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Jeremiah 47 - Simple English

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Read Jeremiah Chapter 47

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1This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before Pharaoh attacked Gaza.

2This is what the LORD says: "Look, waters are rising in the north. They will become a flood that overflows. They will cover the land and everything in it, the city and those who live in it. Then the men will cry out, and everyone who lives in the land will wail."

3"At the noise of the stamping hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots and the rumbling of his wheels, fathers will not turn back for their children, because their hands hang limp."

4"For the day is coming to destroy all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper who is left. For the LORD will destroy the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor."

5"Gaza has shaved its head in mourning. Ashkelon is cut off, with the rest of their valley. How long will you cut yourself?"

6"Sword of the LORD, how long until you are quiet? Go back into your sheath. Rest, and be still."

7How can it be quiet, when the LORD has given it a command? He has sent it against Ashkelon and against the sea shore. That is where he has appointed it.

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Explanation

Jeremiah 47

In short

God sends Jeremiah a message about the coming destruction of the Philistines and their cities. The prophet describes an overwhelming invasion from the north, and then in the final verses, he questions how the sword of the LORD can rest when it has been sent to destroy.

Context

This is a short prophecy against a foreign nation, the Philistines, who were enemies of Israel. It comes early in Jeremiah's book of judgments on surrounding peoples. The prophecy is dated to before an Egyptian pharaoh attacked Gaza, which helps place it historically. Jeremiah is speaking, or God is speaking through him, to announce what will happen.

What the text says

Verse 1 introduces this as God's word about the Philistines. Verse 2 describes the judgment: waters will rise from the north like a flood, overwhelming the land, cities, and people, who will cry out and howl. Verse 3 adds the sound of invasion: war horses stamping, chariots rushing, and wheels rumbling so terrible that fathers will not even look back at their children as they flee, too weak to help them. Verse 4 explains this day of destruction will strike all the Philistines and cut off their helpers in Tyre and Sidon (Phoenician cities). Verses 5 to 7 shift to a different voice. Verse 5 describes Gaza stripped bare like a shaved head, and Ashkelon cut off. Then the prophet questions: O sword of the LORD, will you not be quiet? Verse 7 answers that the sword cannot rest because God has commanded it against Ashkelon and the seashore, and God has appointed it to that work.

Takeaways

  • The passage pictures judgment as an overwhelming force, violent and unavoidable, from which even family bonds offer no escape.
  • God's instrument of judgment, once sent, continues its work until the mission is complete.
  • The prophet's final question shows both awe at the power of God's judgment and, possibly, a plea for it to end.

Explanation written with the help of AI. The Bible text above is not changed. Context and interpretation are flagged as such; always come back to the text itself.

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