Jeremiah 46:17

Cry there. A slight change in vowel pointing permits the translation, “Call the name of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, ‘Noisy one’” (RSV).

Pharaoh. An Egyptian royal title rather than the proper name of the king (see on Gen. 12:15). It is not clear which ruler is here referred to. The LXX identifies him as Necho, but this translation is clearly interpretative.

He hath passed the time appointed. Or, “he has let the appointed time pass by.” The scarcity of historical information regarding the war that Jeremiah here describes (see on v. 13) makes it impossible to know whether or not this statement refers to some slackness on the part of Pharaoh in joining battle with the Babylonians when it might have been to his advantage.

There may be a reference here to the passing of the day of opportunity for the Egyptian nation. Every nation has been permitted to occupy its place to determine whether it will fulfill the divine purpose. When a nation fails, its glory departs (PK 535; see on Dan. 4:17).