Jeremiah 47 4

Jeremiah 47:4 kjv

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.

Jeremiah 47:4 nkjv

Because of the day that comes to plunder all the Philistines, To cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper who remains; For the LORD shall plunder the Philistines, The remnant of the country of Caphtor.

Jeremiah 47:4 niv

For the day has come to destroy all the Philistines and to remove all survivors who could help Tyre and Sidon. The LORD is about to destroy the Philistines, the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor.

Jeremiah 47:4 esv

because of the day that is coming to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper that remains. For the LORD is destroying the Philistines, the remnant of the coastland of Caphtor.

Jeremiah 47:4 nlt

"The time has come for the Philistines to be destroyed,
along with their allies from Tyre and Sidon.
Yes, the LORD is destroying the remnant of the Philistines,
those colonists from the island of Crete.

Jeremiah 47 verses

Jeremiah 47 4 Meaning

Jeremiah 47:4 pronounces an imminent, divinely orchestrated judgment upon the Philistines. It states that the day is coming when they will be utterly devastated, and their external support from influential Phoenician cities like Tyre and Sidon will be completely cut off. The verse emphasizes that this destruction is not merely a political or military event but an action directly willed and executed by the Lord, targeting the entire Philistine nation, identified as the remnant from the island of Caphtor.

Jeremiah 47 4 Context

Jeremiah 47 is part of a larger section (Jer. 46-51) known as the "Oracles Against the Nations," where the prophet proclaims God's judgment upon various foreign peoples surrounding Judah. These prophecies underscore the Lord's universal sovereignty and His justice extending beyond Israel to all nations. Specifically, chapter 47 is directed against the Philistines, Judah's ancient and perennial enemies to the southwest. Historically, this prophecy likely relates to either Pharaoh Neco's advance towards Carchemish (ca. 609 BCE) or more strongly, Nebuchadnezzar's destructive campaigns after the Battle of Carchemish (ca. 605-604 BCE), during which Ashkelon (a major Philistine city) was devastated in 604 BCE. The context asserts that these major historical upheavals are not random events but divinely appointed moments of judgment against nations that have defied or oppressed God's people, or whose pride and idolatry warranted divine wrath.

Jeremiah 47 4 Word analysis

• because of (מִיּוֹם - mi-yom): Literally "from the day" or "because of the day." This prepositional phrase indicates causation and timing. It signals that the upcoming judgment is rooted in a specific, divinely ordained time, often referred to as "the day of the Lord" when divine intervention takes place.
• the day (יוֹם - yom): Refers to a specific, appointed time, usually a day of decisive divine action and judgment, implying suddenness and finality.
• that is coming (בָּא - ba): A present participle, indicating an ongoing or imminent process. It conveys certainty and inevitability. The judgment is not merely a possibility but a certain reality approaching quickly.
• to devastate (לִשְׁדוֹת - lishdot): From the verb שָׁדַד (shadad), meaning to lay waste, destroy, plunder, or spoil. The infinitive here expresses the purpose of the coming day—complete and utter destruction.
• all (כֹּל - kol): An intensifying quantifier, emphasizing the totality and comprehensiveness of the judgment. No one is spared within the targeted group.
• the Philistines (פְּלִשְׁתִּים - Pəlištîm): The nation inhabiting the coastal plain southwest of Judah, perpetual antagonists of Israel, tracing their lineage back to the Aegean region. Their specific naming underlines the direct and targeted nature of God's wrath.
• and to cut off (לְהַכְרִית - ləhakhrit): From the Hiphil infinitive construct of כָּרַת (karat), meaning to cut off, destroy, exterminate, or separate. This signifies absolute eradication, particularly from community, land, or even existence as an independent entity. It implies divine execution of irreversible judgment.
• from Tyre (מִצֹּר - mi-Tsōr) and Sidon (צִידֹוֹן - Tsîdōn): Prominent Phoenician (Lebanese) maritime city-states known for their wealth, trade, and strong alliances. They were important regional players and sometimes allies or trade partners with the Philistines.
• every (כָּל - kol): Again, emphasizing comprehensiveness, but here referring to the complete cessation of any remaining aid.
• helper (עֹזֵר - ozer): From the verb עָזַר (‘azar), meaning "to help" or "to aid." This noun refers to one who provides assistance or support.
• that remains (נִשְׁאָר - niš'ār): A Nifal participle, indicating what is left over, remaining. The phrase "every helper that remains" powerfully signifies that any last vestige of external support, no matter how small, will be severed.
• For (כִּי - ki): A causal conjunction, providing the reason or explanation for the preceding statement.
• the Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His sovereignty, faithfulness, and power as the true orchestrator of events. His name being linked directly to the act highlights His personal involvement and divine agency.
• will devastate (שֹׁדֵד - šoded): A Qal participle, serving as an active descriptor. The Lord is actively devastating, plundering. This reiterates that He is the primary agent behind the Philistines' destruction, not human armies alone.
• the remnant (שְׁאֵרִית - še’ērît): A portion or remainder. In this context, it implies that the Philistines, though powerful, are only a remnant of their original settlement or have become diminished over time. It can also imply a portion of the coastline that belongs to them.
• of the coastland (אִי - ‘î): Often translated "island" but can also refer to "coastland" or "coast" in a broader sense, indicating their maritime origin and habitation along the sea.
• of Caphtor (כַּפְתּוֹר - Kaphtôr): Generally identified with Crete or a region in the Aegean Sea. This ancient origin points to the Philistines as invaders who settled the coastal plain of Canaan. Referencing Caphtor recalls their historical foreignness and God's control over their movements, serving as a reminder of their non-native status and vulnerability to God's ultimate decree.

• "the day that is coming to devastate all the Philistines": This phrase announces a specific, divinely appointed moment for complete destruction, underscoring that the downfall is pre-ordained by God, not simply a geopolitical accident. It establishes the nature of the judgment as total and pervasive.
• "and to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper that remains": This segment reveals the comprehensive nature of the judgment. Not only will the Philistines be destroyed, but their external lifelines—allies, trade partners, sources of support—will be utterly severed, signifying a complete isolation and lack of recovery. This illustrates that God's judgment can extend to disrupting international alliances.
• "For the Lord will devastate the Philistines, the remnant of the coastland of Caphtor": This clause reaffirms divine agency and solidifies the identification of the target. "For the Lord will devastate" leaves no doubt as to the cause. Describing them as "the remnant of the coastland of Caphtor" serves as a historical and theological anchor, highlighting their origin as immigrants subject to God's decree, contrasting with the indigenous people they displaced. This also emphasizes that even their original powerful homeland cannot save them.

Jeremiah 47 4 Bonus section

The destruction of Philistia, and the severance of their Phoenician support, serves as a microcosm of God's broader judgment against all who oppose His will or His people. The specificity of Tyre and Sidon implies that even seemingly unshakeable commercial and military powers will find their efforts futile against the Lord's decrees. This verse reminds us that God's power extends beyond religious boundaries to shape geopolitical outcomes, demonstrating that human empires, even the mightiest, are transient when contrasted with divine authority. It also reflects the biblical principle that nations are held accountable for their actions and often face judgment through other nations, as divine instruments.

Jeremiah 47 4 Commentary

Jeremiah 47:4 serves as a potent declaration of divine sovereignty over all nations, even those seemingly strong and historically antagonistic to Israel. The verse's opening, "because of the day that is coming," frames the impending destruction as a pre-ordained event, part of God's wider "Day of the Lord" judgment. The detailed emphasis on "all the Philistines" and "every helper that remains from Tyre and Sidon" paints a picture of comprehensive and unavoidable doom, leaving no avenue for escape or external aid. This highlights that God's judgment is thorough, disrupting not just a nation's internal structures but also its entire network of external alliances and dependencies. The powerful declaration "For the Lord will devastate" underscores that this is not merely a historical coincidence or a victory of one earthly power over another, but a direct act of Yahweh, who brings about historical events to fulfill His righteous decrees. The mention of "the remnant of the coastland of Caphtor" reminds the audience of the Philistines' foreign origins, reinforcing the theme of God's authority over the movements and destinies of all peoples, regardless of their perceived strength or heritage. This prophecy offers comfort to Judah that their oppressors are also subject to God's ultimate justice, reinforcing God's righteous character and His active role in the affairs of the world.