitness of the events described in ch. 46:13-26. In such an event Jeremiah would have been an old man. This invasion of 568/67 B.C. came about 60 years after he had begun to prophesy in 628/27 or 627/26 B.C.