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Jeremiah 46:15

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 46:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Why are thy strong ones swept away? they stood not, because Jehovah did drive them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Why are thy strong ones swept away? they stood not, because Jehovah did drive them.
Jeremiah 46:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 46

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12The nations have heard of thy shame, and the earth is full of thy cry; for the mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty, they are fallen both of them together.
13The word that Jehovah spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come and smite the land of Egypt.
14Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Memphis and in Tahpanhes: say ye, Stand forth, and prepare thee; for the sword hath devoured round about thee.
15Why are thy strong ones swept away? they stood not, because Jehovah did drive them.
16He made many to stumble, yea, they fell one upon another: and they said, Arise, and let us go again to our own people, and to the land of our nativity, from the oppressing sword.
17They cried there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he hath let the appointed time pass by.
18As I live, saith the King, whose name is Jehovah of hosts, surely like Tabor among the mountains, and like Carmel by the sea, so shall he come.
← Jeremiah 46:14Jeremiah 46:16 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Why are thy valiant [men] swept away? etc.] As with a mighty torrent, or a sweeping rain; so the word is used in (<202803>Proverbs 28:3); to which the Chaldean army may be compared; which came with such irresistible force as to drive the Egyptians from their posts, so that they could not stand their ground. The Septuagint renders it, “why does Apis flee from thee? thy choice ox does not continue.” Which was the god of the Egyptians, they worshipped in the form of an ox; this could not protect them, though thought by them to be very mighty and powerful; so Aelianusf826 says Apis with the Egyptians is believed to be a most powerful deity; yet could not save them; but the word signifies their…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“thy valiant men--manuscripts, the Septuagint, and Vulgate read, "thy valiant one," Apis, the bull-shaped Egyptian idol worshipped at Noph or Memphis. The contrast thus is between the palpable impotence of the idol and the might attributed to it by the worshippers. The Hebrew term, "strong," or "valiant," is applied to bulls (Psa 22:12). Cambyses in his invasion of Egypt destroyed the sacred bull. drive them--(Compare Jer 46:5). The Hebrew word is used of a sweeping rain (Pro 28:3).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Translate it: “Why is thy mighty one cast down? He stood not, because Yahweh thrust him down.” The “mighty one” is explained by the Septuagint to be the bull Apis. Thus: (1) the chief deity of Egypt Jeremiah 46:15; (2) the army of mercenaries Jeremiah 46:16; (3) the king, Pharaoh Jeremiah 46:17, are the three upon whom the Egyptians trusted. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“46:15-17 The Lord filled the Egyptian soldiers with fear, and no one could keep them in military order as they fled from Carchemish through Canaan to their Egyptian homes. Back in Egypt, they would become strong critics of Pharaoh Neco and say that he was a loudmouth.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“thy: Jer 46:5, Jer 46:21; Jdg 5:20, Jdg 5:21; Isa 66:15, Isa 66:16 the Lord: Exo 6:1; Deu 11:23; Psa 18:14, Psa 18:39, Psa 44:2, Psa 68:2, Psa 114:2-7 Jeremiah 46:16”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 46 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification