Jeremiah 46 17

Jeremiah 46:17 kjv

They did cry there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he hath passed the time appointed.

Jeremiah 46:17 nkjv

They cried there, 'Pharaoh, king of Egypt, is but a noise. He has passed by the appointed time!'

Jeremiah 46:17 niv

There they will exclaim, 'Pharaoh king of Egypt is only a loud noise; he has missed his opportunity.'

Jeremiah 46:17 esv

Call the name of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, 'Noisy one who lets the hour go by.'

Jeremiah 46:17 nlt

There they will say,
'Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, is a loudmouth
who missed his opportunity!'

Jeremiah 46 verses

Jeremiah 46 17 Meaning

Jeremiah 46:17 declares a lament or mocking cry, identifying Pharaoh King of Egypt as a mere "noise" or "great bustle" who failed to seize his appointed opportunity. This verse portrays the utter failure and disgrace of Pharaoh Neco II, particularly following the decisive defeat of the Egyptian army by Babylon at the Battle of Carchemish (Jer 46:2). It signifies that despite all his pomp, military might, and the perception of his divine power, Pharaoh proved ineffective and his moment for decisive action passed him by, leading to a catastrophic loss.

Jeremiah 46 17 Context

Jeremiah 46 introduces a series of prophetic oracles against foreign nations, beginning with Egypt. This chapter specifically focuses on the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BC, a pivotal historical event where Pharaoh Neco II of Egypt confronted Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian forces near the Euphrates River. Despite Egyptian confidence and grand preparations detailed in the preceding verses, Jeremiah foresees and recounts their utter rout. Verse 17 occurs amidst this prophetic description of Egypt's military downfall, expressing the scornful realization by onlookers or even the fleeing Egyptians themselves that Pharaoh, once perceived as mighty, was nothing more than empty bluster. It highlights the divine orchestrating of history, turning the might of Egypt into a byword for a lost opportunity and resounding failure. The defeat effectively ended Egypt's attempts to reclaim imperial power in the Levant, firmly establishing Babylonian dominance, all according to God's declared purpose.

Jeremiah 46 17 Word analysis

• They cried there,
  • They: The precise identity of "they" is debated but refers to those witnessing or experiencing Egypt's humiliation. It could be the Babylonians mocking, neutral observers, the remnant of Egypt's defeated army, or perhaps a prophetic voice speaking from the perspective of a future witness.
  • Cried: (Heb. qara' - קָרָא) Not necessarily a cry of pain, but rather a public declaration, shouting, or proclamation, often with derision or lament. It signifies a widely acknowledged statement.
  • There: Refers to the scene of Egypt's defeat, specifically Carchemish, or more broadly, the battlefield where their pride was shattered and their failure exposed.
• 'Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise;
  • Pharaoh king of Egypt: Explicitly names the defeated leader, Pharaoh Neco II. This emphasizes that the judgment is upon the symbol of Egypt's national power and leadership. Pharaohs were considered divine in Egyptian belief, so his defeat has profound implications for their religion and pride.
  • is but a noise; (Heb. sha'on - שָׁאוֹן): This is a crucial term. Sha'on literally means "uproar," "tumult," "roar," "din," or "multitude." Here, it powerfully conveys that Pharaoh, for all his grand display and the vast noise of his army, was ultimately empty, ineffectual, and without lasting substance. His great boasts and preparations were like a loud, empty clamor that produced no real victory or power, only an echo of an impending collapse. It suggests superficiality and a lack of true strength or strategy. This serves as a polemic against the perceived divine power and authority of Pharaoh.
• he has let the appointed time pass by!'
  • he has let... pass by! (Heb. `avar mo`ed - עָבַר מוֹעֵד): `avar means "to pass over, through, or by." This phrase implies missed opportunity and failed action. Pharaoh allowed his crucial moment to slip away.
  • the appointed time: (Heb. mo`ed - מוֹעֵד): A very significant word in the Old Testament, referring to a fixed or appointed time, season, or assembly. Here, it refers to a decisive, critical, or opportune moment for action, specifically in battle. Pharaoh failed to act decisively, wisely, or perhaps to act at all, when he should have. His failure at this divinely ordained moment led to his demise. This can imply that there was a window of opportunity for Pharaoh to succeed or perhaps even avoid total disaster, but he failed to capitalize on it, sealing his fate under God's sovereign hand.

Jeremiah 46 17 Bonus section

The mocking cry in this verse also served as a means of public humiliation and a testament to the comprehensive nature of God's judgment against nations that opposed His will or that Israel might be tempted to rely upon. For the people of Judah, it reinforced Jeremiah's repeated warnings against seeking alliance with Egypt (cf. Jer 42:19) and emphasized the futility of human power and boasting. Pharaoh, once considered a god and controller of the Nile, could not control his own destiny against the decree of the Lord. The specific reference to the "appointed time" suggests that God allows certain periods for nations to act or fulfill their role, but if they miss this mo'ed, particularly when opposing His divine plan, their fate is sealed. This highlights God's sovereign oversight even of the pagan rulers and their historical outcomes.

Jeremiah 46 17 Commentary

Jeremiah 46:17 vividly encapsulates the ignominy of Pharaoh Neco's defeat at Carchemish. The declaration "Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise" mocks his earlier pomp and the illusion of his overwhelming power. Despite commanding a formidable army and making loud, impressive preparations (as alluded to in Jer 46:3-9), his presence on the battlefield amounted to nothing but an empty spectacle. The sha'on or "noise" describes a leader whose great clamor, boasting, and impressive display concealed a fatal lack of decisive action and substance. Furthermore, the stark declaration "he has let the appointed time pass by" underscores Pharaoh's catastrophic strategic blunder or inaction at the critical moment, demonstrating his failure to grasp the providential opportunity, whether it was to win or to withdraw honorably. This profound statement serves not only as a historical commentary on Egypt's downfall but also as a theological assertion: no human king, no matter how powerful or deified, can withstand God's decreed purpose. Pharaoh's perceived divinity and military might were shown to be ultimately meaningless against the true Sovereign, who determines the "appointed times" of nations and rulers.