Jeremiah 46:8 Meaning and Explanation
“Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Egypt claims it will rise up and overcome all obstacles, but this assertion leads to defeat.
The Context of Jeremiah 46:8
Egypt's boastful declaration of its intention to conquer.
What Does Jeremiah 46:8 Mean?
Pharaoh boasts that Egypt will rise like a flood and overcome everything in its path. The pronoun shift—'he saith'—reveals Pharaoh's confident declaration: 'I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof.' This is a statement of supreme confidence and aggressive intent, reflecting the pride of a powerful nation at the height of its assertion.
Yet Jeremiah has already shown in verse 5 that this confidence is misplaced. Egypt's own rising becomes an ironic prelude to its fall. The prophecy juxtaposes Egypt's self-confident words with the reality of its impending humiliation. What Pharaoh claims he will do to others will be done to him instead.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 46:8
What does Jeremiah 46:8 mean?
Egypt claims it will rise up and overcome all obstacles, but this assertion leads to defeat.
What is the context of Jeremiah 46:8?
Egypt's boastful declaration of its intention to conquer.