Jeremiah 47:5-7

5 Gaza will shave her head in mourning; Ashkelon will be silenced. You remnant on the plain, how long will you cut yourselves?
6 “ ‘Alas, sword of the LORD, how long till you rest? Return to your sheath; cease and be still.’
7 But how can it rest when the LORD has commanded it, when he has ordered it to attack Ashkelon and the coast?”

Jeremiah 47:5-7 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.

Cross References 6

  • 1. S Jeremiah 41:5; Micah 1:16
  • 2. S Jeremiah 25:20
  • 3. S Leviticus 19:28
  • 4. S Isaiah 34:5; Jeremiah 12:12; Jeremiah 48:10; Jeremiah 50:35
  • 5. Ezekiel 21:30
  • 6. Ezekiel 25:15-17
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