Jeremiah — Chapter 47

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1The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.

2Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.

3At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;

4Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.

5Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?

6O thou sword of the LORD, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.

7How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it.

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.

1This was the Lord’s message to the prophet Jeremiah about the Philistines before Pharaoh attacked Gaza:

2“Look! Enemies are gathering in the north like water rising in a river. They will be like an overflowing stream. They will overwhelm the whole country and everything in it like a flood. They will overwhelm the cities and their inhabitants. People will cry out in alarm. Everyone living in the country will cry out in pain.

3Fathers will hear the hoofbeats of the enemies’ horses, the clatter of their chariots and the rumbling of their wheels. They will not turn back to save their children because they will be paralyzed with fear.

4For the time has come to destroy all the Philistines. The time has come to destroy all the help that remains for Tyre and Sidon. For I, the Lord, will destroy the Philistines, that remnant that came from the island of Crete.

5The people of Gaza will shave their heads in mourning. The people of Ashkelon will be struck dumb. How long will you gash yourselves to show your sorrow, you who remain of Philistia’s power?

6How long will you cry out, ‘Oh, sword of the Lord, how long will it be before you stop killing? Go back into your sheath; stay there and rest!’

7But how can it rest when I, the Lord, have given it orders? I have ordered it to attack the people of Ashkelon and the seacoast.”

1Yahweh’s word that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh struck Gaza.

2Yahweh says: “Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and will become an overflowing stream, and will overflow the land and all that is therein, the city and those who dwell therein. The men will cry, and all the inhabitants of the land will 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 don’t look back to their children for feebleness of hands;

4because of the day that comes to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper who remains; for Yahweh will destroy the Philistines, the remnant of the isle of Caphtor.

5Baldness has come on Gaza; Ashkelon is brought to nothing, the remnant of their valley: how long will you cut yourself?

6“‘You sword of Yahweh, how long will it be before you are quiet? Put yourself back into your scabbard; rest, and be still.’

7“How can you be quiet, since Yahweh has given you a command? Against Ashkelon, and against the seashore, there has he appointed it.”

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Oracle against the Philistines — waters rise from the north (Babylon) as a flood overwhelming the coastal cities. Gaza, Ashkelon, and the remnant of the coastland are devastated. Even Tyre and Sidon's help is cut off. The sword of the LORD devours and cannot rest.

Authorship & Background

Author: Jeremiah son of Hilkiah (see Chapter 1 notes for full details).
Classification: Prophetic Oracle Against the Nations — Philistia Key Themes: Flood imagery for invasion, the coastal cities destroyed, no helper remains, the sword of the LORD unsheathed
Historical Context: Dated "before Pharaoh smote Gaza" (v.1) — possibly before Pharaoh Necho's campaign through Philistia (609 BC) or an Egyptian punitive expedition. The Philistines occupied the coastal plain southwest of Judah (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath). They were Israel's ancient enemies (David vs. Goliath era) but by Jeremiah's time were a minor power caught between Egypt and Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the Philistine cities during his campaigns (604-601 BC). The imagery is a FLOOD from the north — overwhelming waters that drown entire populations.
Structure:
  • Waters Rise from the North: The Flood of Invasion (vv.1-4)
  • Gaza and Ashkelon: Baldness and Silence (vv.5-7)

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com
  • Charles Spurgeon: "'How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge?' The sword of judgment cannot stop mid-stroke when God has COMMANDED its work. Our pleas for mercy must come BEFORE the charge is given — not after the sword is drawn."

Reflection

  • 1. God's sword has orders (v.7). Once judgment is commissioned, it completes its task. Repentance must come BEFORE the sword is drawn. Don't presume you can negotiate once judgment is actively falling.
  • 2. Even allies can't help (v.4). When God moves against something, no amount of human alliance can stop it. Tyre and Sidon couldn't help Philistia; your human supports can't override divine decisions.
  • 3. The prophet grieves for enemies (v.6). Jeremiah pleads for the PHILISTINES' sword to stop. True prophets grieve even enemy destruction. Compassion for suffering transcends national boundaries.