Jeremiah 47:4

4 Because of the day that hath come to spoil all the Philistines, To cut off to Tyre and to Zidon every helping remnant. For Jehovah is spoiling the Philistines, The remnant of the isle of Caphtor.

Jeremiah 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.

Jeremiah 47:4 In-Context

2 `Thus said Jehovah: Lo, waters are coming up from the north, And have been for an overflowing stream, And they overflow the land and its fulness, The city, and the inhabitants in it, And men have cried out, And howled hath every inhabitant of the land.

3 From the sound of the stamping of the hoofs of his mighty ones, From the rushing of his chariot, the noise of his wheels, Fathers have not turned unto sons, From feebleness of hands,

4 Because of the day that hath come to spoil all the Philistines, To cut off to Tyre and to Zidon every helping remnant. For Jehovah is spoiling the Philistines, The remnant of the isle of Caphtor.

5 Come hath baldness unto Gaza, Cut off hath been Ashkelon, O remnant of their valley, Till when dost thou cut thyself?

6 Ho, sword of Jehovah, till when art thou not quiet? Be removed unto thy sheath, rest and cease.