1This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines before Pharaoh attacked Gaza:2This is what the Lord says: ‘See how the waters are rising in the north; they will become an overflowing torrent. They will overflow the land and everything in it, the towns and those who live in them. The people will cry out; all who dwell in the land will wail3at the sound of the hooves of galloping steeds, at the noise of enemy chariots and the rumble of their wheels. Parents will not turn to help their children; their hands will hang limp.4For 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.[1]5Gaza will shave her head in mourning; Ashkelon will be silenced. You remnant on the plain, how long will you cut yourselves?6‘ “Alas, sword of the Lord, how long till you rest? Return to your sheath; cease and be still.”7But how can it rest when the Lord has commanded it, when he has ordered it to attack Ashkelon and the coast?’
1The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh struck down Gaza. (Jer 25:20; Eze 25:15; Am 1:6; Zep 2:4; Zep 2:5)2“Thus says the Lord: Behold, waters are rising out of the north, and shall become an overflowing torrent; they shall overflow the land and all that fills it, the city and those who dwell in it. Men shall cry out, and every inhabitant of the land shall wail. (Isa 8:7; Jer 1:13; Jer 8:16; Jer 46:7)3At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his stallions, at the rushing of his chariots, at the rumbling of their wheels, the fathers look not back to their children, so feeble are their hands, (Jer 46:5; Na 3:2)4because 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. (Ge 10:14; Isa 23:1; Jer 25:22; Jer 47:1; Joe 3:4; Am 1:8; Am 9:7)5Baldness has come upon Gaza; Ashkelon has perished. O remnant of their valley, how long will you gash yourselves? (Jud 1:18; Isa 3:24; Jer 25:20; Jer 48:37)6Ah, sword of the Lord! How long till you are quiet? Put yourself into your scabbard; rest and be still! (De 32:41; Eze 21:3)7How can it[1] be quiet when the Lord has given it a charge? Against Ashkelon and against the seashore he has appointed it.” (Jud 1:18; Jer 25:20; Eze 14:17; Mic 6:9)