Jeremiah 47:2

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 47:2

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 47:2

Waters rise up out of the north - Waters is a common prophetic image for a multitude of people. The north here, as in other places of this prophecy, means Chaldea. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 47:2

Verse 2 The Prophet, no doubt, wished to remind the Jews that it would only be a prelude when Gaza was plundered, and that a far more grievous punishment was impending over that ungodly nation, which had done so many wrongs to God’s people. For if Gaza had suffered only that loss, the Jews might have complained of their lot, as those ungodly men who had acted so wickedly and in so many ways provoked God’s vengeance, had lightly suffered. They might then have objected and said, “What can this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 47:1-7

PROPHECY ON THE PHILISTINES . But which Pharaoh did this editor mean? and when did he lay siege to Gaza? The general view is that he means Pharaoh-necho, who, according to Herodotus (2:159), first defeated "the Syrians at Magdolus," and then "made himself master of Cadytis, a large city of Syria." It is assumed that Magdolus is a mistake for Megiddo, and that Cadytis means Gaza; and the former supposition is probable enough (a similar confusion has been made by certain... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 47:1-7

The judgment of the Philistines. I. A JUDGMENT ON THE ANCIENT ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD . They have long ceased to be a power; now they shall cease to have any national existence. They are but a remnant; even this is to be cut off. Gradually the spiritual foes of the Christian are reduced in power and number. Old sins and old temptations are slowly subdued. Some linger on till the end of life. But all shall be overthrown, even the last enemy, death. II. AN ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 47:2

Waters rise up. The prophets think in figures, and no figure is so familiar to them (alas for the unstable condition of those times!) as that of an overflowing torrent for an invading army (see on Jeremiah 46:8 , and add to the parallel passages Isaiah 28:18 ; Ezekiel 26:19 ; Daniel 11:10 ). Out of the north. To suppose that this refers to Pharaoh-necho returning from Carchemish seems forced and unnatural. If Necho conquered Gaza at the period supposed, it would be on his way to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 47:2-4

Hostile bands advance from the north; horror seizes the Philistines. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 47:2

Waters rise up - A metaphor for the assembling of an army (compare the marginal references).Out of the north - The Chaldaean army must cross the Euphrates at Carchemish.An overflowing flood - Or, “torrent.” To understand the metaphors of the Bible we must keep the natural phenomena of the country in mind. In Palestine rivers are torrents, dashing furiously along in the rainy seasons, and dry, or nearly so, in the summer.All that is therein - The marginal rendering contrasts the wealth of Egypt,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 47:2-3

Jeremiah 47:2-3. Behold, waters rise out of the north Waters sometimes signify multitudes of people and nations, Revelation 17:15; sometimes great and threatening calamities, Psalms 69:1, these waters mean both. By the north, in this prophecy, the country of the Chaldeans is intended, from whence it is here foretold an army should come and overflow the land like a deluge, spreading devastation and destruction everywhere. At the noise of the stamping, &c. The word שׁעשׂת , here... read more

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