Jeremiah 47: A Flood From the North Sweeps the Philistines
A short, forceful oracle pictures Gaza and Ashkelon overrun before an unstoppable army.
Continuing the oracles against the nations begun in Jeremiah 46, this short chapter targets the Philistines just before Pharaoh strikes Gaza. An invading flood from the north is pictured overwhelming Tyre, Sidon, and every remaining Philistine city.
The wordes of the Lord that came to Ieremiah the Prophet, against the Philistims, before that Pharaoh smote Azzah.
Thus saith the Lord, Beholde, waters rise vp out of the North, and shalbe as a swelling flood, and shall ouerflowe the land, and all that is therein, and the cities with them that dwell therein: then the men shall crie, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howle,
At the noise and stamping of ye hoofes of his strong horses, at the noise of his charets, and at the rumbling of his wheeles: ye fathers shall not looke backe to their children, for feeblenes of handes,
Because of the day that commeth to destroy all the Philistims, and to destroy Tyrus, and Zidon, and all the rest that take their part: for the Lord will destroy the Philistims, the remnant of the yle of Caphtor.
Baldenes is come vpon Azzah: Ashkelon is cut vp with the rest of their valleys. Howe long wilt thou thy selfe?
O thou sword of the Lord, how long will it be or thou cease! turne againe into thy scaberd, rest and be still.
Howe can it cease, seeing the Lord hath giuen it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea banke? euen there hath he appointed it.