Read & explore together
Judgment on the Philistines
Jeremiah 47:1–7 is Yahweh’s message about the Philistines. Through images of floodwaters, war noise and a sword, the passage shows a coming judgement that will not become quiet because Yahweh has commanded it.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
The passage opens by naming Yahweh as the speaker and Jeremiah as the prophet, and says this word concerns the Philistines before Pharaoh struck Gaza. The prophecy then focuses on what is coming: overwhelming ruin, public grief and Yahweh’s appointed action against named places.
Jeremiah 47:1–7Main takeaway
This prophecy teaches that the coming judgement on the Philistines is sweeping, fearful and directed by Yahweh’s command.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Yahweh’s word about the PhilistinesThe first verse identifies both source and subject. This is Yahweh’s word, it comes to Jeremiah the prophet, and it concerns the Philistines.
Explanation
The first verse identifies both source and subject. This is Yahweh’s word, it comes to Jeremiah the prophet, and it concerns the Philistines. The note about Pharaoh striking Gaza gives a time reference, but the verse’s main point is that this message is a prophetic word from Yahweh.
02An overflowing disasterYahweh describes what is coming like waters rising from the north and becoming an overflowing stream.
Explanation
Yahweh describes what is coming like waters rising from the north and becoming an overflowing stream. The image reaches land, city and inhabitants, so the judgement is pictured as widespread. The response is also direct: people cry and all the inhabitants wail.
03Noise, panic and destructionThe prophecy next uses the sound of hoofs, chariots and wheels. Fear is so great that fathers do not look back for their children because their hands are feeble.
Explanation
The prophecy next uses the sound of hoofs, chariots and wheels. Fear is so great that fathers do not look back for their children because their hands are feeble. Then the reason is given: a day is coming to destroy the Philistines and cut off remaining helpers, and Yahweh will destroy them.
04The sword cannot be quietGaza and Ashkelon are named as the passage speaks of loss and self-cutting. A cry then asks the sword of Yahweh to be quiet and return to its scabbard.
Explanation
Gaza and Ashkelon are named as the passage speaks of loss and self-cutting. A cry then asks the sword of Yahweh to be quiet and return to its scabbard. The answer is no: it cannot be quiet, because Yahweh has commanded and appointed it against Ashkelon and the seashore.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What images show the strength of the coming judgement?
Notice the overflowing waters, the war sounds and the sword of Yahweh, and describe what each picture adds.
02How does the passage describe people’s response?
Look for the words about crying, wailing, feeble hands and fathers not looking back.
03Why can the sword not rest?
Answer from the final line: Yahweh has given it a command and appointed it against specific places.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Jeremiah 47:1–7
1Yahweh’s word that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh struck Gaza.
2Yahweh says: “Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and will become an overflowing stream, and will overflow the land and all that is therein, the city and those who dwell therein. The men will cry, and all the inhabitants of the land will 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 don’t look back for their children because their hands are so feeble,
4because of the day that comes to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper who remains; for Yahweh will destroy the Philistines, the remnant of the isle of Caphtor.
5Baldness has come on Gaza; Ashkelon is brought to nothing. You remnant of their valley, how long will you cut yourself?
6“ ‘You sword of Yahweh, how long will it be before you are quiet? Put yourself back into your scabbard; rest, and be still.’
7“How can you be quiet, since Yahweh has given you a command? Against Ashkelon, and against the seashore, there he has appointed it.”