1.
The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.
The Forty-Third Prophecy of Jeremiah (see book comments for Jeremiah).
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
against = concerning. Compare Jeremiah 48:1 ; Jeremiah 49:1 , Jeremiah 49:7 , Jeremiah 49:23 .
before. To show that this prophecy was not the anticipation of human foresight.
Pharaoh. Pharaoh-necho, after his victory over Josiah (2 Kings 23:29 . 2 Chronicles 35:20 ).
Gaza. Hebrew. 'azzah (with 'eth). Now Ghuzzeh. Still standing at the time of this prophecy (the fourth year of Jehoiakim). Not Carchemish, for compare 2 Kings 24:7 .
2.
Thus 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.
Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos.
waters. The symbol of the Chaldean armies.
the north. Compare Jeremiah 46:20 .
men. Hebrew ' adam .
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 his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;
strong horses. Compare Jeremiah 8:16 .
rushing = rattling.
children = sons.
4.
Because 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.
the day that cometh. Compare Jeremiah 46:10 .
Tyrus and Zidon. The same origin as the Philistines.
the country = the sea coast.
Caphtor. Not identified. Perhaps Crete, whence the Philistines emigrated (Genesis 10:14 .Deuteronomy 2:23 .Amos 9:7; Amos 9:7 ).
5.
Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?
Baldness = the sign of mourning. Compare Jeremiah 16:6 .
Ashkelon. Now 'Aakalan.
their valley. Septuagint reads "Anakim" instead of 'imkam.
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 still.
sword of the LORD. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:41 ).
7.
How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it.
How . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.