What does Jeremiah 46:6 mean?
"Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates." - Jeremiah 46:6

Jeremiah 46:6 in the King James Version of the Bible states, "Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates." This verse is part of a prophecy pronounced by the prophet Jeremiah against Egypt. It is a warning about the impending destruction and downfall of Egypt due to the conquests of the Babylonian empire.
This verse is part of a larger section in the book of Jeremiah in which the prophet delivers prophecies against the nations. The overarching theme of this section is the judgment of God on the nations for their sins. In the case of Egypt, their pride, idolatry, and reliance on military might are cited as reasons for their impending destruction.
In this particular verse, the imagery of the swift and the mighty fleeing away, stumbling, and falling toward the north by the river Euphrates is a powerful depiction of the utter defeat and humiliation that Egypt would experience. The swift and mighty are often seen as symbols of strength and power, yet they are unable to escape the judgment of God. This serves as a reminder that no human power or ability can thwart the purposes of God.
The river Euphrates, which serves as the northern border of Egypt, is also significant in this prophecy. Historically, the Euphrates river was a boundary between nations and symbolized the limits of human strength and control. The mention of the river Euphrates may also carry a symbolic meaning, as it is closely associated with ancient Babylon, the empire that would bring about the downfall of Egypt.
Furthermore, the imagery of stumbling and falling toward the north by the river Euphrates suggests a complete and irreversible collapse. The use of directional language in this verse is also noteworthy. The north is often associated with the direction from which trouble and destruction come, and the mention of the river Euphrates provides a specific location for this calamity to occur.
From a broader context, this verse serves as a reminder of the sovereignty and judgment of God over the nations. It underscores the futility of human strength and the inevitability of divine judgment. The downfall of mighty nations such as Egypt serves as a warning to all nations that they are not exempt from the consequences of sin and disobedience.
The themes of pride, idolatry, and reliance on human strength are prevalent throughout the biblical narrative, and this verse serves as a powerful illustration of the consequences of such attitudes. It also serves as a call to humility, repentance, and reliance on God for all nations.
In summary, Jeremiah 46:6 in the King James Version of the Bible is a powerful and evocative prophecy against Egypt, warning of their impending downfall and the futility of human strength in the face of divine judgment. The imagery of the swift and mighty stumbling and falling toward the north by the river Euphrates conveys the severity and inevitability of their destruction. This verse serves as a potent reminder of the sovereignty and judgment of God over the nations and the consequences of pride and idolatry. It also carries a timeless message of humility, repentance, and reliance on God for all peoples.
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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."
"Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates." - Jeremiah 46:6
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 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 46:22 - "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 48:46 - "Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives."
Jeremiah 46:23 - "They shall cut down her forest, saith the LORD, though it cannot be searched; because they are more than the grasshoppers, and are innumerable."
1 Chronicles 6:46 - "The son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shamer,"
Mark 6:46 - "And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray."
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."
Psalms 46:6 - "The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted."
"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
John 6:46 - "Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father."
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."
Luke 6:46 - "¶ And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"
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."
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."
"Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?" - Jeremiah 46:7
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."