Jeremiah47
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1The word of Jehovah that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.
2Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall become an overflowing stream, and shall overflow the land and all that is therein, the city and them that dwell therein; and the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall wail.
3At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong ones, at the rushing of his chariots, at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers look not back to their children for feebleness of hands;
4because of the day that cometh to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper that remaineth: for Jehovah will destroy the Philistines, the remnant of the isle of Caphtor.
5Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is brought to nought, the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?
6O thou sword of Jehovah, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard; rest, and be still.
7How canst thou be quiet, seeing Jehovah hath given thee a charge? Against Ashkelon, and against the sea-shore, there hath he appointed it.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Jeremiah 47.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The calamities of the Philistines. (1-7).
vv1-7
The Philistines had always been enemies to Israel; but the Chaldean army shall overflow their land like a deluge. Those whom God will spoil, must be spoiled. For when the Lord intends to destroy the wicked, he will cut off every helper. So deplorable are the desolations of war, that the blessings of peace are most desirable. But we must submit to His appointments who ordains all in perfect wisdom and justice.
Key Words
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
יִרְמְיָה: Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites
נָבִיא: a prophet or (generally) inspired man
פְּלִשְׁתִּי: a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth
טֶרֶם: properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before
פַּרְעֹה: Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings
נָכָה: to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
עַזָּה: Azzah, a place in Palestine
כֹּה: properly, like this, i.e. by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
Cross References
Jeremiah 47Explicitly names Gaza, Ashkelon, the sea shore, and the remnant of the valley in judgment.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Prophecy against Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Ekron, detailing the destruction of the Philistines.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Compares invading armies from the north to the overwhelming, rising waters of a great river.
Supported by JFB
Identifies Caphtorim as the group that destroyed the Avims and dwelt in their stead.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Traces the genealogical origins of the Philistines (Philistim) and Caphtorim from Mizraim.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Jeremiah's earlier prophecy listing the cup of fury given to the Philistine cities.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Prophetic parallel of the Lord stretching out His hand to destroy the remnant of the sea coast.
Supported by JFB
Affirms historical origin, stating that the Lord brought the Philistines from Caphtor.
Supported by JFB
Parallel on God appointing and ordaining the instrument of judgment (the rod/sword).
Supported by JFB
Parallel where God commands a sword to go through a land to cut it off.
Supported by JFB
Establishment of the motif that calamity breaks forth specifically 'out of the north'.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Describes pagan customs of baldness and cutting oneself in deep mourning and terror.
Supported by JFB
Post-exilic parallel detailing the loss of a king in Gaza and Ashkelon remaining uninhabited.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Poetic imagery of the whetted, glittering sword of the Lord executing judgment.
Supported by JFB