Jeremiah 47

Judgment on the Philistines

1 The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet ¹concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh struck down ²Gaza.

2 "Thus says the LORD: ³Behold, waters are rising ⁴out of the north, ⁵and shall become an overflowing torrent; they shall overflow ⁶the 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.

3 At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his stallions, ⁷at the rushing of his chariots, at the rumbling of their wheels, the fathers ⁸look not back to their children, so feeble are their hands,

4 because of the day that is coming to destroy all ⁹the Philistines, to cut off from ¹⁰Tyre and Sidon every helper that remains. For the LORD is destroying the Philistines, ¹¹the remnant of the coastland of ¹²Caphtor.

5 ¹³Baldness has come upon Gaza; ¹⁴Ashkelon has perished. O remnant of their valley, ¹⁵how long will you gash yourselves?

6 ¹⁶Ah, sword of the LORD! How long till you are quiet? Put yourself into your scabbard; rest and be still!

7 How can it^[a] be quiet ¹⁷when the LORD has given it a charge? Against ¹⁸Ashkelon and against the seashore ¹⁹he has appointed it."

Jeremiah 47 Commentary

Chapter 47

The calamities of the Philistines.

- 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.

Cross References

• 1. Jeremiah 25:20; Ezekiel 25:15, 16; Zephaniah 2:5
• 2. Amos 1:6, 7; Zephaniah 2:4
• 3. [Jeremiah 46:7, 8; Isaiah 8:7]
• 4. See Jeremiah 1:13
• 5. [Jeremiah 46:7, 8; Isaiah 8:7]
• 6. [Jeremiah 8:16]
• 7. Nahum 3:2
• 8. Jeremiah 46:5
• 9. [See ver. 1 above]
• 10. Isaiah 23:1, 2; Joel 3:4; See Jeremiah 25:22
• 11. Amos 1:8
• 12. Genesis 10:14; Amos 9:7
• 13. [Jeremiah 48:37; Isaiah 3:24]
• 14. Jeremiah 25:20; [Judges 1:18]
• 15. [Jeremiah 48:37]
• 16. Deuteronomy 32:41; See Ezekiel 21:3-5
• 17. [Ezekiel 14:17]
• 18. Jeremiah 25:20; [Judges 1:18]
• 19. Micah 6:9

Footnotes

• [a]. Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew you

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 47

This chapter contains a prophecy of the destruction of the Philistines chiefly; and also of the Tyrians and Zidonians. The title of the prophecy, Jer 47:1; the instruments of this destruction, who are compared to overflowing waters; which would cause great lamentation in the inhabitants of the places where they should come, Jer 47:2; the noise of their horses and chariots would be so terrible, as to make parents flee and leave their own children, Jer 47:3; at the same time Tyre and Zidon would fall into the hands of the enemy, and have no helper, Jer 47:4; particular places in Palestine are mentioned, that should be destroyed, Jer 47:5; and all this owing to a commission the Lord gave to the sword, and which therefore would continue to ravage, Jer 47:6,7.