Jeremiah 47:4
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.
Original Language Analysis
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַיּ֗וֹם
Because of the day
H3117
הַיּ֗וֹם
Because of the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 21
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַבָּא֙
that cometh
H935
הַבָּא֙
that cometh
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
3 of 21
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
שֹׁדֵ֤ד
to spoil
H7703
שֹׁדֵ֤ד
to spoil
Strong's:
H7703
Word #:
4 of 21
properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
all the Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
all the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
7 of 21
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
לְהַכְרִ֤ית
and to cut off
H3772
לְהַכְרִ֤ית
and to cut off
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
8 of 21
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
וּלְצִיד֔וֹן
and Zidon
H6721
וּלְצִיד֔וֹן
and Zidon
Strong's:
H6721
Word #:
10 of 21
tsidon, the name of a son of canaan, and of a place in palestine
כֹּ֖ל
H3605
כֹּ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שֹׁדֵ֤ד
to spoil
H7703
שֹׁדֵ֤ד
to spoil
Strong's:
H7703
Word #:
15 of 21
properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage
יְהוָה֙
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
all the Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
all the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
18 of 21
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
שְׁאֵרִ֖ית
the remnant
H7611
שְׁאֵרִ֖ית
the remnant
Strong's:
H7611
Word #:
19 of 21
a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion
Cross References
Amos 9:7Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir?Isaiah 20:6And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape?Deuteronomy 2:23And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)Psalms 37:13The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.Jeremiah 46:10For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.Ezekiel 7:12The time is come, the day draweth near: let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn: for wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.Ezekiel 21:25And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,Ezekiel 21:29Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of them that are slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end.Hosea 9:7The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.
Historical Context
This was fulfilled by Babylonian conquest. The Philistines, ancient enemies of Israel, faced the same judgment as Judah - showing God's impartiality in justice.
Questions for Reflection
- How do earthly alliances prove futile when facing God's judgment?
- What does God's judgment on Israel's enemies teach about His sovereignty?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The prophecy against Philistia emphasizes total destruction - God will 'cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth.' The Philistines would lose all allies. This demonstrates that human alliances fail when God decrees judgment. The rhetorical question 'how long will it be ere thou be quiet?' (v6) emphasizes the unstoppable nature of divine judgment once unleashed.