The big picture
Jeremiah 47 opens in verse 1 with “The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 4 with “Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus…”, and closes in verse 7 with “How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, Philistines, Ashkelon, Gaza, land. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Jeremiah · King James Version · 7Jeremiah 47:1-7
1–7: The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the…
Jeremiah 47:1–7 opens with “The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that…” and reaches “How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jeremiah 47 develops its own movement around LORD, Philistines, Ashkelon, Gaza, land, with particular weight carried by LORD, Philistines, Ashkelon.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that…” By verse 4, the text has turned to “Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and…” It lands on “How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 3 questions, 5 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
Accusation, warning, invitation to return, judgment, and hope each do different work. The prophet’s first audience anchors later questions about fulfillment. Words such as LORD, Philistines, Ashkelon, Gaza, land, long tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Jeremiah 47 develops its own movement around LORD, Philistines, Ashkelon, Gaza, land,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Philistines, Ashkelon, Gaza, Baldness, Because, Caphtor. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 5: “Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: LORD, Philistines, Ashkelon, Gaza, land, long
Verse-by-verse path
- Jeremiah 47:1
“The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.” Naming Gaza and Jeremiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Jeremiah 47:2
“Thus saith the LORD ; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Jeremiah 47:3
“At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Jeremiah 47:4
“Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
- Jeremiah 47:5
“Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
- Jeremiah 47:6
“O thou sword of the LORD , how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
- Jeremiah 47:7
“How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
Jeremiah 47:1-7
King James Version1The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.
2Thus saith the LORD ; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.
3At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;
4Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.
5Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?
6O thou sword of the LORD , how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.
7How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it.
Questions to keep in mind while reading
- Identify the historical crisis, covenant failure, warning, and promised hope.
- Distinguish the prophet’s immediate audience from later biblical connections.
- Do not turn present-day headlines into confident fulfillment claims without textual evidence.
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.
Questions beneath the surface
- What account of God, human freedom, responsibility, and the good life emerges from Jeremiah 47?
- Which tension does the chapter refuse to resolve quickly?
- What changes when the chapter is read as part of the whole canon rather than as an isolated moral story?
- Where might a sincere reader confuse a familiar tradition with something the text states directly?
Questions for serious personal contemplation
These open-ended questions make room for tension, honest response, prayer, and conclusions that remain accountable to the chapter.
Observe without rushing
What part of Jeremiah 47 makes you stop, feel unsettled, or feel surprised, and why?
Which detail in the passage would be easiest to overlook? How does that detail change your understanding?
Where do you see tension between what happens and this focus: Jeremiah 47 develops its own movement around LORD, Philistines, Ashkelon, Gaza, land?
What important question does the passage leave open instead of resolving quickly?
Examine your inner life honestly
Which person, response, fear, or desire in the passage feels most like your own life right now?
What assumption about God, other people, or yourself does this text challenge?
Which part would you rather soften, avoid, or explain away too quickly? What might that reaction reveal?
If this Scripture could ask you one direct question, what do you think it would ask?
Respond with wisdom and courage
What do you need to remember, confess, grieve, thank God for, or trust after reading this passage?
How might another faithful person read this situation differently without ignoring the text?
What obedient response would be costly, uncomfortable, or slow, yet still faithful to Scripture?
What question will you carry into prayer this week, and which verses will you keep in front of you?