Jeremiah 47:1
The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
1 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָיָ֧ה
H1961
הָיָ֧ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
דְבַר
The word
H1697
דְבַר
The word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
3 of 14
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָ֛ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יִרְמְיָ֥הוּ
that came to Jeremiah
H3414
יִרְמְיָ֥הוּ
that came to Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
6 of 14
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
against the Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
against the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
9 of 14
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
בְּטֶ֛רֶם
H2962
בְּטֶ֛רֶם
Strong's:
H2962
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before
יַכֶּ֥ה
smote
H5221
יַכֶּ֥ה
smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
11 of 14
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
פַרְעֹ֖ה
before that Pharaoh
H6547
פַרְעֹ֖ה
before that Pharaoh
Strong's:
H6547
Word #:
12 of 14
paroh, a general title of egyptian kings
Cross References
Jeremiah 25:20And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,Genesis 10:19And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.1 Kings 4:24For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.
Historical Context
The Philistines occupied five coastal cities (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath) and had been Israel's perennial enemies since the judges period. Pharaoh Neco II (610-595 BC) briefly controlled the Levant after defeating Josiah in 609 BC, before Nebuchadnezzar defeated him at Carchemish (605 BC).
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Scripture emphasize that prophecy came "before" fulfillment?
- How do the oracles against foreign nations (chapters 46-51) demonstrate God's universal sovereignty?
- What does Pharaoh's temporary success followed by Babylon's dominance teach about trusting geopolitical power?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza (אֲשֶׁר־הָיָה דְבַר־יְהוָה אֶל־יִרְמְיָהוּ הַנָּבִיא אֶל־פְּלִשְׁתִּים בְּטֶרֶם יַכֶּה פַרְעֹה אֶת־עַזָּה)—The superscription establishes divine origin (davar YHWH, word of the LORD) and prophetic authority (hannavi, the prophet). Beterem (before) indicates Jeremiah prophesied prior to historical fulfillment, validating his prophetic credentials.
Gaza, one of five Philistine city-states, frequently appears in judgment oracles (Amos 1:6-7, Zephaniah 2:4, Zechariah 9:5). The phrase yakkeh Pharaoh (Pharaoh smote) likely references Pharaoh Neco's campaign (c. 609 BC) after Josiah's death at Megiddo, though some scholars suggest Pharaoh Hophra's later actions. Regardless, Egypt's temporary ascendancy would yield to Babylon's dominance.