Jeremiah 47

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 47

This chapter reads the Philistines their doom, as the former read the Egyptians theirs and by the same hand, that of Nebuchadnezzar. It is short, but terrible; and Tyre and Zidon, though they lay at some distance from them, come in sharers with them in the destruction here threatened. I. It is foretold that the forces of the northern crowns should come upon them, to their great terror, Jer. 47:1-5. II. That the war should continue long, and their endeavours to put an end to it should be in... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 47:1-7

As the Egyptians had often proved false friends, so the Philistines had always been sworn enemies, to the Israel of God, and the more dangerous and vexatious for their being such near neighbours to them. They were considerably humbled in David's time, but, it seems they had got head again and were a considerable people till Nebuchadnezzar cut them off with their neighbours, which is the event here foretold. The date of this prophecy is observable; it was before Pharaoh smote Gaza. When this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 47

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 47 This chapter contains a prophecy of the destruction of the Philistines chiefly; and also of the Tyrians and Zidonians. The title of the prophecy, Jeremiah 47:1 ; the instruments of this destruction, who are compared to overflowing waters; which would cause great lamentation in the inhabitants of the places where they should come, Jeremiah 47:2 ; the noise of their horses and chariots would be so terrible, as to make parents flee and leave their own children,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 47:1

The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines ,.... As the former prophecies were against the Egyptians, the friends and allies of the Jews, in whom they trusted; this is against the Philistines, the near neighbours of the Jews, and their implacable enemies: the time of this prophecy was, before Pharaoh smote Gaza ; one of the five cities of the Philistines, a very strong and fortified place, as its name signifies; See Gill on Acts 8:26 . The Jews, in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 47:2

Thus saith the Lord, behold, waters rise up out of the north ,.... Meaning an army of men, which should come in great numbers, and with great force and rapidity, like an overflowing flood. So the Targum, "behold, people shall come from the north;' that is, from Chaldea, which lay north of Palestine: and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein ; or, "the fulness of it" F21 ומלואה "et plenitudinem ejus", Schmidt, &c.; ; the land... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 47:3

At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses ,.... The noise of the cavalry of Nebuchadnezzar's army, as they came marching on towards the country of the Philistines; who, being mounted on strong prancing horses, made a great noise as they came along, and were heard at a distance: at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling, of his wheels ; the rattling and clatter the chariot wheels made; in which rode the chief officers and generals, with other mighty men:... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 47:4

Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines ,.... The time appointed by the Lord for their destruction, which should be universal: and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth ; these were cities in Phoenicia, which bordered on the country of the Philistines, who were their auxiliaries in time of distress; but now, being wasted themselves, could give them no help when Nebuchadnezzar attacked them; as he did Tyre particularly, which he besieged... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 47:5

Baldness is come upon Gaza ,.... The Targum is, "vengeance is come to the inhabitants of Gaza.' It is become like a man whose hair is fallen from his head, or is clean shaved off; its houses were demolished; its inhabitants slain, and their wealth plundered; a pillaged and depopulated place. Some understand this of shaving or tearing off the hair for grief, and mourning because of their calamities; which agrees with the latter clause of the verse: Ashkelon is cut off with the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 47:6

O thou sword of the Lord ,.... For though it was the sword of the Chaldeans, yet being appointed and sent by the Lord, and having a commission from him, and being ordered and directed in his providence to do his will, it is called his sword: how long will it be ere thou be quiet ? and cease from destroying men; wilt thou not cease till thou hast no more to destroy? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still ; and make no more havoc among the people: these are either the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 47:7

How can it be quiet ,.... There is no reason to believe it will, nor can it be expected that it should; to stop it is impossible, and to request that it might be stopped is in vain: seeing the Lord hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the seashore ? for it had a commission from the Lord to destroy the inhabitants of Ashkelon, and other places, which lay still more towards the sea, as Joppa and Jamne; and indeed all Palestine lay on the coast of the Mediterranean sea: ... read more

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