Study Desk

A Message About the Philistines

This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines^(a) before Pharaoh attacked Gaza:^(b)

This is what the Lord says: "See how the waters are rising in the north;^(c) 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 wail^(d)

at the sound of the hooves of galloping steeds, at the noise of enemy chariots^(e) and the rumble of their wheels. Parents will not turn to help their children; their hands will hang limp.^(f)

For the day has come to destroy all the Philistines and to remove all survivors who could help Tyre^(g) and Sidon.^(h) The Lord is about to destroy the Philistines,⁽ⁱ⁾ the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor.^[a](j)

Gaza will shave^(k) her head in mourning; Ashkelon^(l) will be silenced. You remnant on the plain, how long will you cut^(m) yourselves?

"‘Alas, sword⁽ⁿ⁾ of the Lord , how long till you rest? Return to your sheath; cease and be still.'^(o)

But how can it rest when the Lord has commanded it, when he has ordered it to attack Ashkelon and the coast?"^(p)