v1: chapters 46 – 51 bring prophecies about the nations. In is not insignificant that Jeremiah began with Egypt, to where many Jews had fled for safety.

v2-12: Egypt’s defeat at Carchemish, which actually lay north of Judah. Presumably the Egyptian army, and later the few survivors, had passed through or near Judah on their journey. The news of the defeat would have been heard throughout Judah.

Jeremiah portrays the image of the impressive army marching north; soon followed by a terrified, retreating rabble,

v3-6:.Jeremiah uses a phrase, ‘terror on every side,’ which he uses elsewhere; 6.25; 20.4; 49.29. In Is 19.2, the prophet refers to the Egyptians fighting each other, and it seems this was one consequence of their defeat.

Egypt had wanted to expand its territory and influence. But since Babylon was the great power of the day, there was an inevitable showdown. Egypt had hired the help of other African peoples, but had still been defeated (Nah 3.9 refers to this alliance)..

v10-12: Egypt’s plans frustrated; defeat at Carchemish described as a sacrifice at the river Euphrates. This was the day of the Lord’s vengeance upon Egypt.

Jeremiah also brought a message about Egypt being defeated at home, with Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion.

v13: Jeremiah also brought a message about Egypt being defeated at home, with Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion. Nebuchadnezzar followed his victory by an invasion of Egypt, as he continued his conquest of the whole region.

v14-17: Jeremiah’s words to the Jewish fugitives who had moved to Tahpanhes are confirmed here. That would be one of a number of cities attacked by the Babylonians. The fugitives would begin to realise their folly in moving to Egypt, for they had left their own people and their own native lands in disobedience to the word of God..

v18-24: Egypt had grown wealthy, and had even hired mercenaries to help defend her cities. But all here efforts would prove vain; laid waste, ruins without inhabitant, day of disaster, put to shame, and handed over to the Babylonians, the people of the north. The image is of cattle being attacked by flies.

v25-26: The Egyptians had relied on their idols. Such reliance proved useless. Yet God speaks to Egypt about her future. Egypt had brown proud, thinking herself impregnable, and her is brought low.

v27-28: God’s special relationship with His people brought promises of mercy. Israel would be punished and preserved; such punishment was also corrective (30.11), as His people began to learn His ways. The captivity of a few in Egypt was a prefigure of the “time of Jacob’s trouble.”