ירמיהו, פרק מ״ו, פסוק י״ד

A dramatic and official warning echoes across the Egyptian empire, signaling the imminent invasion by the king of Babylon. This public declaration reflects the standard practice of kings in the ancient world. Rather than launching a surprise attack in the dead of night like common thieves, powerful monarchs would formally announce their military intentions in advance [אברבנאל].

The certainty of this impending destruction raises a natural question regarding prophecy. If the Egyptians were to repent, could God cancel the decree, just as He did for the city of Nineveh? The answer lies in the nature of divine promises. While God may retract a harsh decree, He does not withdraw a positive promise. Because the conquest of Egypt is considered a beneficial promise given to the Babylonian king, the prophecy remains absolute and cannot be undone [אהבת יהונתן].

The alarm begins as a broad call to the entire kingdom before narrowing its focus to specific major centers, namely Migdol, Noph, and Tahpanhes [רד״ק, מלבי״ם]. These locations serve as crucial royal fortresses for Pharaoh. Migdol, in particular, is recognized from early history as a prominent site situated near the sea [רד״ק, מצודת ציון, אברבנאל]. The urgent message commands the Egyptian king and his army to stand ready, instructing them to prepare all necessary weapons and military equipment for the coming conflict [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Beyond basic preparation, the warning includes specific tactical guidance. The Egyptian forces are advised to barricade themselves inside their protected cities and fight from within, rather than marching out to meet the enemy on the open battlefield [מלבי״ם]. This defensive strategy is essential because the enemy has already consumed the surrounding territories. Specifically, the Babylonian army has just finished devastating the land of Judah, and with that campaign complete, they are now directing their full destructive force toward Egypt [אברבנאל].