Yirmeyah 47:3

3 At the noise of the stamping of the hooves of his mighty steeds, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the avot shall not look back to their banim for the limpness of their hands;

Yirmeyah 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.

Yirmeyah 47:3 In-Context

1 7 The Devar Hashem that came to Yirmeyah HaNavi against the Pelishtim (Philistines), before Pharaoh smote Azah (Gaza).

2 Thus saith Hashem: Hinei, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the Ir, and them that dwell therein; then the adam shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall wail.

3 At the noise of the stamping of the hooves of his mighty steeds, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the avot shall not look back to their banim for the limpness of their hands;

4 Because of the Yom HaBah for destroying all the Pelishtim (Philistines), and to cut off from Tzor and Tzidon every helper that remaineth; for Hashem will destroy the Pelishtim (Philistines), the remnant of the coast of Caphtor.

5 The shaved head has come upon Azah (Gaza); Ashkelon is silenced. Remnant of their valley, how long wilt thou cut thyself?