Jeremiah 47:2-7

2 The LORD said, "The armies of Babylonia are like waters rising in the north. They will become a great flood. They will flow over the land and everything in it. They will flow over the towns and those who live in them. The people will cry out. All those who live in the land will sob.

3 They will sob when they hear galloping horses. They will sob at the noise of enemy chariots. They will sob at the rumble of their wheels. Fathers will not even try to help their children. Their hands will not be able to help them.

4 The day has come to destroy all of the Philistines. The time has come to cut off all those who could help Tyre and Sidon. I am about to destroy the Philistines. I will not leave anyone alive who came from the coasts of Crete.

5 The people of Gaza will be so sad they will shave their heads. And Ashkelon's people will be silent. You who remain on the flatlands, how long will you cut yourselves?

6 " 'Sword of the Lord!' you cry out. 'How long will it be until you rest? Return to the place you came from. Stop killing us! Be still!'

7 But how can my sword rest when I have given it a command? I have ordered it to attack Ashkelon and the Philistine coast."

Jeremiah 47:2-7 Meaning and Commentary

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.