Jeremiah 47 1

Jeremiah 47:1 kjv

The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.

Jeremiah 47:1 nkjv

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

Jeremiah 47:1 niv

This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines before Pharaoh attacked Gaza:

Jeremiah 47:1 esv

The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh struck down Gaza.

Jeremiah 47:1 nlt

This is the LORD's message to the prophet Jeremiah concerning the Philistines of Gaza, before it was captured by the Egyptian army.

Jeremiah 47 verses

Jeremiah 47 1 meaning

This verse introduces a divine message delivered by Jeremiah concerning the Philistines, identifying the prophecy's origin as the LORD and its human channel as Jeremiah. It provides a specific historical timestamp for this revelation, indicating that it occurred "before Pharaoh attacked Gaza," highlighting God's foreknowledge and sovereignty over geopolitical events and the fate of nations.

Jeremiah 47 1 Context

Jeremiah 47:1 marks the beginning of a distinct prophecy concerning the Philistines, nested within a broader section of Jeremiah (chapters 46-51) dedicated to prophecies against foreign nations. This literary placement is significant, as it demonstrates YHWH's sovereign authority extending beyond Israel to the surrounding gentile nations. The Philistines, originating from the "sea peoples," were long-standing, perennial adversaries of Israel, continually in conflict from the time of the Judges through the monarchy. This prophecy, like others in the foreign nations' oracle section, highlights God's justice against those who have oppressed His people or acted with wickedness, ensuring that no nation is outside His jurisdiction. The specific historical detail, "before Pharaoh attacked Gaza," is crucial for dating and understanding the immediate geopolitical environment. Pharaoh Necho II (circa 609-605 BC) frequently traversed the coastal plains, which included Philistine territory, during his campaigns to contend with the rising power of Babylon after the fall of Assyria. This timing places the prophecy during a tumultuous period for Judah, caught between Egypt and Babylon, and underscores the prophetic word as pre-emptive and divinely informed, preceding a historical event.

Jeremiah 47 1 Word analysis

• The word (דְּבַר, dāḇār): More than a mere utterance; it carries weight, signifying an event, an instruction, or the revealed will and purpose of God. It implies divine origin and authority, making the message absolute.
• of the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): Refers to the covenant God of Israel, the uncreated, sovereign Creator. His name denotes His self-existence and active presence in history, ensuring the reliability and ultimate fulfillment of His word.
• that came (הָיָה, hāyâ): Lit. "it became" or "it happened." Denotes an active, dynamic divine transmission, not merely passive reception or inspiration. The word was not a human thought but a divine imposition on the prophet.
• to Jeremiah (אֶל-יִרְמְיָהוּ, ʾel Yirməyāhû): The prophet chosen as the vessel. His name often understood as "YHWH exalts" or "YHWH hurls down/establishes," reflecting his dual ministry of announcing destruction and restoration.
• the prophet (הַנָּבִיא, hannāḇîʾ): A divinely appointed spokesman, distinct from diviners or soothsayers. Jeremiah speaks God's words, not his own, imbuing the message with ultimate divine authority and truth.
• concerning (עַל, ʿal): Indicating the subject or target of the prophecy. It is specifically directed "against" or "regarding" the Philistines.
• the Philistines (פְּלִשְׁתִּים, Pəlištîm): A major non-Semitic ethnic group, traditionally seen as descending from Caphtor (Crete), who settled the southwest coast of Canaan. They were perennial antagonists of Israel, often worshiping gods like Dagon, representing a historical and theological opposition to YHWH and His people.
• before (בְּטֶרֶם, bəṭerem): A crucial temporal adverb, establishing the prophecy's dating. It signifies foreknowledge and prescience, confirming the divine origin as the LORD reveals future events before they happen.
• Pharaoh (פַּרְעֹה, Parʿōh): The traditional title of the Egyptian monarch, specifically Necho II (Nekau II) during this period. Represents a powerful gentile ruler whose actions, though driven by imperial ambition, unwittingly serve YHWH's broader plans.
• attacked (מַכֶּה, makkəh): Lit. "smiting" or "striking." Describes a violent military action or campaign, a physical invasion.
• Gaza (עַזָּה, ʿazzâ): One of the five primary Philistine city-states (along with Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, Ekron). Strategically located as a key passage between Egypt and Mesopotamia, its name likely meaning "strong" or "fortified," which lends ironic weight to its foretold vulnerability.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet": This is a common and critical prophetic formula. It strongly emphasizes the divine origin (the word of the LORD) and the authentic messenger (Jeremiah the prophet). This phrase signals that the following content is not Jeremiah's personal opinion or insight, but a direct revelation from YHWH, intended to be spoken with full authority and accuracy. It establishes the theological weight and inerrancy of the message.
• "concerning the Philistines": This phrase precisely identifies the direct recipient and subject of the upcoming oracle. It immediately places the prophecy within the broader narrative of YHWH's interaction with the nations surrounding Israel, showcasing His universal sovereignty even over long-standing enemies. It serves to focus the audience's attention on a specific external threat/power.
• "before Pharaoh attacked Gaza": This historical marker is a vital authentication. By explicitly stating the prophecy predates a verifiable historical event, it bolsters the credibility of Jeremiah as a true prophet of YHWH. It highlights divine foreknowledge and demonstrates that God is actively involved in the geopolitical machinations of the world, using even the actions of powerful gentile rulers like Pharaoh to fulfill His prophetic declarations and sovereign will.

Jeremiah 47 1 Bonus section

The Philistines were part of the broader "Sea Peoples" migrations who settled along the coastal plains of Canaan in the late Bronze Age (around 1200 BCE). Their arrival marked a significant cultural and military presence, evidenced by their distinctive pottery and five major city-states. Their perennial conflict with Israel highlights a key biblical theme: the persistent struggle between God's chosen people and pagan powers. In Jeremiah 47, the prophecy not only speaks of their political and military destruction but also implicitly serves as a polemic against their idolatry, demonstrating that their gods (like Dagon or Derceto, often associated with Ashkelon) were powerless before YHWH. The fact that an external, non-Israelite power like Egypt would be the instrument of God's judgment on the Philistines emphasizes the universal reach of God's sovereign hand, working through any means necessary to achieve His purposes for justice and history. These oracles against foreign nations within Jeremiah were also meant to comfort the remaining Judeans, reminding them that even though they faced divine judgment, God was still ultimately in control of all nations, and their enemies too would face His justice.

Jeremiah 47 1 Commentary

Jeremiah 47:1 serves as a foundational verse introducing a stark prophecy of judgment against the Philistines. The emphasis is squarely on God's sovereignty: it's "The word of the LORD," establishing His authority as the ultimate source, and it's delivered by "Jeremiah the prophet," God's chosen, reliable spokesman. The target, the Philistines, were historically relentless enemies of God's people, making this judgment a fulfillment of longstanding divine intention to address those who opposed Israel. Critically, the prophecy is dated "before Pharaoh attacked Gaza." This detail is not a mere timestamp but a profound theological statement. It asserts YHWH's prescience and control over history; He knew what Pharaoh would do and pronounced His word before the event unfolded. Pharaoh, acting out of his own national interests (likely Necho II in his campaigns through the coastal plain), became an unwitting instrument in YHWH's grand scheme of justice against a defiant people. The strong, fortified city of Gaza, representing Philistine power and security, would be unable to withstand the divinely sanctioned "attack," signifying that no human strength can stand against the decree of the Almighty. This prophecy underscores that all nations, even the most powerful, are accountable to God and serve, directly or indirectly, His divine purposes.