Bible Strands
Jeremiah 47:1
This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet about the Philistines before Pharaoh struck down Gaza.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The text attributes the message to the LORD, delivered through Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines prior to Pharaoh's military strike on Gaza. This establishes a historical moment of impending judgment before a specific royal campaign.
The words — The phrase דְבַר־יְהוָה (de.var-Yah.weh) literally renders "word of Yahweh," marking the message as divine origin rather than human counsel. The verb הָיָה (ha.Yah) translates as "it came," emphasizing the passive reception of the oracle.
The thread — The oracle against Gaza and the Philistines echoes the broader prophetic tradition of judgment on neighboring nations, as seen in Jeremiah 25:20. The geographic focus on Gaza also aligns with its earlier identification as a southern boundary marker in Genesis 10:19.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that historical military events, even those led by foreign kings, occur within the scope of divine declaration. It requires the reader to trace human conflict back to its stated origin without attributing moral approval to the violence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 25:20 all the mixed tribes; all the kings of Uz; all the kings of the Philistines: Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod;
- Genesis 10:19 and the borders of Canaan extended from Sidon toward Gerar as far as Gaza, and then toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha.
- Exodus 25:15 The poles are to remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be removed.
- 1 Kings 4:24 For Solomon had dominion over everything west of the Euphrates—over all the kingdoms from Tiphsah to Gaza—and he had peace on all sides.
- Zechariah 9:5 Ashkelon will see and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, as will Ekron, for her hope will wither. There will cease to be a king in Gaza, and Ashkelon will be uninhabited.
- Amos 1:6 This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Gaza, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they exiled a whole population, delivering them up to Edom.
- Zephaniah 2:4 For Gaza will be abandoned, and Ashkelon left in ruins. Ashdod will be driven out at noon, and Ekron will be uprooted.