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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 46:12-28

In these verses we have, I. Confusion and terror spoken to Egypt. The accomplishment of the prediction in the former part of the chapter disabled the Egyptians from making any attempts upon other nations; for what could they do when their army was routed? But still they remained strong at home, and none of their neighbours durst make any attempts upon them. Though the kings of Egypt came no more out of their land (2 Kgs. 24:7), yet they kept safe and easy in their land; and what would they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 46:22

The voice thereof shall go like a serpent ,.... That is, the voice of Egypt, before compared to a heifer, when in its glory; but now it shall not bellow like a heifer in fat pasture, bat hiss like a serpent, when drove out of its hole, and pursued; signifying, that their voice should be low and submissive, and should not speak one big or murmuring word to their conquerors. The voice of the serpent is, by Aristotle F13 Hist. Animal. l. 4. c. 9. said to be small and weak; so Aelianus ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 46:23

They shall cut down her forest, saith the Lord ,.... The land of Egypt, compared to a forest, for the multitude of its cities and towns, and the inhabitants of them; which should be destroyed by the Chaldeans, as a forest is cut down by hewers of wood; the metaphor is here continued. The Targum interprets this of the princes of Egypt, and the destruction of them; though it cannot be searched ; either the forest of Egypt, which was so thick of trees; that is, the land was so full of towns... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 46:22

The voice - shall go like a serpent - See Isaiah 29:4 ; (note), and the note there. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 46:23

They shall cut down her forest - Supposed to mean her cities, of which Egypt had no fewer than one thousand and twenty. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 46:22

Verse 22 To study elegance was not so much the object of the Prophet, as to confirm what he had taught. The figures, then, which he now uses, were not intended as ornaments of speech, but rather for the purpose of giving force and power to what he had said; for, as it has been said, prophecies had no credit with stupid men, unless stimulants were added to them. He says now, that the voice of Egypt would go forth like that of a serpent: some read, “as though it were a serpent;” but I prefer to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 46:23

Verse 23 He goes on here with the same subject. He indeed uses the past tense, but we know that this was commonly done by the Prophets. He compares the people of Egypt to a forest, as he had said that individual men would be like trees: They have then cut down, that is, they shall cut down its forest, saith Jehovah For the sake of confirmation he ascribes the words to God; as though he had said, that he predicted nothing but what God had determined to do. His object then was to remove every... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 46:1-26

The judgment of Egypt. This is twofold, first in the defeat at Carchemish ( Jeremiah 46:1-12 ), and then in a complete overthrow of the kingdom ( Jeremiah 46:13-26 ), which Jeremiah seems to have anticipated immediately after, just as the early Christians connected the destruction of Jerusalem with the expected end of the world. Though this anticipation was not chronologically correct, the essence of the prophecy was ultimately fulfilled. The kingdom of the Pharaohs has passed away. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 46:1-28

(1) verses 3-6; In the first two the great event is described with poetical imagery; in the third, its cause is declared, and the irremediable completeness of its effects. The point of time assumed is immediately before the battle of Carehemish. The Egyptian army has taken up its position by the Euphrates, and Jeremiah, from his prophetic watch tower, recognizes the importance of the step. He knows that a collision of the two great powers is inevitable, and that the fortunes of his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 46:1-28

Judgment going on from the house of God. The former chapters have shown judgment beginning at the house of God. This and the following chapters show that judgment going on. I. JUDGMENT BEGINS AT THE HOUSE OF GOD . This whole life here is more or less a time of trial. God never suffers his Church to be long at ease. But there are especial times of trial, as in persecutions, bereavements, uprisings of the power of sin. And sometimes, as in the former chapters is told, God... read more

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