Jeremiah 46:24 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 46:24 mean?

Jeremiah 46:24 says that Egypt, pictured as a vulnerable daughter, will be shamed and handed over to people from the north. The verse predicts Egypt’s defeat and humiliation at the hands of a northern invader.

In this part of Jeremiah, the prophet is speaking God’s message about Egypt’s coming downfall. The “daughter of Egypt” is a poetic way to describe the nation itself, and “the people of the north” refers to the Babylonians, who would soon conquer Egypt. The verse uses strong language to show that Egypt, once proud and powerful, will be brought low and lose control over its own fate.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 46:24

• בַּת (bat, “daughter”): This word is often used in Hebrew poetry to personify a nation as a young woman, highlighting Egypt’s vulnerability and loss of protection.
• הָיָה לְבוּשׁ (confounded, transliterated as "yēbōsh"): This word means to be put to shame or disgraced, emphasizing the deep humiliation Egypt will experience.
• יָד (yad, “hand”): In Hebrew, “hand” often means power or control. Being delivered “into the hand” of another people means being completely under their power.
• עַם (am, “people”): This word is general for a group or nation, but here it points to the Babylonians, the powerful force from the north.

Why Jeremiah 46:24 matters

• The verse clears up that Egypt’s defeat is not just a military loss but a deep national shame, using the image of a daughter to stress how exposed and powerless Egypt will become.
• By naming “the people of the north,” Jeremiah connects this prophecy to earlier warnings about Babylon, showing a consistent message about God’s control over world events.
• This verse helps the reader see that even great nations are not immune to downfall, especially when they oppose God’s purposes as described throughout Jeremiah.