Jeremiah 47

Prophecy against Philistia

1 That which came as the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the ¹Philistines, before Pharaoh conquered ²Gaza.

2 Thus says the LORD: "Behold, waters are going to rise from ³the north And become an overflowing torrent, And ⁴overflow the land and all its fullness, The city and those who live in it; And the men will ⁵cry out, And every inhabitant of the land will wail.

3 "Because of the noise of the ⁶galloping hoofs of his stallions, The tumult of his chariots, and the rumbling of his wheels, The fathers have not turned back for their children, Because of the limpness of their hands,

4 On account of the day that is coming To ⁷destroy all the Philistines, To cut off from ⁸Tyre and Sidon Every ally that is left; For the LORD is going to destroy the Philistines, The remnant of the coastland of ⁹Caphtor.

5 "¹⁰Baldness has come upon Gaza; ¹¹Ashkelon has been ruined. O remnant of their valley, How long will you ¹²gash yourself?

6 "Ah, ¹³sword of the LORD, How long will you not be quiet? Withdraw into your sheath; Be at rest and stay still.

7 "How can it be quiet, When the LORD has ¹⁴given it an order? Against Ashkelon and against the seacoast * - There He has ¹⁵assigned it."

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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.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Cross References 15

1. Jeremiah 25:20; Zechariah 9:6
2. Genesis 10:19; 1 Kings 4:24; Jeremiah 25:20; Amos 1:6; Zephaniah 2:4
3. Isaiah 14:31; Jeremiah 1:14; Jeremiah 6:22; Jeremiah 46:20, 24
4. Isaiah 8:7, 8
5. Isaiah 15:2-5; Jeremiah 46:12
6. Judges 5:22; Jeremiah 8:16; Nahum 3:2
7. Isaiah 14:31
8. Isaiah 23:5; Jeremiah 25:22; Joel 3:4; Amos 1:9, 10; Zechariah 9:2-4
9. Genesis 10:14; Deuteronomy 2:23; Amos 9:7
10. Jeremiah 48:37; Micah 1:16
11. Judges 1:18; Jeremiah 25:20; Amos 1:7, 8; Zephaniah 2:4, 7; Zechariah 9:5
12. Jeremiah 16:6; Jeremiah 41:5
13. Judges 7:20; Jeremiah 12:12; Ezekiel 21:3-5
14. Isaiah 10:6; Ezekiel 14:17
15. Micah 6:9

Footnotes 4

[a]. Lit "smote"
[b]. Lit "stamping of the"
[c]. Lit "mighty ones"
[d]. Lit "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.