Jeremiah 47 DBY
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 the prophet Jeremiah concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh smote Gazah.
2Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall become an overflowing flood, 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 howl,
3at the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his steeds, at the rushing of his chariots, at the rumbling of his wheels: fathers shall not look back for [their] children, from feebleness of hands;
4because of the day that cometh to lay waste all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper that remaineth; for Jehovah will lay waste the Philistines, the remnant of the island of Caphtor.
5Baldness is come upon Gazah; Ashkelon is cut off, the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?
6Alas! sword of Jehovah, how long wilt thou not be quiet? Withdraw into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.
7How shouldest thou be quiet? — For Jehovah hath given it a charge: against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore, there hath he appointed it.
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