The destruction of the Philistines.
1THE word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that 1Pharaoh 2smote 3Gaza.
1 Some conceive that Pharaoh-necho, in the lifetime of Josiah, had taken the land of the Philistines, and kept it until the coming of Nebuchadnezzar, before he marched up the first time toward Carchemish, of which here is prophesied. See Jer. 46:2. Likewise Jeremiah would have prophesied this at such time as Josiah was still in his prosperity.
2 Compare Jer. 46:13.
3 See Judges 1 on verse 18; Judges 16 on verse 1; Jer. 25:20; Amos 1:6.
2Thus saith the LORD; Behold, 4waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and 5all that is therein; the 6city, and them that dwell therein: then the 7men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.
4 Understand the great and dreadful army of the Babylonians (see this phrase Isa. 8:7), as continually in these prophesies by the north is meant Babel. Compare especially Jer. 25:9, etc. Though some conceive (from verse 1) that Pharaoh-necho did all this when he came back out of Syria from the north to the south after the death and overthrow of Josiah.
5 That is, its fulness. Compare Psalm 24:1; 89:11; 104:24.
6 As Jer. 46:8.
7 Hebr. man, and inhabitant.
3At the noise of the stamping of the 8hoofs of 9his 10strongahorses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels,b the fathers shall not look back to their children for 11feebleness of hands;
8 That is, of the claws.
9 Of the enemies.
10 See of the Hebrew word Psalm 22 on verse 12. Likewise Jer. 8:16; 50:11.
a Jer. 4:13; 6:23.
b Isa. 5:28.
11 On account of their want of courage. See 2 Sam. 4 on verse 1.
4Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off 12from Tyrusc and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant 13of the country of 14Caphtor.
12 Other, to cut off with or beside Tyrus (Hebr. Tsor) and Sidon every remaining helper. Compare Jer. 25:22; 27:3; Ezekiel chapters 26; 27; 28, and see of both these cities Gen. 10 on verse 15; Joshua 19 on verse 29. Hebr. every remaining one that helpeth.
c Jer. 25:22.
13 That is, of the region situated by or beyond the Mediterranean Sea. Hereof are several opinions; it may be that this land was situated between Egypt from Pathros and the land of the Philistines. See Psalm 72 on verse 10.
14 See Gen. 10:14; Deut. 2:23; Amos 9:7.
515Baldness is come upon Gaza; 16Ashkelond is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cute thyself?
15 That is, the inhabitants of Gaza shall make themselves bald as a sign of mourning. Likewise of making incision in the flesh. See Jer. 16 on verse 6.
16 Situated in the low grounds by the seaside. See Judges 14 on verse 19.
d Jer. 25:20.
e Deut. 14:1; Jer. 16:6.
6O thou 17sword of the LORD, 18how long will it be ere thou be quiet? 19put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.
17 Compare Jer. 25 on verse 29; Ezek. 21:8, 9, etc. Some take this to be a complaint of the Philistines about their misery.
18 That is, how long will it continue ere thou be quiet?
19 Hebr. be gathered, gather thyself, that is, commit thyself to the covering of thy scabbard. Of the use of this word see Psalm 26 on verse 9.
720How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath 21he appointed it.
20 These are the words of the prophet.
21 There the Lord has appointed the sword its place and time to rage. Compare Ezek. 25:16; Micah 6:9; Zeph. 2:5, 6.