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Jeremiah 47

The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh struck down Gaza.

“Thus says the LORD: Behold, waters are rising out of the north, and shall become an overflowing torrent; they shall overflow the land and all that fills it, the city and those who dwell in it. Men shall cry out, and every inhabitant of the land shall wail.

At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his stallions, at the rushing of his chariots, at the rumbling of their wheels, the fathers look not back to their children, so feeble are their hands,

because of the day that is coming to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper that remains. For the LORD is destroying the Philistines, the remnant of the coastland of Caphtor.

Baldness has come upon Gaza; Ashkelon has perished. O remnant of their valley, how long will you gash yourselves?

Ah, sword of the LORD! How long till you are quiet? Put yourself into your scabbard; rest and be still!

How can it be quiet when the LORD has given it a charge? Against Ashkelon and against the seashore he has appointed it.”

Scripture quotations marked “ESV” are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Jeremiah 47

YHWH announces judgment on the Philistines, declaring that waters will rise from the north (the Babylonian invasion) that will destroy the Philistines and their cities, and the Philistines will cry out in distress as destruction overwhelms them, illustrating the pattern whereby YHWH uses the Babylonian empire to execute judgment against all nations that resist YHWH's sovereignty. The oracle's brevity and directness establish that while YHWH's judgment against Philistia is announced, the focus of divine concern is not the Philistines but rather their destruction serves to establish YHWH's comprehensive authority over all nations and empires, regardless of their perceived strength or historical significance.

Jeremiah 47:1

The word concerning the Philistines before Pharaoh attacked Gaza. The oracle against Philistines is framed by reference to Pharaoh's attack.

Jeremiah 47:2

Waters are rising from the north and shall become an overflowing flood. The repeated image symbolizes Babylonian invasion.

Jeremiah 47:3

At the noise of stamping horses and rushing chariots, parents abandon children in panic. The breakdown of family bonds indicates complete social dissolution.

Jeremiah 47:4

A nation comes up to destroy the Philistines and cut off helpers from Tyre and Sidon. The prophecy extends beyond the Philistines to include Phoenician cities.

Jeremiah 47:5

Baldness has come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is silenced; how long will you gash yourselves? The imagery of mourning and ritual lamentation emphasizes devastation.

Jeremiah 47:6

Ah, sword of the LORD! How long until you are quiet and put yourself into scabbard? The address to the sword personalizes the divine judgment.

Jeremiah 47:7

How can it be quiet when the LORD has ordered it against Ashkelon and the seashore? The answer establishes that the sword operates under divine command.