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 word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before Pharaoh smote Gaza.
Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is in it; 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:
Because of the day that cometh to lay waste all the Philistines, [and] to cut off from Tyre and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will lay waste 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?
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.