Jeremiah Chapter 47 — Judgment on the Philistines
Jeremiah delivers a prophecy of judgment against the Philistines, describing a coming invasion from the north that will devastate their coastal cities.
1The LORD’s word that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh struck Gaza.
2The LORD says:
3At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong ones,
4because of the day that comes to destroy all the Philistines,
5Baldness has come on Gaza;
6“ ‘You sword of the LORD, how long will it be before you are quiet?
7“How can you be quiet,
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Jeremiah 47:2
“The LORD says: 'Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall become an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land and all that is in it, the city and those who dwell in it.'”
This verse uses the powerful imagery of a flood to describe the overwhelming and unstoppable nature of the coming invading army.
Jeremiah 47:6
“You sword of the LORD, how long will it be before you are quiet? Put yourself back into your sheath; rest, and be still.”
This poetic address highlights the weariness of war while acknowledging that the conflict is part of a larger divine purpose.
Chapter Summary
Jeremiah 47 contains a specific prophecy concerning the Philistines, delivered before Pharaoh struck Gaza. The chapter describes an approaching disaster from the north, likened to an overflowing flood that will overwhelm the land, its cities, and all who dwell in them. The text emphasizes the terror of the inhabitants, noting that fathers will be too weak with fear to help their children. The destruction specifically targets Gaza and Ashkelon, along with the remnants of their allies. The chapter concludes with a personification of the 'sword of the LORD,' asking when it will finally rest. It answers its own question by stating that the sword cannot be quiet because the LORD has given it a command to execute judgment against the seacoast.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Philistines were an ancient people residing along the southern coast of Canaan. In this chapter, they are the subjects of a specific prophecy of judgment that foretells the destruction of their major cities like Gaza and Ashkelon.
The flood from the north symbolizes a massive invading army, generally identified by historians as the Babylonians. The metaphor suggests a force so large and powerful that it completely covers and destroys everything in its path.
The 'sword of the LORD' is a metaphor for divine judgment carried out through historical events and human armies. The text indicates that the violence isn't random but is a directed consequence decreed by God against the region.
Study Note
The mention of Pharaoh striking Gaza in verse 1 provides a rare chronological marker that helps scholars date this prophecy to the period of Egyptian and Babylonian conflict.
Related Chapters
Jeremiah 46
This chapter is part of a series of prophecies against foreign nations, with the previous chapter focusing on Egypt.
Jeremiah 48
The sequence of judgments continues in the following chapter with a prophecy against Moab.
Ezekiel 25
This chapter in Ezekiel also contains prophecies against the Philistines and other neighboring nations of Israel.
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