HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

JEREMIAS 46

CHAPTER XLVI.

Ver. 1. Gentiles, to whom Jeremias was sent. C. i. 5. What follows regards them, (C.) if we except the last chapter. H. --- It was thought proper to place these predictions here, though out of their chronological order, to which the Sept. have more adhered, placing them after C. xxv. C. --- The punishment of the chief enemies of the Jews is foretold. W.

Ver. 2. Nechao. He slew Josias, and took all as far as Charcamis. 4 K. xxiii. Four years after Nabopolasser associated his son, and sent him to conquer these countries, which he effected. 4 K. xxiv. 7. Jos.

Ver. 3. Prepare Egyptians, the enemy is at hand. C.

Ver. 5. Seen. The prophets usually speak as if things were already past. W.

Ver. 6. Away. It will be in vain. C. --- Nechao went to defend Charcamis, but lost "many myriads in the battle," and all the country "as far as Pelusium, except Judea." Joseph. x. 7.

Ver. 7. Rivers. He alludes to the Nile. The king of Egypt had a numerous army.

Ver. 8. City; Babylon, and every fort which shall oppose my progress. C.

Ver. 9. Men. Soldiers formed one of the principal classes among the Egyptians. Herod. ii. 164. --- Ethiopians. Heb. "Cush," in Lower Egypt, on the Red Sea. --- Lybians. Heb. "Phut, another son of Cham, inhabiting the Nome Phtenethu." Ezec. xxx. 5. Nah. iii. 2. --- Lydians. Their situation is not known.

Ver. 10. Devour. It seems animated, and eager to slay the victim. Ezec. xxxix. 17.

Ver. 11. Of Egypt; or ye Egyptians, who have been wounded. The balm (H.) or resina of Galaad was then very famous. Gen. xxxvii. 25. C. --- Egypt thought itself invulnerable, and is derided. Its cures was hopeless. v. 16. W.

Ver. 13. Egypt, under Apries, about thirty-five years after the former expedition. C. xliv. 30. Ezec. xxix. and xxxi. This country was invaded the last. v. 14.

Ver. 15. Men. Lit. "man." Heb. abir, (H.) where Apis has been perhaps formed. C. --- Sept. "Why has Apis (Comp. omits this word) fled from thee? thy calf, thy chosen one has not remained." H. --- He derides the chief idol of Egypt; or he alludes to those who fell at Charcamis, or rather who fled after they had come out to assist Sedecias. C. xxxvii. 5. Ezec. xxx. 21.

Ver. 16. Dove. Heb. also, "of the destroyer." Sept. "Greeks," or Ionians. C. --- See C. xxv. 35. Ch. --- Nebuchodonosor came with expedition, or had a dove on his standards. M.

Ver. 17. Pharao. Sept. add, "Nechao." But Apries seems rather to be meant. C. --- A. Heb. shaon hehebir hamohed. Prot. "is but a noise, he hath passed the time appointed;" (H.) or, "the height which the crowd (or God, who raised) hath displaced." C. --- Sept. retain the original: but the middle word varies in their copies. H. --- All the boasts of Pharao ended in smoke. He lost the proper opportunity, and caused his own kingdom to be laid waste. Syr. "the disturber, who deranges the times." C.

Ver. 18. He, the destroyer; (v. 16.) or "it," my word (H.) shall surely stand as long as the mountains, (C.) yea, longer than heaven and earth. H. --- My decrees shall be put in execution in spite of the efforts of man. C.

Ver. 19. Furnish. Lit. "make thyself vessels of captivity," or pack up what thou mayst want there. H. Ezec. xii. 3. and xxix. 11. --- Many returned under Cyrus. v. 26.

Ver. 20. Goad her. Nabuchodonosor shall subdue the country.

Ver. 21. Hirelings. Apries had thirty thousand Carians, &c. who were defeated by Amasis. Herod. ii. 163.

Ver. 22. Brass. Sept. "hissing serpent;" lamenting in secret. Is. xxix. 4. --- Wood. Battle-axes were then used. Great cities and monarchs shall fall. Zac. xi. 2. Ezec. xxxi. 3. C.

Ver. 23. Above, or "more than locusts," (H.) which destroy all herbs where they light.

Ver. 25. Visit upon. That is, punish. --- Alexandria. In the Heb. No; which was the ancient name of the city, to which Alexander gave afterwards the name of Alexandria; (Ch.) or this city was built near Rachotes, the harbour. "Ammon of No" was rather Diospolis, (Ezec. xxx. 14. Sept.) in the Delta, north of Busiris. Ammon was the chief god adored at No. Nah. iii. 8. Sept. Alex. "I will revenge myself on Ammon, her son, on Egypt, or Pharao, and on them." H. --- Ammon was of their invention, and for this the people were justly punished. It means also, "a multitude." --- Kings. C. xlii. 12. Apries was slain, (C. xliv. 33. C.) and his two successors perished miserably by sentence of Cambyses. Herod. iii. 14. and 16.

Ver. 26. Afterwards, forty years being expired (Ezec. xxix. 14.) from the time when Apries made his unsuccessful attack on Cyrene, and his subjects revolted.

Ver. 27. Off from all countries, (C.) particularly from Egypt; (H.) on occasion of which country's deliverance, that of Jacob is foretold. C. --- If God would bring the Egyptians back, much more would he deliver the Jews. W.

Ver. 28. Nations of Assyria, Chaldea, &c. C. xxx. 11. C.