Ezekiel 25:16
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֗ן
H3651
לָכֵ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כֹּ֤ה
H3541
כֹּ֤ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 18
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
נוֹטֶ֤ה
Behold I will stretch out
H5186
נוֹטֶ֤ה
Behold I will stretch out
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
7 of 18
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
יָדִי֙
mine hand
H3027
יָדִי֙
mine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
8 of 18
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
upon the Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
upon the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
10 of 18
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וְהִכְרַתִּ֖י
and I will cut off
H3772
וְהִכְרַתִּ֖י
and I will cut off
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
11 of 18
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְהַ֣אֲבַדְתִּ֔י
and destroy
H6
וְהַ֣אֲבַדְתִּ֔י
and destroy
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
14 of 18
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
1 Samuel 30:14We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.Ezekiel 25:13Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword.Ezekiel 25:7Behold, therefore I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen; and I will cut thee off from the people, and I will cause thee to perish out of the countries: I will destroy thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.2 Samuel 15:18And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
Historical Context
The Philistines, likely originating from the Aegean region (Crete/Cyprus), settled Palestine's coastal plain circa 1200 BC. After Babylonian conquest, they never recovered distinct identity, being absorbed by surrounding peoples under Persian and Hellenistic rule.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the disappearance of Israel's ancient enemies validate biblical authority?
- What does the survival of God's people despite persistent opposition teach about His faithfulness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God would 'cut off the Cherethims' (likely Cretans, possibly Philistines' origin per Amos 9:7) and 'destroy the remnant of the sea coast.' The Philistines would cease to exist as a distinct people. Their name would survive ironically—'Palestine' derives from 'Philistia'—but no ethnic Philistines remain. This demonstrates that those who persistently oppose God's purposes face oblivion.