Jeremiah 43:12
New International Version
He will set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt; he will burn their temples and take their gods captive. As a shepherd picks his garment clean of lice, so he will pick Egypt clean and depart.

New Living Translation
He will set fire to the temples of Egypt’s gods; he will burn the temples and carry the idols away as plunder. He will pick clean the land of Egypt as a shepherd picks fleas from his cloak. And he himself will leave unharmed.

English Standard Version
I shall kindle a fire in the temples of the gods of Egypt, and he shall burn them and carry them away captive. And he shall clean the land of Egypt as a shepherd cleans his cloak of vermin, and he shall go away from there in peace.

Berean Standard Bible
I will kindle a fire in the temples of the gods of Egypt, and Nebuchadnezzar will burn those temples and take their gods as captives. So he will wrap himself with the land of Egypt as a shepherd wraps himself in his garment, and he will depart from there unscathed.

King James Bible
And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace.

New King James Version
I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt, and he shall burn them and carry them away captive. And he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd puts on his garment, and he shall go out from there in peace.

New American Standard Bible
And I shall set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt, and he will burn them and take them captive. So he will wrap himself with the land of Egypt as a shepherd wraps himself with his garment, and he will depart from there safely.

NASB 1995
“And I shall set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt, and he will burn them and take them captive. So he will wrap himself with the land of Egypt as a shepherd wraps himself with his garment, and he will depart from there safely.

NASB 1977
“And I shall set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt, and he will burn them and take them captive. So he will wrap himself with the land of Egypt as a shepherd wraps himself with his garment, and he will depart from there safely.

Legacy Standard Bible
And I shall set fire to the houses of the gods of Egypt, and he will burn them and take them captive. So he will wrap himself with the land of Egypt as a shepherd wraps himself with his garment, and he will depart from there safely.

Amplified Bible
And [through him] I will set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt, and he will burn them and take them (Egyptian idols) captive. He will wrap himself with the land of Egypt as a shepherd wraps himself with his garment, and he will go away from there safely.

Christian Standard Bible
I will kindle a fire in the temples of Egypt’s gods, and he will burn them and take them captive. He will clean the land of Egypt as a shepherd picks lice off his clothes, and he will leave there unscathed.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I will kindle a fire in the temples of Egypt’s gods, and he will burn them and take them prisoner. He will clean the land of Egypt as a shepherd picks lice off his garment, and he will leave there unscathed.

American Standard Version
And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captive: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace.

English Revised Version
And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He will set fire to the temples of Egypt's gods. He will burn down the temples and take their gods captive. Nebuchadnezzar will put on Egypt as his coat as a shepherd puts on his coat. He will leave Egypt peacefully.

Good News Translation
I will set fire to the temples of Egypt's gods, and the king of Babylonia will either burn their gods or carry them off. As shepherds pick their clothes clean of lice, so the king of Babylonia will pick the land of Egypt clean and then leave victorious.

International Standard Version
He will set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt. He will burn their idols and take them captive. He will wrap himself with the land of Egypt like a shepherd wraps himself with a garment, and then he will leave from there in peace.

Majority Standard Bible
I will kindle a fire in the temples of the gods of Egypt, and Nebuchadnezzar will burn those temples and take their gods as captives. So he will wrap himself with the land of Egypt as a shepherd wraps himself in his garment, and he will depart from there unscathed.

NET Bible
He will set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt. He will burn their gods or carry them off as captives. He will pick Egypt clean like a shepherd picks the lice from his clothing. He will leave there unharmed.

New Heart English Bible
I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captive: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd puts on his garment; and he shall go forth from there in peace.

Webster's Bible Translation
And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace.

World English Bible
I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt. He will burn them, and carry them away captive. He will array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd puts on his garment; and he will go out from there in peace.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I have kindled a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt, and it has burned them, and he has taken them captive, and covered himself with the land of Egypt, as the shepherd covers himself with his garment, and he has gone forth there in peace;

Young's Literal Translation
And I have kindled a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt, and it hath burned them, and he hath taken them captive, and covered himself with the land of Egypt, as cover himself doth the shepherd with his garment, and he hath gone forth thence in peace;

Smith's Literal Translation
And I kindled a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt, and he burnt them and carried them away captive: and he covered himself with the land of Egypt as the shepherd will cover himself with his garment; and he will go forth from thence in peace.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he shall kindle a fire in the temples of the gods of Egypt, and he shall burn them, and he shall carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment: and he shall go forth from thence in peace.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he will kindle a fire in the shrines of the gods of Egypt, and he will burn them down, and he will lead them away captive. And he will clothe himself with the land of Egypt, just as a shepherd is clothed with his cloak. And he will go forth from that place in peace.

New American Bible
He shall set fire to the temples of Egypt’s gods, burn the gods and carry them off. He shall pick the land of Egypt clean, as a shepherd picks lice off his cloak, and then depart victorious.

New Revised Standard Version
He shall kindle a fire in the temples of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them and carry them away captive; and he shall pick clean the land of Egypt, as a shepherd picks his cloak clean of vermin; and he shall depart from there safely.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he shall kindle a fire in the house of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them and carry them away captives; and he shall conquer the land of Egypt as easily as a shepherd puts on his woolen cloak; and he shall go away from thence peacefully.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he shall set fire in the house of the gods of the Egyptians, and he shall burn them and he shall take them captive, and he shall cover the land as a Shepherd is covered with a wool cloak, and he will go forth from there in peace
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives; and he shall fold up the land of Egypt, as a shepherd foldeth up his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he shall kindle a fire in the houses of their gods, and shall burn them, and shall carry them away captives: and shall search the land of Egypt, as a shepherd searches his garment; and he shall go forth in peace.
Audio Bible



Context
Jeremiah Taken to Egypt
11He will come and strike down the land of Egypt, bringing death to those destined for death, captivity to those destined for captivity, and the sword to those destined for the sword. 12I will kindle a fire in the temples of the gods of Egypt, and Nebuchadnezzar will burn those temples and take their gods as captives. So he will wrap himself with the land of Egypt as a shepherd wraps himself in his garment, and he will depart from there unscathed. 13He will demolish the sacred pillars of the temple of the sun in the land of Egypt, and he will burn down the temples of the gods of Egypt.’ ”…

Cross References
Ezekiel 29:19-20
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will carry off its wealth, seize its spoil, and remove its plunder. This will be the wages for his army. / I have given him the land of Egypt as the reward for his labor, because it was done for Me, declares the Lord GOD.

Isaiah 19:1
This is the burden against Egypt: Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud; He is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them.

Jeremiah 46:13-26
This is the word that the LORD spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to strike the land of Egypt: / “Announce it in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol; proclaim it in Memphis and Tahpanhes: ‘Take your positions and prepare yourself, for the sword devours those around you.’ / Why have your warriors been laid low? They cannot stand, for the LORD has thrust them down. ...

Isaiah 20:4
so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame.

Ezekiel 30:10-12
This is what the Lord GOD says: I will put an end to the hordes of Egypt by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. / He and his people with him, the most ruthless of the nations, will be brought in to destroy the land. They will draw their swords against Egypt and fill the land with the slain. / I will make the streams dry up and sell the land to the wicked. By the hands of foreigners I will bring desolation upon the land and everything in it. I, the LORD, have spoken.

Isaiah 10:5-6
Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath. / I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets.

Isaiah 37:26-27
Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it; in days of old I planned it. Now I have brought it to pass, that you should crush fortified cities into piles of rubble. / Therefore their inhabitants, devoid of power, are dismayed and ashamed. They are like plants in the field, tender green shoots, grass on the rooftops, scorched before it is grown.

2 Kings 19:25
Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it; in days of old I planned it. Now I have brought it to pass, that you should crush fortified cities into piles of rubble.

Isaiah 46:11
I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.

Isaiah 44:28
who says of Cyrus, ‘My shepherd will fulfill all that I desire,’ who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundation be laid.’”

Daniel 11:42-43
He will extend his power over many countries, and not even the land of Egypt will escape. / He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and over all the riches of Egypt, and the Libyans and Cushites will also submit to him.

Isaiah 45:1-3
This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut: / “I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron. / I will give you the treasures of darkness and the riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by name.

Isaiah 14:24-27
The LORD of Hosts has sworn: “Surely, as I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand. / I will break Assyria in My land; I will trample him on My mountain. His yoke will be taken off My people, and his burden removed from their shoulders.” / This is the plan devised for the whole earth, and this is the hand stretched out over all the nations. ...

Isaiah 47:6
I was angry with My people; I profaned My heritage, and I placed them under your control. You showed them no mercy; even on the elderly you laid a most heavy yoke.

Habakkuk 1:6-10
For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans—that ruthless and impetuous nation which marches through the breadth of the earth to seize dwellings not their own. / They are dreaded and feared; from themselves they derive justice and sovereignty. / Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves of the night. Their horsemen charge ahead, and their cavalry comes from afar. They fly like a vulture, swooping down to devour. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd puts on his garment; and he shall go forth from there in peace.

in the

Jeremiah 46:25
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:

Jeremiah 48:7
For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together.

Jeremiah 50:2
Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.

array

Esther 6:9
And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.

Job 40:10
Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.

putteth

Psalm 109:18,19
As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones…

Psalm 132:16,18
I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy…

Isaiah 49:18
Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.

Jump to Previous
Array Burn Captive Captives Carry Clean Cloak Depart Egypt Fire Fold Foldeth Forth Garment Gods Houses Kindle Peace Puts Putteth Safely Shepherd Temples Thence Unscathed Wrap Wraps
Jump to Next
Array Burn Captive Captives Carry Clean Cloak Depart Egypt Fire Fold Foldeth Forth Garment Gods Houses Kindle Peace Puts Putteth Safely Shepherd Temples Thence Unscathed Wrap Wraps
Jeremiah 43
1. Johanan, discrediting Jeremiah's prophecy, carries him and the rest in Egypt.
8. Jeremiah prophesies by a type the conquest of Egypt by the Babylonians.














I will set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt
This phrase signifies God's judgment against the idolatry of Egypt. The Hebrew word for "set fire" (שָׂרַף, saraph) implies a consuming destruction, indicating the totality of God's judgment. The "temples of the gods of Egypt" were not only religious centers but also symbols of Egypt's power and pride. Historically, Egypt was known for its pantheon of gods, and the destruction of these temples would symbolize the impotence of these deities before the God of Israel. This act serves as a reminder of the first commandment, emphasizing the exclusivity of worship due to Yahweh alone.

he will burn them and take them captive
The "he" refers to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, whom God uses as an instrument of His judgment. The dual action of burning and taking captive underscores the completeness of the conquest. The Hebrew word for "burn" (שָׂרַף, saraph) is repeated, emphasizing the thoroughness of the destruction. "Take them captive" (שָׁבָה, shavah) suggests not only the physical removal of idols but also the spiritual defeat of Egypt's gods. This reflects the biblical theme that earthly powers and false gods are ultimately subject to the sovereignty of the one true God.

He will wrap himself in the land of Egypt as a shepherd wraps himself in his garment
This metaphor illustrates the ease and authority with which Nebuchadnezzar will conquer Egypt. The imagery of a shepherd (רֹעֶה, ro'eh) wrapping himself in his garment conveys a sense of ownership and control. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a shepherd was a common metaphor for a king or leader, suggesting care and dominion. The phrase implies that just as a shepherd is intimately familiar with his garment, so will Nebuchadnezzar be with Egypt, moving through it with confidence and authority. This also reflects God's sovereignty in using earthly rulers to accomplish His divine purposes.

and he will depart from there unscathed
The word "unscathed" (שָׁלוֹם, shalom) in Hebrew conveys a sense of peace and completeness. Despite the turmoil and destruction he brings, Nebuchadnezzar will leave Egypt without harm, indicating the protection and success granted by God. This outcome highlights the futility of resisting God's will and serves as a warning to those who trust in their own strength or in false gods. It also reassures the faithful that God's plans will prevail, and His chosen instruments will accomplish their tasks without hindrance. This reflects the biblical principle that God's purposes are unstoppable and His protection is assured for those He chooses to use.

(12) I will kindle a fire.--The change of person is full of significance. Jehovah Himself kindles the fire which is to destroy the temples of the gods of Egypt, and the Chaldaean king is but His instrument.

As a shepherd putteth on his garment.--The words may point simply to the easiness of the conquest. To take possession of the whole country will be as quick and light a matter as when the shepherd takes up his garment at night and wraps it round him. Possibly (as Hitzig suggests) there may be a reference to the fact that when the shepherd so wraps himself he turns the fleecy coat which he wears inside out (the "pellibus inversis" of Juvenal, Sat. xiv. 136). So, the prophet may suggest, shall the conqueror turn the whole land upside down. (Comp. 2Kings 21:13).

Verse 12. - Burn them; viz. the temples. Egypt was full of gorgeous and imposing temples, which could not, however, always be burned, nor were the conquerors of Egypt anxious to display hostility to Egyptian religion. Carry them away captives; viz. the idol gods (comp. Jeremiah 48:7, "Chemosh shall no forth into captivity:" and Isaiah 46:2, "Their soul [or, 'personality'] hath gone into captivity"). The prophet speaks from the point of view of a believer in the idol gods. He shall array himself with the land of Egypt, etc. (For "array himself with" and "putteth on,"read wrap himself in and wrappeth himself in.) Ewald well explains this figure. "As easily as the shepherd in the open field wraps himself in the cool night in his mantle, will he be able to grasp Egypt with his hand and fling it round him like an easily managed garment, in order then to leave the land as an absolute conqueror, clothed in this attire of booty, in peace, without an enemy."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I will kindle
וְהִצַּ֣תִּי (wə·hiṣ·ṣat·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3341: To burn, set on fire, to desolate

a fire
אֵ֗שׁ (’êš)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

in the temples
בְּבָתֵּי֙ (bə·ḇāt·tê)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of the gods
אֱלֹהֵ֣י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Egypt,
מִצְרַ֔יִם (miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

and he will burn [those temples]
וּשְׂרָפָ֖ם (ū·śə·rā·p̄ām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8313: To be, on fire

and take [their gods] as captives.
וְשָׁבָ֑ם (wə·šā·ḇām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7617: To transport into captivity

So he will wrap
וְעָטָה֩ (wə·‘ā·ṭāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5844: To wrap oneself, enwrap, envelop oneself

himself with
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Preposition
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

the land
אֶ֨רֶץ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Egypt
מִצְרַ֜יִם (miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

as
כַּאֲשֶׁר־ (ka·’ă·šer-)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

a shepherd
הָֽרֹעֶה֙ (hā·rō·‘eh)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with

wraps himself
יַעְטֶ֤ה (ya‘·ṭeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5844: To wrap oneself, enwrap, envelop oneself

in his garment,
בִּגְד֔וֹ (biḡ·ḏōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage

and he will depart
וְיָצָ֥א (wə·yā·ṣā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

from there
מִשָּׁ֖ם (miš·šām)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

unscathed.
בְּשָׁלֽוֹם׃ (bə·šā·lō·wm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 43:12 I will kindle a fire (Jer.)
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