Definition: The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings; even Pharaoh, and [all] them that trust in him:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 46:25. It's a really important and dramatic passage about God’s plan to punish a specific group of people. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Situation: No (a small tribe): This verse focuses on a group of people called No, located in the region of Egypt. They were a nomadic tribe who lived in a very isolated and vulnerable position. Pharaoh: Pharaoh was the ruler of Egypt at the time – a powerful and influential leader. He controlled vast resources and had a huge empire. Egyptian Gods & Kings: The core of the problem is that No believed in gods, and Pharaoh allowed them to worship these gods. This created a dangerous situation for the Egyptians because they relied on these gods for their prosperity and safety. What God Says – The Punishment: “The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel…” : This establishes that this is not just any ordinary god; it's the powerful God of Israel. “…saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No…” : This is where the core of the verse comes in. “The multitude” means a large group – a whole tribe. God is saying he’s going to directly attack this group. "...and Pharaoh, and Egypt..." : God intends to punish Pharaoh specifically . He's not just punishing No; he’s targeting the entire nation of Egypt. "...with their gods, and their kings." : This is the main point. God is going to punish them for worshipping foreign gods and for relying on Pharaoh as a ruler who allows these foreign deities to be worshipped. It's about disrupting the established order and causing chaos. What He Wants to Achieve: “even Pharaoh, and [all] them that trust in him” : This is a crucial part. God isn’t just punishing them ; he’s punishing Pharaoh and everyone who relies on him for their safety and prosperity. It's a warning to Pharaoh - if he doesn’t stop the worship of these gods, God will unleash his wrath upon Egypt. In short: Jeremiah is telling us that God is going to punish a group of people – No – because they are defying his divine authority by worshipping foreign gods and relying on Pharaoh as their ruler. It's a dramatic warning about the potential consequences of disobedience. Important Note: This verse is part of a larger story in the Old Testament, highlighting God’s judgment and the importance of obedience to his laws. --- Do you want me to: Explain another passage from this verse? Discuss the why behind God’s actions (e.g., why did He choose this specific group)? Connect this verse to other parts of the Bible?