Chapter 43 – Rebellion Against G d and the Prophecy of Babylon’s Triumph Over Egypt
1. Rejection of Yirmiyahu’s Message (43:1–4)
After Yirmiyahu finished speaking all the words that G‑d had commanded him to deliver, Azaryah son of Hosha’yah, Yohanan son of Kare’ach, and other arrogant men accused Yirmiyahu of lying. They claimed that G‑d had not sent him to warn them against going to Egypt, but that Baruch son of Neriyah had incited him to hand them over to the Kasdim (Babylonians). Despite Yirmiyahu’s clear prophecy, the leaders and the people refused to obey G‑d’s command to remain in Yehudah.
2. The Flight to Egypt (43:5–7)
Yohanan and the army officers gathered all the remnant of Yehudah—men, women, children, the king’s daughters, and all those left by Nebuzaradan under Gedalyahu’s care. They also took Yirmiyahu and Baruch and led the entire group into Egypt, arriving at Tachpanches. This act of disobedience fulfilled their rebellion against G‑d’s word.
3. Prophetic Sign at Tachpanches (43:8–13)
In Egypt, G‑d spoke to Yirmiyahu, commanding him to perform a symbolic act. He was to take large stones and hide them in the mortar at the entrance of Pharaoh’s palace in Tachpanches, in the sight of the Judeans. Yirmiyahu then declared G‑d’s message: Nebuchadnetzar, king of Babylon—called “My servant” by G‑d—would set his throne upon these stones and spread his royal pavilion over them. He would invade Egypt, striking down its inhabitants—those destined for death, captivity, or the sword. He would burn the temples of Egypt’s gods, destroy their idols, and carry away their treasures. Egypt would be subdued as easily as a shepherd wraps his garment, and its monuments, including Beth-Shemesh, would be shattered and burned.
