There they will cry out
This phrase indicates a public proclamation or lamentation. In the Hebrew context, "cry out" often signifies a loud, communal expression of distress or realization. Historically, this reflects the moment when the truth about Pharaoh's failure becomes undeniable to the people. The setting is likely after a significant defeat, possibly at the hands of the Babylonians, where the Egyptian forces were expected to be strong but were found lacking.

Pharaoh king of Egypt
Pharaoh, the title for the monarchs of ancient Egypt, symbolizes not just a ruler but the embodiment of Egyptian power and divinity. In the biblical narrative, Pharaohs often represent opposition to God's plans, as seen in the Exodus story. Here, the specific Pharaoh is likely Hophra (Apries), who reigned during Jeremiah's time. His reign was marked by political instability and military failures, which aligns with the prophetic critique.

was all noise
This phrase suggests that Pharaoh's reputation and threats were empty, lacking substance or follow-through. The Hebrew word for "noise" can imply tumult or commotion, indicating that Pharaoh's boasts and promises were mere bluster. This critique highlights the futility of relying on human power and pride, contrasting it with the sovereignty and reliability of God.

he has let the appointed time pass him by
The "appointed time" refers to a divinely ordained moment or opportunity. In the Hebrew context, this could be seen as a kairos moment, a critical or opportune time that requires decisive action. Pharaoh's failure to act or respond appropriately to God's timing underscores a theme throughout Scripture: the importance of recognizing and aligning with God's timing and purposes. This serves as a warning against complacency and the consequences of ignoring divine opportunities.

(17) They did cry there . . .--Better, There they cry . . . The difficulty of the verse has led to very various renderings. The meaning of the English version is that the exiles returning to their own land would say that Pharaoh with all his haughty boasts was but an empty noise, that he had passed the limit of God's long-suffering, and that the day of retribution had come. A slight change in the Hebrew words, however, gives, They have called the name of Pharaoh king of Egypt, A Noise; he hath passed (or lost) the appointed season--i.e., the time allowed by the long-suffering of God. This is supported by some of the ancient versions, and may be accepted as the best rendering. The LXX. and Vulg. agree in taking the opening words as an imperative, "Call ye the name of Pharaoh . . . ;" but the former, as if despairing of the meaning, simply reproduces the Hebrew words that follow in Greek letters, while the latter translates, Tumultum adduxit tempus ("Time, the appointed time, has brought the noise"--i.e., of war and destruction), as if it were, like Magor-missabib, a new nomen et omen given to the Egyptian king. Luther, giving another meaning to the words translated "appointed time," renders "Pharaoh king of Egypt lies prostrate, he has left his tent." Ewald, following the line of the Vulgate, renders the name by which Pharaoh is spoken of as "tumult, which a sign or 'moment' disperses," the "tumult" being his boastful clamour, the "sign" the token of Jehovah's will. Hitzig agrees more closely with the English version in the latter clause, and it may be accepted as having on the whole most in its favour.

Verse 17. - They did cry there, etc.; rather, they cry there, viz. the following words. But why should attention be called to the place where the cry is made? and why should the mercenaries (the subject of the preceding verb, and therefore presumably of this verb) have their exclamation recorded? Alter the vowel points (which merely represent an early but not infallible exegetical tradition), and all becomes clear. We then get a renewal of the summons in ver. 14 to make a proclamation respecting the war. The persons addressed are, not foreigners, but the children of the soil, and the summons runs thus: "Call ye the name of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, Desolation." No longer "Pharaoh," honoured by titles indicating that he, like Apis, is a Divine incarnation (neb, i.e. lord, and nuter, i.e. god), but Shaon, the Hebrew for Desolation, is the fittest name for the fallen monarch. The custom of changing names with a symbolic meaning is no strange one to readers of the prophecies. We have met with it in this very book (see Jeremiah 20:3); and Isaiah contains a parallel as exact as could be desired, in the famous passage in which the prophetic name (itself symbolic) of Egypt (Rahab, i.e. boisterousness, arrogance) is changed into "Rahabhem-shebheth" (i.e. "Rahab! they are utter indolence"). In behalf of this view we may claim the authority of a tradition still older than that preserved in the vowel points, for the Septuagint (followed substantially by the Peshito and the Vulgate) has, Καλέσατε τὸ ὄνομα Φαραὼ Νεχαὼ βασιλέως Αἰγύπτου Σαών. He hath passed the time appointed. A difficult clause, and variously interpreted. One thing is clear, that "passed" cannot be correct, as the verb is in the Hifil or causative conjugation. We must, at any rate, render, "He hath let the time appointed pass by." This is, in fact, the simplest and most natural explanation. There was a time within which repentance might have averted the judgment of God; but this "accepted time" has been foolishly let slip.

Parallel Commentaries ...


There
שָׁ֑ם (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

they will proclaim,
קָרְא֖וּ (qā·rə·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

‘Pharaoh
פַּרְעֹ֤ה (par·‘ōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings

king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

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

was all noise;
שָׁא֔וֹן (šā·’ō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7588: A roar (of waters, etcetera), din, crash, uproar

he has let the appointed time
הַמּוֹעֵֽד׃ (ham·mō·w·‘êḏ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting

pass him by.’
הֶעֱבִ֖יר (he·‘ĕ·ḇîr)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 46:17 They cried there Pharaoh king of Egypt (Jer.)