Jeremiah 47 7

Jeremiah 47:7 kjv

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.

Jeremiah 47:7 nkjv

How can it be quiet, Seeing the LORD has given it a charge Against Ashkelon and against the seashore? There He has appointed it."

Jeremiah 47:7 niv

But how can it rest when the LORD has commanded it, when he has ordered it to attack Ashkelon and the coast?"

Jeremiah 47:7 esv

How can it be quiet when the LORD has given it a charge? Against Ashkelon and against the seashore he has appointed it."

Jeremiah 47:7 nlt

"But how can it be still
when the LORD has sent it on a mission?
For the city of Ashkelon
and the people living along the sea
must be destroyed."

Jeremiah 47 verses

Jeremiah 47 7 Meaning

This verse pronounces judgment upon the Philistines for their aggression and destruction, particularly against Judah. It declares that the Lord is laying waste to them and their allies, consuming them like a destructive fire. This judgment is a consequence of their violent actions and serves as divine retribution for their hostility towards God's people.

Jeremiah 47 7 Context

Jeremiah chapter 47 primarily focuses on the prophecies against the Philistines. The preceding verses establish that this prophecy came before Pharaoh's strike against Gaza, indicating an imminent threat or action against this coastal region. The chapter as a whole reveals God's judgment upon the Philistines for their historical enmity towards Israel, their violent practices, and their pride. Verse 7, in particular, is a declaration of impending divine destruction upon them for their violence and cruelty directed at Judah. This fits within the broader prophetic context of Jeremiah, who consistently announced God's judgment against nations that oppressed or acted wickedly towards His people, while also offering a message of hope and eventual restoration for Israel. The Philistines, being long-standing enemies of Israel, were often targets of prophetic judgment, reflecting the ongoing conflict and God's covenantal faithfulness to protect His people.

Jeremiah 47 7 Word Analysis

• "Woe" (Hebrew: ה֥וֹי - hoy): This is a strong exclamation of sorrow, distress, and condemnation. It signifies impending disaster and divine judgment.

• "to": Indicates the recipient of the action.

• "you": Refers to the Philistines and their associated territories.

• "inhabitants" (Hebrew: יוֹשֵׁבֶת - yoshevet): Literally means "dweller" or "inhabitant." It emphasizes the people residing in a place.

• "of": Connects "inhabitants" to the subsequent descriptive phrases.

• "the": Definite article, specifying particular entities.

• "valley" (Hebrew: גַּיְא - gay): A gorge or ravine, often referring to a place of battle or devastation. It could refer to a literal geographical valley or a symbolic place of doom.

• "of the": Possessive.

• "heap" (Hebrew: גָּל – gal): A pile or mound, often of ruins, debris, or refuse. It signifies complete destruction and utter ruin.

• "said" (Hebrew: אָמַר – amar): Standard verb for speaking or declaring.

• "the": Definite article.

• "Lord" (Hebrew: יְהוָה – Yahweh): The covenantal name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship with His people and His sovereign authority.

• "God": Denotes the divine nature of Yahweh, reinforcing His power and status.

• "like": Introduces a simile or comparison.

• "that": Conjunction introducing a subordinate clause.

• "cometh" (Hebrew: בָּא – ba): The verb "to come," indicating arrival or impending occurrence.

• "a": Indefinite article.

• "burning" (Hebrew: שָׂרֵף – saref): From the root "sarap," meaning to burn. It implies a consuming, destructive fire.

• "fire": Represents divine wrath and judgment, a powerful and total destructive force.

• Word-group analysis:

  • "Valley of the heap": This phrase evokes a devastating battlefield where destruction is so complete that it creates a massive pile of ruins. It could refer to the Valley of Hinnom, which became associated with judgment and destruction, or a more general symbolic representation of their demise.
  • "Lord God...like that which is burning fire": This comparison highlights the totality and ferocity of God's judgment. His wrath is portrayed as an all-consuming fire that will utterly annihilate the Philistines.

Jeremiah 47 7 Bonus Section

The historical context places this prophecy in the period of Assyrian and Babylonian ascendancy. The Philistines, as a long-standing enemy of Israel, had a history of incursions and oppressions. Their geographical location on the coast meant they were frequently involved in regional conflicts. This verse reflects God's active role in history, not only punishing His own people for disobedience but also judging foreign nations for their wickedness and their opposition to God's purposes for Israel. The theme of divine judgment as a "consuming fire" is a recurring motif in the Old Testament, illustrating the intensity of God's anger against sin and rebellion. Examples include the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19), and the fiery judgment described for unrepentant Israel (Isaiah 10:17-18). The mention of "valley of the heap" could also hint at a future siege where their cities are reduced to rubble, a fate experienced by many ancient cities.

Jeremiah 47 7 Commentary

This verse unequivocally pronounces God's judgment upon the Philistines. The "woe" is not merely an expression of pity, but a prophetic declaration of impending doom. Their ultimate destruction is likened to a "burning fire," symbolizing a complete and unquenchable wrath that will consume them entirely. This judgment is specifically linked to their destructive actions, implying that their violence against Judah and other peoples has drawn the attention and the punitive action of the Almighty. The imagery of a consuming fire underscores the totality of the destruction that God intends to bring upon them, leaving no remnant. This serves as a reminder that God's justice will ultimately prevail against those who engage in cruel and oppressive acts, especially against His chosen people. The verse powerfully conveys that their chosen means of aggression will ultimately become the instrument of their own demise.