Jeremiah 43:8-13

The Future Conquest of Egypt by Nebuchadrezzar. According to an imperfect inscription (given in Rogers's Cuneiform Parallels to the OT, p. 367), he actually invaded Egypt in 567 B.C. Jeremiah symbolically proclaims this by placing stones on the spot where the Babylonian king shall erect his throne and glittering canopy (Jeremiah 43:10 mg.). He will make the land his, as easily as a shepherd puts on his garment (Jeremiah 43:12), and will destroy heathen temples, and the obelisks of Heliopolis (Jeremiah 43:13 mg.; 6 m. NE. of Cairo) For the force of such symbolism see on Jeremiah 13:1 ff.

Jeremiah 43:9. in mortar in the brickwork: a very doubtful phrase: LXX reads in the forecourt, and other Greek VSS with Vulg. in secret; the latter is preferable, as the action would perhaps have to be done by night cf. Ezekiel 12:7.

Jeremiah 43:10. Read with LXX, Syr. he will set.

Jeremiah 43:12. Read with VSS, he will kindle.

Jeremiah 43:13. Cleopatra's Needle is one of these obelisks.