Jeremiah 47 2

Jeremiah 47:2 kjv

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.

Jeremiah 47:2 nkjv

Thus says the LORD: "Behold, waters rise out of the north, And shall be an overflowing flood; They shall overflow the land and all that is in it, The city and those who dwell within; Then the men shall cry, And all the inhabitants of the land shall wail.

Jeremiah 47:2 niv

This is what the LORD says: "See how the waters are rising in the north; they will become an overflowing torrent. They will overflow the land and everything in it, the towns and those who live in them. The people will cry out; all who dwell in the land will wail

Jeremiah 47:2 esv

"Thus says the LORD: Behold, waters are rising out of the north, and shall become an overflowing torrent; they shall overflow the land and all that fills it, the city and those who dwell in it. Men shall cry out, and every inhabitant of the land shall wail.

Jeremiah 47:2 nlt

This is what the LORD says: "A flood is coming from the north
to overflow the land.
It will destroy the land and everything in it ?
cities and people alike.
People will scream in terror,
and everyone in the land will wail.

Jeremiah 47 verses

Jeremiah 47 2 Meaning

Jeremiah 47:2 describes the divine judgment coming upon the Philistines, indicating their devastation by the waters rising from the north. It signifies a complete and overwhelming destruction, presented as an unavoidable flood of divine wrath.

Jeremiah 47 2 Context

Jeremiah 47 addresses the impending doom of the Philistines, a long-standing enemy of Israel. This prophecy likely refers to the military campaign of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon against this region, which began around 600 BC. The Philistine coast was subject to invasions from various powers throughout Israel's history, including the Assyrians and Babylonians. The prophet is delivering a message of judgment upon these nations as part of God's sovereign plan for Israel's history and a demonstration of His power over all nations.

Jeremiah 47 2 Word analysis

• "Thus": (Hebrew: כֹּה, koh) - This is an adverb or interjection indicating "so" or "thus." It signals that what follows is a declaration or pronouncement, often from God. It emphasizes the definitive nature of the statement being made.

• "says": (Hebrew: אָמַר, amar) - A common verb meaning "to say," "to speak," or "to tell." Here it signifies divine speech.

• "the Lord": (Hebrew: יְהוָה, Yahweh) - The covenant name of God, emphasizing His relationship with Israel and His sovereign power.

• "the word": (Hebrew: דָּבָר, davar) - This word means "word," "thing," "matter," or "event." It signifies the message or pronouncement that is being delivered by the prophet.

• "came": (Hebrew: הָיָה, hayah) - A basic verb meaning "to be," "to happen," or "to come to pass." It indicates the divine origin and impartation of the message to Jeremiah.

• "to": (Hebrew: אֶל, el) - A preposition indicating direction or to whom something is directed.

• "Jeremiah": (Hebrew: יִרְמְיָהוּ, Yirmeyahu) - The prophet's name, meaning "Yahweh exalts" or "Yahweh throws."

• "the prophet": (Hebrew: הַנָּבִיא, han-navi') - The definite article "ha-" with "navi," meaning "the prophet." Jeremiah is identified as God's spokesperson.

• "concerning": (Hebrew: עַל, al) - A versatile preposition meaning "upon," "against," "concerning," or "about." It indicates the subject matter of the prophecy.

• "the Philistines": (Hebrew: פְּלִשְׁתִּים, Plištîm) - Refers to the people inhabiting the coastal plain of Canaan, a persistent adversary of Israel.

• "Because": (Hebrew: מִן, min / כִּי, ki - context dependent on translation of 'from') - The original Hebrew likely uses phrases that imply a causal link or description of what is happening. For instance, "from" (min) can introduce a source or reason. Some translations interpret the structure as explaining why the word came concerning them, or what the word is.

• "that": (Hebrew: כִּי, ki or conjunctions depending on the specific Hebrew phrasing, possibly related to the preceding locution or introducing a descriptive clause.) - Connects clauses or introduces descriptive phrases.

• "waters": (Hebrew: מַיִם, mayim) - A plural noun for "water." In prophetic imagery, water often symbolizes hostile armies, divine judgment, or overwhelming forces.

• "rise": (Hebrew: עוֹלִים, olim) - Present participle of the verb "to go up," "to ascend," or "to rise." It indicates an active and ongoing movement or impending arrival.

• "from": (Hebrew: מִן, min) - Indicates the origin or source of the waters.

• "north": (Hebrew: צָפוֹן, tsafon) - Refers to the northern direction. In biblical prophecy, the north is frequently associated with the source of invading armies and divine judgment (e.g., Assyria, Babylon).

• "even": (Hebrew: כִּי, ki) - An intensifier, signifying emphasis.

• "country": (Hebrew: אָרֶץ, 'erets) - Meaning "land" or "earth." Here it specifies the geographical area affected.

• "and": (Hebrew: וְ, wə) - Conjunction joining phrases or clauses.

• "its": (Implied in the structure) - Possessive pronoun relating to the land.

• "fulness": (Hebrew: מְלֹאָהּ, məlo'ah) - Means "fulness," "fullness," "completeness," or "that which fills." It refers to the entirety of the land and its inhabitants.

• " thereof": (Refers back to "country" or "land").

• Groups of Words/Phrases:

  • "The word of the Lord came...": This is a common prophetic formula indicating the divine origin and transmission of the message through the prophet. It establishes the authority of the prophecy.
  • "waters rise from the north": This is a powerful metaphor for an invading army. The north was the direction from which major military threats to Israel and Judah typically emerged. The "rising waters" signify an overwhelming, unstoppable force, much like a flood that engulfs and destroys everything in its path. The "fulness thereof" emphasizes the completeness of the devastation.
  • "concerning the Philistines": This phrase identifies the recipient of God's judgment, highlighting that even foreign nations are subject to His sovereignty and justice when they act in opposition to His purposes or oppress His people.

Jeremiah 47 2 Bonus section

The imagery of waters as destructive invading forces is found elsewhere in Scripture, emphasizing their overwhelming and consuming nature. The "north" consistently symbolizes the direction of divine judgment through invading armies, originating from empires like Assyria and Babylon. The prophecy here highlights God’s judgment not only on His own people but also on the surrounding nations, underscoring His universal sovereignty and His active involvement in the affairs of all nations. The Philistines, as perpetual adversaries of Israel, are fitting recipients of such judgment for their historical oppression and perhaps specific actions against God's people.

Jeremiah 47 2 Commentary

This verse marks the beginning of a judgment oracle against the Philistines. The "waters rising from the north" is a classic prophetic metaphor representing a powerful, invading army originating from the north, which was the direction from which major military threats often came (like Assyria and Babylon). The imagery evokes a flood that will completely inundate and destroy the land and its people. It signifies an inescapable, overwhelming judgment. The message declares that God, in His sovereignty, uses earthly powers as instruments of His wrath against those who oppose Him or act unjustly. The specific historical context is likely the Babylonian conquest under Nebuchadnezzar, which significantly weakened and ultimately subjugated the Philistine cities. The destruction is described as total ("its fulness"), implying complete eradication or at least a devastating loss of power and population for the Philistines.