Egypt. Comes first because most important in connection with Judah, as well as coming second to Babylon at that time (with which it corresponds in position in the Structure above). Judah was indeed, then subject to Egypt. The policy of Judah's rulers was to lean on Egypt instead of heeding Jeremiah. These prophecies are designed to assure the nation that it could not rely on Gentile powers to thwart God's word by Jeremiah.
Carchemish. Compare 2 Chronicles 35:20-24. The Gargamish of the Inscriptions, now known as Jerablus, or Membij, &c.
the fourth year of Jehoiakim.. critical era in the history of Egypt, Babylon, Judah, and the world. See App-86. Four years before, Pharaoh-necho, on his way to Carchemish, had defeated and slain Josiah at Megiddo, and afterward taken his son Shallum as. vassal to Egypt, and set up Jehoiakim (2 Kings 23:29-35).