Jeremiah 37 6

Jeremiah 37:6 kjv

Then came the word of the LORD unto the prophet Jeremiah saying,

Jeremiah 37:6 nkjv

Then the word of the LORD came to the prophet Jeremiah, saying,

Jeremiah 37:6 niv

Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet:

Jeremiah 37:6 esv

Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet:

Jeremiah 37:6 nlt

Then the LORD gave this message to Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 37 verses

Jeremiah 37 6 Meaning

Jeremiah 37:6 states that the army of Pharaoh Neco, previously a military force that had defeated Josiah and influenced the political landscape of Judah, advanced out of Egypt. This movement of the Egyptian army signaled a critical juncture in the events surrounding the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. It created a complex diplomatic and military situation for Judah, caught between the rising power of Babylon and the established might of Egypt. The verse directly communicates the approach of this significant foreign military power into the region.

Jeremiah 37 6 Context

Jeremiah 37 occurs during the final, devastating siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar. King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, had broken his treaty with Babylon by allying with Egypt. Despite earlier prophecies from Jeremiah warning against such alliances, Zedekiah sought Jeremiah's counsel in his distress. The chapter captures Jeremiah's renewed pronouncements amid the chaos, emphasizing continued divine judgment but also a possibility of reprieve if specific conditions were met (or in this case, if they didn't rely on Pharaoh). The appearance of Pharaoh Neco's army was a direct consequence of Judah's diplomatic maneuvering and a potential hope for the besieged city, which Jeremiah directly addresses in this passage. This intervention was not a divine rescue, but rather a distraction that would ultimately fail and have grave consequences for Judah.

Jeremiah 37 6 Word Analysis

• וְהָיָה (v'hayah): "And it happened" or "And it shall come to pass." A common introductory phrase in Hebrew narrative, signifying continuation or a new development in the unfolding events.

• צְבָא (tzva'): "army." Refers to a host or an organized military force. In this context, it specifies the military power of Egypt.

• פַּרְעֹה (Parʻōh): "Pharaoh." The generic title for the ruler of Egypt. In this specific historical period, it would likely refer to Pharaoh Hophra (Apries) or potentially be used in a broader sense referencing the Egyptian state, though historically Neco had fought in the region earlier. The text here might be a continuation from the historical record of Neco or anticipating Egypt's involvement.

• נְכֹ (Nekō): "Neco." This specific name identifies the Pharaoh. Pharaoh Neco II reigned from 610 to 595 BCE and was a significant figure in the region, famously defeating King Josiah of Judah at Carchemish (though it was en route to Carchemish that he defeated Josiah) and later interfering with Judean politics. The mention of Neco highlights a specific historical antecedent for Egyptian intervention in Judean affairs, suggesting a pattern of Egyptian involvement or potentially an oversight in naming if it was a later Pharaoh involved in Zedekiah's rebellion. The primary intent seems to be referencing Egypt's military presence and its established influence.

• צֵאת (tzeit): "coming out" or "going forth." Indicates the movement and emergence of the Egyptian army from its territory.

• מִמִּצְרָֽיִם (mimmitzrayim): "from Egypt." Specifies the origin of the approaching army, linking it directly to the Egyptian kingdom and its military might.

• צְבָא֙ פַּרְעֹ֔ה נָסֹ֔– (tzva' Par'ōh nasō): "the army of Pharaoh comes forth." This phrase emphasizes the movement and visible advance of the Egyptian military force into the region where Jerusalem was under siege.

Jeremiah 37 6 Bonus Section

The appearance of the Egyptian army during the Babylonian siege was a critical moment that tested Judah's faith and judgment. The Egyptians would indeed march north to confront the Babylonians, causing the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem to be temporarily lifted. However, this reprieve was short-lived. The Egyptians were ultimately defeated by the Babylonians, and subsequently, Nebuchadnezzar returned his attention to Jerusalem, bringing it to its final destruction. Jeremiah’s message highlights that while human circumstances may change, true security and deliverance come from obedience and trust in the Lord alone, not from political or military alliances with earthly powers like Egypt, as reinforced in passages like Isaiah 31:1-3. The phrase "Pharaoh of Neco" is significant because Neco had a historical track record of impacting Judah, and his presence or the presence of an army in his name would have carried substantial political weight and likely spurred misplaced hope among the Judeans who were looking for external help.

Jeremiah 37 6 Commentary

The arrival of Pharaoh's army from Egypt in Jeremiah 37:6 is presented not as good news, but as a complicating factor that momentarily lifts the immediate pressure of the siege, creating a false hope. The mention of Pharaoh Neco grounds the event in historical context, recalling a Pharaoh who had previously exerted power over Judah by defeating its king, Josiah. This suggests a pattern of Egypt's significant, often detrimental, involvement in Judean affairs. Jeremiah’s prophecy here directly addresses this development, warning that this relief is temporary and misleading. The verse functions to inform the people about the military movements while subtly foreshadowing the futility of placing trust in Egypt's intervention, a recurring theme in Jeremiah's prophecies that rebuked Judah for relying on foreign alliances rather than on God.