What does Jeremiah 46:18 mean?
"As I live, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts, Surely as Tabor is among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he come." - Jeremiah 46:18
In Jeremiah 46:18, the King James Version of the Bible reads, "As I live, saith the King, whose name is the Lord of hosts, Surely as Tabor is among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he come." This verse is part of a larger passage in which the prophet Jeremiah delivers a message from God to the people of Egypt, warning them of the impending invasion and destruction of their land by the Babylonians.
The verse begins with the declaration, "As I live, saith the King, whose name is the Lord of hosts," which emphasizes the authority and sovereignty of the speaker, who is none other than the Lord of hosts, or the Lord of armies. This introduction serves to underscore the seriousness and certainty of the message that follows. It is a reminder that the words being spoken are not just the words of a prophet, but the very words of the Almighty God.
The verse then goes on to make a powerful comparison, stating, "Surely as Tabor is among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he come." This comparison draws upon the imagery of two prominent mountains in the region to convey the certainty and unstoppable nature of the impending invasion by the Babylonians. Tabor, located in the northern region of Israel, and Carmel, which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea, are both well-known for their grandeur and prominence. The comparison is meant to convey the inevitability and forcefulness of the Babylonian army as it sweeps through the region, much like these mountains stand out in their respective landscapes.
The use of such powerful imagery serves to drive home the message of God's judgment and the unyielding nature of His decree. It is a stark reminder to the people of Egypt that they cannot escape the consequences of their actions and that the Babylonians will come upon them with the same force and certainty as these majestic mountains.
In a broader context, this verse reflects the recurring theme of divine judgment found throughout the Bible. The story of the Israelites and their interactions with neighboring nations, as recorded in the Old Testament, often serves as a backdrop for the exploration of God's justice and the consequences of disobedience. In the case of Jeremiah 46:18, the people of Egypt are being warned of the impending destruction that will befall them due to their pride, arrogance, and reliance on their own strength rather than trusting in God.
Furthermore, the symbolism of Tabor and Carmel in this verse also serves to highlight the contrast between the power and permanence of God versus the transitory nature of human strength and pride. The mountains stand as enduring, unchanging features of the landscape, while human empires rise and fall, their strength fleeting in comparison to the eternal majesty of God.
Overall, Jeremiah 46:18 conveys a powerful message of divine judgment, warning the people of Egypt that their pride and self-sufficiency will not protect them from the looming threat of invasion and destruction. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and trusting in human strength and wisdom. The use of vivid imagery and solemn declarations underscores the seriousness of the message and reinforces the overarching theme of God's sovereignty and justice.
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Jeremiah 46:18 Artwork
Jeremiah 46:18 - "As I live, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts, Surely as Tabor is among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he come."
Jeremiah 46:18 (KJVA) 18 As I live, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts, Surely as Tabor is among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he come.
"As I live, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts, Surely as Tabor is among the mountains, and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he come." - Jeremiah 46:18
Jeremiah 46:1 - "The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles;"
Jeremiah 46:13 - "¶ The word that the LORD spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come and smite the land of Egypt."
Jeremiah 46:3 - "Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle."
Jeremiah 46:20 - "Egypt is like a very fair heifer, but destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north."
Jeremiah 46:7 - "Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?"
Jeremiah 50:46 - "At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations."
Jeremiah 46:15 - "Why are thy valiant men swept away? they stood not, because the LORD did drive them."
"The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles;" - Jeremiah 46:1
Jeremiah 46:24 - "The daughter of Egypt shall be confounded; she shall be delivered into the hand of the people of the north."
Jeremiah 46:17 - "They did cry there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he hath passed the time appointed."
Jeremiah 48:46 - "Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives."
Jeremiah 46:22 - "The voice thereof shall go like a serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood."
Jeremiah 46:19 - "O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity: for Noph shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitant."
Jeremiah 46:23 - "They shall cut down her forest, saith the LORD, though it cannot be searched; because they are more than the grasshoppers, and are innumerable."
Psalms 18:46 - "The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted."
1 Kings 18:46 - "And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel."
Jeremiah 46:4 - "Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the brigandines."
Genesis 46:18 - "These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob, even sixteen souls."
Jeremiah 46:6 - "Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates."
"Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle." - Jeremiah 46:3
"¶ The word that the LORD spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come and smite the land of Egypt." - Jeremiah 46:13
Jeremiah 46:14 - "Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph and in Tahpanhes: say ye, Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee."
Jeremiah 46:11 - "Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured."
"Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?" - Jeremiah 46:7
Jeremiah 18:1 - "The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,"
Jeremiah 46:5 - "Wherefore have I seen them dismayed and turned away back? and their mighty ones are beaten down, and are fled apace, and look not back: for fear was round about, saith the LORD."
Jeremiah 46:8 - "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."