Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley, [1754-65], at sacred-texts.com
Jeremiah 46:1
jer 46:1
The word - This verse contains the title of all the ensuing discourses; for, tho' there be some verses in these chapters that relate to the Jews, yet they are all concerning their restoration. The prophecies of judgments from the beginning of this chapter to the fifty - second, are all against foreign nations, which are called Gentiles.
Jeremiah 46:4
jer 46:4
Brigandines - Coats of mail.
Jeremiah 46:6
jer 46:6
Let not the swift - It is in vain for the swift to flee away, the mighty men shall not escape, but they shall stumble and fall at Carchemish, which was near the river Euphrates, and northward from Egypt.
Jeremiah 46:9
jer 46:9
And the Lydians - They were all auxiliaries to the Egyptians in this expedition.
Jeremiah 46:10
jer 46:10
Made drunk - These phrases only metaphorically signify, the great slaughter God would make that day amongst the Egyptians.
Jeremiah 46:12
jer 46:12
Stumbled - Stumbling one upon another, so that both those that went before, and those who followed after, should fall together.
Jeremiah 46:14
jer 46:14
Declare - Publish this over all the land of Egypt.
Jeremiah 46:17
jer 46:17
Pharaoh - Hath made a great noise, but it cometh to nothing. Passed - That is, he hath passed the time himself fixed when he would cone, and fight the Chaldeans.
Jeremiah 46:18
jer 46:18
Surely - He shall as certainly come and encompass you with his armies, as Tabor is encompassed with mountains, and as Carmel is by the sea.
Jeremiah 46:20
jer 46:20
A serpent - Egypt is now like an heifer that makes a great bellowing, but the time shall come when she shall make a lesser noise like the hissing of a serpent. With axes - For the Chaldeans shall come with an army, armed with battle - axes, as if they came to fell wood in a forest.
Jeremiah 46:23
jer 46:23
Tho' - Tho' it seem impenetrable.