Jeremiah 46:2 Meaning and Explanation
“Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The prophecy concerns Egypt's defeat at Carchemish by Babylon's king Nebuchadrezzar.
The Context of Jeremiah 46:2
The specific historical battle that triggered Egypt's decline and the subject of Jeremiah's prophecy.
What Does Jeremiah 46:2 Mean?
This verse anchors the prophecy in a specific historical moment: the battle of Carchemish in 605 BCE, when Egypt's Pharaoh Necho II was decisively defeated by Babylon's Nebuchadrezzar II. The battle occurred during Judah's fourth year under King Jehoiakim, a time of upheaval. This dating grounds Jeremiah's prophecy in real geopolitical events, confirming his knowledge of distant military outcomes.
Egypt's defeat at Carchemish marked a turning point in ancient Near Eastern power. Babylon's victory ended Egyptian influence in the Levant and secured its dominance. Jeremiah's prediction of this event underscores divine knowledge of nations' fates and the futility of resistance against the Lord's purposes.
Jeremiah 46:2 in the Original Language
Carchemish (כַּרְכְּמִישׁ) — a strategic city on the Euphrates; its fall signified the shift of regional power from Egypt to Babylon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 46:2
What does Jeremiah 46:2 mean?
The prophecy concerns Egypt's defeat at Carchemish by Babylon's king Nebuchadrezzar.
What is the context of Jeremiah 46:2?
The specific historical battle that triggered Egypt's decline and the subject of Jeremiah's prophecy.