Jeremiah 46:20 net — Egypt is like a beautiful young cow. But northern armies will attack her like swarms of stinging flies.

NET Bible

"Egypt is like a beautiful young cow. But northern armies will attack her like swarms of stinging flies."

— Jeremiah 46:20, NET Bible

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Jeremiah 46:20 in Other Translations

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Jeremiah 46 — Context

17

There at home they will say,‘Pharaoh king of Egypt is just a big noise! He has let the most opportune moment pass by.’

18

I the King, whose name is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, swear this: I swear as surely as I live that a conqueror is coming. He will be as imposing as Mount Tabor is among the mountains, as Mount Carmel is against the backdrop of the sea.

19

Pack your bags for exile, you inhabitants of poor dear Egypt. For Memphis will be laid waste. It will lie in ruins and be uninhabited.

20

Egypt is like a beautiful young cow. But northern armies will attack her like swarms of stinging flies.

21

Even her mercenaries will prove to be like pampered, well-fed calves. For they too will turn and run away. They will not stand their ground when the time for them to be destroyed comes, the time for them to be punished.

22

Egypt will run away, hissing like a snake, as the enemy comes marching up in force. They will come against her with axes as if they were woodsmen chopping down trees.

23

The population of Egypt is like a vast, impenetrable forest. But I, the LORD, affirm that the enemy will cut them down. For those who chop them down will be more numerous than locusts. They will be too numerous to count.

Jeremiah 46:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Jeremiah 46:20 say?
Jeremiah 46:20 in the NET Bible reads: “Egypt is like a beautiful young cow. But northern armies will attack her like swarms of stinging flies.”
Where is Jeremiah 46:20 in the Bible?
Jeremiah 46:20 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Jeremiah, chapter 46, verse 20.
Who wrote Jeremiah?
Jeremiah is traditionally attributed to Jeremiah, with scribal help from Baruch. It was written c. 627–580 BC.
What is the book of Jeremiah about?
Jeremiah, the "weeping prophet," ministered through Judah's slow-motion collapse — pleading with kings and people to repent, suffering imprisonment for his message, and ultimately watching Jerusalem fall. Yet in the midst of judgment he promises a new covenant written on the heart.
What are the major themes of Jeremiah?
Jeremiah explores themes including Judgment, Repentance, New Covenant, Suffering Prophet, Hope. These themes shape the meaning and context of Jeremiah 46:20.
What translation should I read Jeremiah 46:20 in?
Jeremiah 46:20 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Jeremiah 46:20?
Jeremiah 46:20 reads (NET): “Egypt is like a beautiful young cow. But northern armies will attack her like swarms of stinging flies.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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