Jeremiah Chapter 47
Jeremiah 47
A Word of Judgment Against the Philistines
Jeremiah 47:1, Introduction
Jeremiah 47:1, “The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.”
Jeremiah 47 continues the section of Jeremiah’s prophecies against the nations. Jeremiah 46 dealt with Egypt. Jeremiah 47 turns to the Philistines, Israel’s ancient enemies along the southwestern coastal plain.
The Philistines had long been rivals and oppressors of Israel. They appear throughout the Old Testament in conflict with Samson, Saul, David, and the kings of Judah. Though their power had declined from earlier days, their cities still mattered politically and militarily.
This word came “before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.” Gaza was one of the chief Philistine cities. The prophecy is therefore given before the calamity reached Gaza. God announces judgment before it falls, showing again that history is under His command.
The judgment against the Philistines also shows that the LORD governs more than Judah. He judges His covenant people, but He also judges the nations around them. The Philistines are accountable to the God of Israel because He is Lord over all the earth.
Jeremiah 47:2-3, Judgment Comes from the North
Jeremiah 47:2-3, “Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl. At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;”
The LORD describes the invading power as waters rising out of the north. This is the same general direction from which Babylonian judgment came upon Judah. The image is an overflowing flood. The invader will not merely strike a border town and depart. He will overflow the land, the city, and those who dwell in it.
The flood image communicates overwhelming force. A flood does not negotiate with a field, a house, or a city. It rises, spreads, covers, and carries away. So the coming judgment will sweep over Philistia.
The sounds of judgment are vivid. Men cry. The inhabitants howl. Horses stamp their hoofs. Chariots rush forward. Wheels rumble. Jeremiah makes the reader hear the invasion before seeing it. The noise itself brings terror.
The terror will be so severe that fathers will not look back to their children because of “feebleness of hands.” This does not mean natural affection is gone in ordinary conditions. It means the panic of judgment will be so intense that even the strongest human ties are overwhelmed by fear. Courage collapses. Strength leaves the hands. The normal instinct to protect one’s children is crushed under terror.
This is the horror of divine judgment through war. The Philistines had been proud and violent, but now they will experience the helplessness they had brought upon others.
Jeremiah 47:4-5, The Afflicted Cities
Jeremiah 47:4-5, “Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor. Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?”
The judgment comes because “the day” has arrived. This is the appointed time when the Philistines will be spoiled. Their cities, alliances, and remaining strength will be stripped away.
The prophecy mentions Tyrus and Zidon, Phoenician cities rather than Philistine cities. The point seems to be that any remaining help from the coastal powers will be cut off. The Philistines will not be rescued by nearby allies. When the LORD appoints judgment, political partnerships cannot stop it.
The Philistines are called “the remnant of the country of Caphtor.” Caphtor is associated with the origin of the Philistines.
Amos 9:7, “Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir?”
This means the LORD knows the origin of nations. He knew Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. He knew the Philistines’ movement from Caphtor. He knew Syria’s origin. The God who judges the nations also knows their histories.
“Baldness is come upon Gaza.” Baldness here is a sign of mourning and humiliation. Gaza, the proud Philistine city, is brought low. Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley. Their coastal and valley strength is broken.
The phrase “how long wilt thou cut thyself?” points to mourning practices connected with pagan grief. Cutting oneself was forbidden to Israel.
Leviticus 19:28, “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.”
Deuteronomy 14:1, “Ye are the children of the LORD your God, ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.”
The Philistines mourn, but their mourning cannot reverse the judgment. Their grief is real, but repentance is absent from the text. The day has come, and the LORD will spoil the Philistines.
Jeremiah 47:6-7, The Sword of the LORD
Jeremiah 47:6-7, “O thou sword of the LORD, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still. How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it.”
Jeremiah now speaks to the sword of the LORD as though it were a living instrument. He asks how long it will be before the sword is quiet. He tells it to return to its scabbard, rest, and be still.
This is the cry of a prophet who sees the severity of judgment. Jeremiah is not bloodthirsty. He does not delight in destruction. He sees the sword cutting through Philistia and asks when it will stop.
But the answer comes, “How can it be quiet?” The sword cannot rest because the LORD has given it a charge. God has appointed it against Ashkelon and against the seashore. Until the appointed judgment is complete, the sword must continue.
This shows the difference between ordinary violence and divine judgment. The sword is not ultimate. Babylon, Egypt, or any other military power is not ultimate. The LORD is the One who appoints the sword and gives it a charge.
Ashkelon and the seashore represent Philistine territory along the coast. Their cities are not outside God’s reach. The sea does not protect them. Their alliances do not protect them. Their long history does not protect them. When the LORD appoints judgment, the sword cannot be quiet until His purpose is fulfilled.
There is also a broader spiritual principle. God’s word itself is called a sword.
Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
The sword of judgment in Jeremiah 47 did its appointed work against Philistia. The sword of God’s word still does its appointed work in the hearts of men. It exposes, cuts, convicts, judges, and heals according to God’s purpose.
Doctrinal and Practical Notes
Jeremiah 47 teaches that the LORD judges the nations. The Philistines were not Israel, but they were still accountable to the God of Israel.
Jeremiah 47 teaches that ancient enemies do not escape divine justice. The Philistines had long opposed Israel, and their day of judgment came.
Jeremiah 47 teaches that judgment can come like a flood. When God appoints judgment, human defenses and alliances cannot hold it back.
Jeremiah 47 teaches that fear can collapse natural courage. The fathers not looking back for their children shows the terror of the invasion.
Jeremiah 47 teaches that political alliances cannot save when God cuts off helpers. Tyrus and Zidon cannot provide deliverance.
Jeremiah 47 teaches that God knows the origins and histories of nations. He identifies the Philistines as the remnant of Caphtor.
Jeremiah 47 teaches that mourning cannot reverse judgment without repentance. Gaza and Ashkelon mourn, but the sword continues.
Jeremiah 47 teaches that the sword is under God’s command. The military instrument acts only because the LORD has given it a charge.
Jeremiah 47 teaches that God’s appointed work cannot be stopped until it is complete. The sword cannot be quiet while the LORD’s command remains.
Jeremiah 47 teaches that the word of God still cuts with divine authority. God’s sword against nations reminds us that His word pierces hearts.
Summary
Jeremiah 47 records the word of the LORD against the Philistines, given before Pharaoh smote Gaza. The Philistines were ancient enemies of Israel, but this prophecy shows that the LORD’s judgment extends to all nations.
God announces that waters will rise out of the north like an overflowing flood. The flood will overflow the land, the city, and all who dwell there. Men will cry, and the inhabitants will howl. The sounds of judgment will include the stamping hoofs of strong horses, rushing chariots, and rumbling wheels. The terror will be so great that fathers will not look back to their children because of feebleness of hands.
The appointed day comes to spoil all the Philistines and cut off every remaining helper from Tyrus and Zidon. The LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of Caphtor. Gaza will mourn in baldness. Ashkelon will be cut off with the remnant of the valley. The people will cut themselves in grief, but their mourning cannot stop the judgment.
Jeremiah then speaks to the sword of the LORD, asking how long it will be before it is quiet and telling it to return to its scabbard, rest, and be still. But the answer is that the sword cannot be quiet because the LORD has given it a charge against Ashkelon and the seashore. There He has appointed it.
