Jeremiah 47 ASV
Summary: This short oracle is directed against the Philistines, prompted by Pharaoh's earlier attack on Gaza. It pictures an invading force sweeping in from the north like overflowing floodwaters, engulfing the land and its cities and causing fathers to be too weak with fear to turn back for their children. Gaza and Ashkelon are singled out for destruction, their people shaving their heads and cutting themselves in mourning rites, and the oracle closes by asking how long the sword of the LORD, commissioned against the Philistine coast, will continue before it is finally sheathed.
1The word of Jehovah that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.
2Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall become an overflowing stream, and shall overflow the land and all that is therein, the city and them that dwell therein; and the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall 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 look not back to their children for feebleness of hands;
4because of the day that cometh to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper that remaineth: for Jehovah will destroy the Philistines, the remnant of the isle of Caphtor.
5Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is brought to nought, the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?
6O thou sword of Jehovah, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard; rest, and be still.
7How canst thou be quiet, seeing Jehovah hath given thee a charge? Against Ashkelon, and against the sea-shore, there hath he appointed it.
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