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Jeremiah 47

1

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

2

Thus 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.

3

At 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;

4

Because 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.

5

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

6

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

7

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

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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.