Jeremiah 47 3

Jeremiah 47:3 kjv

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;

Jeremiah 47:3 nkjv

At the noise of the stamping hooves of his strong horses, At the rushing of his chariots, At the rumbling of his wheels, The fathers will not look back for their children, Lacking courage,

Jeremiah 47:3 niv

at the sound of the hooves of galloping steeds, at the noise of enemy chariots and the rumble of their wheels. Parents will not turn to help their children; their hands will hang limp.

Jeremiah 47:3 esv

At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his stallions, at the rushing of his chariots, at the rumbling of their wheels, the fathers look not back to their children, so feeble are their hands,

Jeremiah 47:3 nlt

Hear the clatter of stallions' hooves
and the rumble of wheels as the chariots rush by.
Terrified fathers run madly,
without a backward glance at their helpless children.

Jeremiah 47 verses

Jeremiah 47 3 Meaning

The Philistines, like mighty warriors, advance with their chariots, their horses trampling and disturbing the waters, like an overflowing flood. This signifies the overwhelming and destructive force of the Philistine army invading Judah.

Jeremiah 47 3 Context

Jeremiah 47 is a prophetic oracle against the Philistines. The chapter follows the oracle against Egypt in chapter 46. The prophecy describes an impending invasion and destruction of Philistia by a powerful enemy, likely the Babylonians or Egyptians, though the text primarily focuses on the devastating effects of the invasion. Verse 3 vividly depicts the approach of this conquering army, emphasizing their speed, noise, and overwhelming force. This oracle serves to inform Judah of impending events in the region and to contrast their own potential judgment with the impending doom of their long-time adversaries. The Philistines were historically enemies of Israel, and this prophecy speaks of God's justice against them.

Jeremiah 47 3 Word Analysis

• לָ֔כֶם (lakem) - to you, for you (plural masculine). Directly addresses the inhabitants of Judah.
• עֹלֶ֣ה (olah) - ascend, go up, rise up. Indicates movement, often with force.
• כַּיְאֹ֑ר (kay'or) - like the Nile, like Egypt.
  • כִּי (ki) - as, like, when.
  • יְאֹ֥ר (y'or) - river (specifically the Nile in Egyptian context). The Nile River was known for its floods and power.
• נַהֲרֹתָ֑יו (naharotav) - his floods, his rivers. Plural of flood/river, emphasizing abundance and overwhelming nature.
• כָּעָ֑ה (ka'ah) - now. Emphasizes the immediacy of the action described.
• עוֹלָלָה (olah) - a flood, inundation. Repeated for emphasis of overwhelming nature.
• רִגְלֵ֥י (rigley) - feet, steps (plural feminine). Refers to the feet of the advancing army, implying a widespread impact.
• יֶֽעָמֽוּד (ye'amud) - to stand up, to be set, to be fixed. Implies firmness, stability. The people stand up in confusion or opposition to the approaching force.
• לַ֥גֶשׁ (lagesh) - to press, to crush, to oppress. Suggests forceful movement and impact.
• מַּרְכַּבְתָּ֖יו (markavtav) - his chariots. Refers to the chariots of the invading army.
• פַּעֲמֵי (pa'amey) - steps, paces (dual feminine). Highlights the movement of the chariots, specifically the pacing or beat.
• סוּסָ֑יו (susav) - his horses. Refers to the horses pulling the chariots.
• רַעַשׁ (ra'ash) - rattling, noise, roaring, thunder.
• סוּסִ֔ים (susim) - horses (plural masculine).
• גְּלִ֣ילוֹת (g'lilot) - wheels (plural feminine).
• מַרְכֻבוֹת (markuvot) - chariots (plural feminine).
• רִמְזוּ (rimzu) - rattling, rattling sound.
• עֲגָלָה (agalh) - wheel (singular feminine). The text uses the singular form in a collective sense.

Word Group Analysis:

• "לָכֶם עֹלֶ֣ה כַיְאֹ֑ר נַהֲרֹתָ֑יו כָּעָ֑ה עוֹלָלָה" (To you ascend as the Nile, his floods; now, an inundation). This opening uses vivid imagery of the Nile's floods, a symbol of overwhelming power and inundation, to describe the approaching enemy force. The comparison signifies the destructive and irresistible nature of the invasion directed at Judah.
• "וּגְלִ֣ילֹת סוּסָ֑יו רַעַשׁ מַּרְכַּבְתָּ֖יו פַּעֲמֵי רַעַשׁ סוּסִ֔ים גְּלִילֹ֥ת מַרְכֻבֹֽת (and the wheels of his horses, the noise of his chariots, the pounding of horses, the rolling of chariots). This is a highly onomatopoeic phrase. The repetition of "רַעַשׁ" (ra'ash - noise/rattling) and the detailed description of wheels and horses pounding and rolling create an auditory experience for the reader, amplifying the sense of the army's powerful and thunderous approach.

Jeremiah 47 3 Bonus Section

The specific mention of "wheels" (גְּלִילוֹת, g'lilot) and "chariots" (מַרְכֻבוֹת, markuvot) points to the advanced military technology of the era, particularly the Philistines' known strength in chariotry, as seen in other parts of Scripture like 1 Samuel 13:5. The noise ("רַעַשׁ", ra'ash) created by these forces is deliberately emphasized, signifying not just the physical sound, but a spiritual disruption and alarm. This linguistic choice aims to instill a sense of awe and terror in the listener, mirroring the disorienting chaos of war. The prophet uses auditory imagery to create a visceral experience of invasion, mirroring how divine judgments are often described as accompanied by terrifying sounds or pronouncements.

Jeremiah 47 3 Commentary

Jeremiah 47:3 uses powerful sensory details to convey the terror of an approaching military force. The imagery of the Nile's inundation underscores the overwhelming nature of the invaders. Their chariots are not just objects of war, but instruments of immense noise and power, their wheels and horses creating a deafening din. This isn't just a description of military might; it’s an announcement of divine judgment on the Philistines, highlighting that even their advanced weaponry is subject to God’s ultimate authority. The prophecy emphasizes the inevitability of their destruction by showcasing the overwhelming nature of their aggressors. This verse prepares the audience for the devastation to come.

• The relentless sound of war machines foreshadows impending doom.
• The comparison to a flooding river signifies an uncontrollable, devastating force.
• God uses the armies of nations as instruments of His judgment, even against other nations.