Jeremiah 47:3

3 They will hear the sound of the running horses and the noisy chariots and the rumbling chariot wheels. Parents will not help their children to safety, because they will be too weak to help.

Jeremiah 47:3 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 47:3

At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong
[horses]
The noise of the cavalry of Nebuchadnezzar's army, as they came marching on towards the country of the Philistines; who, being mounted on strong prancing horses, made a great noise as they came along, and were heard at a distance: at the rushing of his chariots, [and at] the rumbling, of his wheels;
the rattling and clatter the chariot wheels made; in which rode the chief officers and generals, with other mighty men: chariots were much used in war in those times: the fathers shall not look back to [their] children for feebleness of
hands;
they should be so frightened at the approach of the enemy, and flee with much precipitancy to provide for their own safety, that they should not think of their children, or stay to deliver and save them, the most near and dear unto them; being so terrified as not to be able to lift up their hands to defend themselves, and protect their children. The Targum is,

``the fathers shall not look back to have mercy on [their] children;''

in their fright should forget their natural affection to them, and not so much as look back with an eye of pity and compassion on them; so intent upon their own deliverance and safety.

Jeremiah 47:3 In-Context

1 Before the king of Egypt attacked the city of Gaza, the Lord spoke his word to Jeremiah the prophet. This message is to the Philistine people.

2 This is what the Lord says: "See, the enemy is gathering in the north like rising waters. They will become like an overflowing stream and will cover the whole country like a flood, even the towns and the people living in them. Everyone living in that country will cry for help; the people will cry painfully.

3 They will hear the sound of the running horses and the noisy chariots and the rumbling chariot wheels. Parents will not help their children to safety, because they will be too weak to help.

4 The time has come to destroy all the Philistines. It is time to destroy all who are left alive who could help the cities of Tyre and Sidon. The Lord will soon destroy the Philistines, those left alive from the island of Crete.

5 The people from the city of Gaza will be sad and shave their heads. The people from the city of Ashkelon will be made silent. Those left alive from the valley, how long will you cut yourselves?