Jeremiah 46:20

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 46:20

Egypt is like a very fair heifer ,.... Like a heifer that has never been under a yoke, it having never been conquered, and brought under the power of another; and like a beautiful, fat, and well fed one, abounding in wealth and riches, in pleasures and delights, in wantonness and luxury, and fit for slaughter, and ready for it. The Targum is, "Egypt was a beautiful kingdom.' Some think there is an illusion to the gods of Egypt, Apis and Mnevis, which were heifers or oxen, very... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 46:20

Egypt is like a very fair heifer - Fruitful and useful; but destruction cometh out of the north, from Chaldea. It may be that there is an allusion here to Isis, worshipped in Egypt under the form of a beautiful cow. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 46:20

Verse 20 Jeremiah intimates here, that though Egypt indulged in pleasures, it could not yet escape the vengeance of God. We reminded you yesterday why the Prophets mentioned the wealth, the riches, and the power of the ungodly, even because they are blinded by all the good things in which they abound; for they fear nothing, nor feel any anxiety, but through a false notion they exempt themselves from every evil. As, then, the unbelieving are thus presumptuous and proud, the Prophets, on the... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 46:20

Like a very fair heifer. (The insertion of "like" weakens the passage.) The well nourished heifer reminds of the prosperity of the fruitful Nile valley. But destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north; rather, a gadfly from the north hath come upon her (not, "hath come, hath come," as the received text has—a very slight change in one letter is required, supported by the versions). The figure is precisely analogous to that of the "bee in the land of Assyria" ( Isaiah 7:18 ). St.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 46:20

The heifer and the gadfly. "Egypt is a very fair heifer, but a gadfly cometh." I. WORLDLY ADVANTAGES ARE NO SAFEGUARDS AGAINST TROUBLE . The heifer is very fair, yet the gadfly attacks her. Egypt, rich in her fertile Nile valley, the granary of the East; splendid with vast and gorgeous temples, whose ruins are now the wonder of the world; in the forefront of speculation and science; hoary with antiquity, and proud of her aeons of history even in Jeremiah's age—twenty-five... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 46:20-26

A figurative description of the dark future of Egypt. read more

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