Jeremias 47:4

4 Behold, I have loosed thee from the manacles that were upon thine hands. If it seem good to thee to go with me to Babylon, then will I set mine eyes upon thee.

Jeremias 47:4 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 47:4

Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines,
&c.] The time appointed by the Lord for their destruction, which should be universal: [and] to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth;
these were cities in Phoenicia, which bordered on the country of the Philistines, who were their auxiliaries in time of distress; but now, being wasted themselves, could give them no help when Nebuchadnezzar attacked them; as he did Tyre particularly, which he besieged thirteen years, and at last destroyed it, and Zidon with it: for the Lord will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of
Caphtor;
these last are not put by way of apposition, as if they were the same with the Philistines, though they were near of kin to them, coming from Casluhim; who were the posterity of Mizraim, as well as Caphtorim, ( Genesis 10:13 Genesis 10:14 ) ; indeed the Philistines are said to be brought from Caphtor, ( Amos 9:7 ) ; being very probably taken captive by them, but rescued from them; and now in confederacy with them, and like to share the same fate as they. The Targum renders it,

``the remnant of the island of the Cappadocians;''

and so the Vulgate Latin version. Some think the Colchi, others that the Cretians, are meant. R. Saadiah by Caphtor understands Damiata, a city in Egypt; which is the same with Pelusium or Sin, the strength of Egypt, ( Ezekiel 30:15 ) ; and it is usual with the Jews ^F23 to call this place Caphutkia, the same with Caphtor, they say; and, in Arabic, Damiata.

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FOOTNOTES:

F23 Misn. Cetubot, c. 13. sect. 11. & Maimon. & Bartenora in ib.

Jeremias 47:4 In-Context

2 And the chief captain of the guard took him, and said to him, The Lord thy God has pronounced all these evils upon this place:

3 and the Lord has done it; because ye sinned against him, and hearkened not to his voice.

4 Behold, I have loosed thee from the manacles that were upon thine hands. If it seem good to thee to go with me to Babylon, then will I set mine eyes upon thee.

5 But if not, depart; return to Godolias the son of Achicam, the son of Saphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed governor in the land of Juda, and dwell with him in the midst of the people in the land of Juda: to whatsoever places it seems good in thine eyes to go, do thou even go. And the captain of the guard made him presents, and let him go.

6 And he came to Godolias to Massepha, and dwelt in the midst of his people that was left in the land.