Jeremiah's prophecy uniquely employs water imagery ("overflowing stream") to describe military conquest, contrasting with his typical fire and sword metaphors for divine judgment.
Jeremiah 47
Prophecy Against the Philistines
1The LORD’s word that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh struck Gaza.
2The LORD says: “Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and will become an overflowing stream, and will overflow the land and all that is therein, the city and those who dwell therein. The men will cry, and all the inhabitants of the land will wail.
3At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong ones, at the rushing of his chariots, at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers don’t look back for their children because their hands are so feeble,
4because of the day that comes to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper who remains; for the LORD will destroy the Philistines, the remnant of the isle of Caphtor.
5Baldness has come on Gaza; Ashkelon is brought to nothing. You remnant of their valley, how long will you cut yourself?
6“‘You sword of the LORD, how long will it be before you are quiet? Put yourself back into your scabbard; rest, and be still.’
7“How can you be quiet, since the LORD has given you a command? Against Ashkelon, and against the seashore, there he has appointed it.”
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Theme
Jeremiah 47 presents God's prophetic judgment against the Philistines, Israel's longtime coastal neighbors and enemies. The prophecy uses vivid imagery of waters from the north (representing Babylonian forces) overwhelming the Philistine cities like Gaza and Ashkelon, bringing complete devastation. The chapter emphasizes that this destruction comes by divine appointment, with God's sword executing judgment that cannot be stopped until His purposes are fulfilled.
Context
This chapter continues Jeremiah's oracles against foreign nations (chapters 46-51), moving from Egypt to the Philistines as part of God's comprehensive judgment on the ancient Near East.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1 Prophetic Introduction The word of the LORD comes to Jeremiah concerning the Philistines before Pharaoh's attack on Gaza.
- 2-4 Waters of Destruction from the North God describes the coming invasion as overwhelming floods that will destroy Philistine cities and cut off their allies.
- 5-6 Mourning and Desolation The aftermath shows Gaza and Ashkelon in mourning, with a plea for God's sword of judgment to cease.
- 7 Divine Appointment Cannot Be Stopped God responds that His sword cannot rest because He has commanded it against the Philistine coastland.
Prophecy Against the Philistines
47:1–47:7 prophecy wrathful
God's prophetic judgment against the Philistines, describing their coming destruction through military invasion from the north. The prophecy emphasizes God's sovereign control over the judgment, using imagery of overwhelming waters and military conquest.
person_contrast
Jeremiah's prophecy uniquely employs water imagery ("overflowing stream") to describe military conquest, contrasting with his typical fire and sword metaphors for divine judgment.
Insights
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Jeremiah 47:1 1 reference
Jeremiah 47:2 1 reference
Jeremiah 47:3 2 references
Jeremiah 47:4 3 references
Lexicals 3
Jeremiah 25:22 Lexical
and all the kings of Tyre, all the kings of Sidon, and the kings of the isle which is beyond the sea;
Amos 1:8 Lexical
I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him who holds the scepter from Ashkelon; and I will turn my hand against…
Ezekiel 25:16 Lexical
therefore the Lord GOD says, “Behold, I will stretch out my hand on the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites,…
Jeremiah 47:5 5 references
Lexicals 5
Jeremiah 25:20 Lexical
and all the mixed people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, all the kings of the Philistines, Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron,…
Deuteronomy 14:1 Lexical
You are the children of the LORD your God. You shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the…
Zephaniah 2:4 Lexical
For Gaza will be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation. They will drive out Ashdod at noonday, and Ekron will be rooted up…
Judges 1:18 Lexical
Also Judah took Gaza with its border, and Ashkelon with its border, and Ekron with its border.
Zechariah 9:5 Lexical
Ashkelon will see it, and fear; Gaza also, and will writhe in agony; as will Ekron, for her expectation will be disappoi…
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