Chapter Overview
Summary
Oracle against Egypt. In MT this is the FIRST Oracle Against the Nations (ch. 46). In LXX, the Egypt oracle is the SECOND OAN and appears as LXX ch. 26 (after Elam), located after LXX 25:13.
Notable Variants
LXX is shorter in several verses. The oracle content is substantially similar but the POSITION differs dramatically. LXX places Egypt second (after Elam); MT places it first.
Structural Notes
MT ch. 46 = LXX ch. 26. LXX OAN order: (1) Elam, (2) EGYPT, (3) Babylon, (4) Philistia, (5) Edom, (6) Ammon, (7) Kedar/Hazor, (8) Damascus, (9) Moab. MT OAN order: (1) EGYPT, (2) Philistia, (3) Moab, (4) Ammon, (5) Edom, (6) Damascus, (7) Kedar/Hazor, (8) Elam, (9) Babylon.
The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Concerning Egypt — concerning the army of Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt, which was at the Euphrates River at Carchemish, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah:
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Prepare the small shield and the large shield, and advance to battle!
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Harness the horses! Mount up, horsemen! Take your positions in helmets! Polish the spears! Put on the armor!
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Why do I see them terrified, falling back? Their warriors are crushed, fleeing headlong without looking back. Terror on every side! — declares the LORD.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
The swift cannot flee, the warrior cannot escape. In the north, by the Euphrates River, they stumble and fall.
Masoretic (WLC)
אַל־יָנוּס הַקַּל וְאַל־יִמָּלֵט הַגִּבּוֹר
Septuagint (LXX)
μὴ φευγέτω ὁ κοῦφος καὶ μὴ ἀνασωζέσθω ὁ ἰσχυρός
LXX slightly shorter — minor omissions in the battle description.
Who is this rising like the Nile, whose waters surge like rivers?
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Egypt rises like the Nile, its waters surging like rivers. It says, 'I will rise and cover the earth! I will destroy the city and everyone in it!'
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Charge, horses! Drive wildly, chariots! Let the warriors march out — Cush and Put, who carry the shield, and the Ludim, who handle and draw the bow.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
That day belongs to the Lord GOD of Hosts — a day of vengeance, to avenge himself on his foes. The sword will devour and be satisfied, drunk with their blood. For the Lord GOD of Hosts holds a sacrifice in the land of the north, by the Euphrates River.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Go up to Gilead and get balm, virgin daughter of Egypt! In vain you multiply remedies — there is no healing for you.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
The nations have heard of your disgrace; your cry fills the earth. Warrior stumbles over warrior — both have fallen together.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
The word that the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to strike the land of Egypt:
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Announce in Egypt! Proclaim in Migdol! Proclaim in Memphis and in Tahpanhes! Say: Take your stand and prepare yourself, for the sword devours all around you.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Why are your mighty ones swept away? They do not stand, because the LORD has thrust them down.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
He multiplies the stumbling; they fall over one another. They say, 'Get up! Let us return to our own people, to the land where we were born, away from the oppressing sword!'
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
They cried out there: 'Pharaoh king of Egypt — Big Noise Who Missed His Moment!'
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
As I live — declares the King, whose name is the LORD of Hosts — as surely as Tabor stands among the mountains and Carmel rises above the sea, so he will come.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Pack your bags for exile, daughter dwelling in Egypt! For Memphis will become a wasteland, burned and emptied of inhabitants.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Egypt is a beautiful heifer, but a biting fly from the north is coming — it is coming!
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Even her hired soldiers in her midst are like fattened calves — they too have turned and fled together; they did not stand. For the day of their calamity has come upon them, the time of their reckoning.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Her voice hisses away like a snake, for they advance with force. They come against her with axes, like woodcutters.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
They will cut down her forest — declares the LORD — though it is impenetrable, for they are more numerous than locusts; they are beyond counting.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Daughter Egypt is put to shame; she is handed over to the people of the north.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: I am about to punish Amon of Thebes, and Pharaoh, and Egypt — her gods, her kings, Pharaoh, and all who trust in him.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
I will hand them over to those who seek their lives, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his servants. But afterward, Egypt will be inhabited as in former days — declares the LORD.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
But you — do not be afraid, my servant Jacob, and do not be dismayed, Israel. For I am about to save you from far away, your descendants from the land of their captivity. Jacob will return and be at rest, at ease, with no one to cause terror.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Do not be afraid, my servant Jacob — declares the LORD — for I am with you. I will make a complete end of all the nations where I have driven you, but I will not make a complete end of you. I will discipline you justly, but I will certainly not leave you unpunished.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.