Chapter 47

The destruction of the Philistines.

1. Word of the Lord. See on ch. 46:1. The Philistines had persecuted God’s people; now they were to receive a just retribution.

Philistines. People called Philistines were in Palestine as early as the time of Abraham (see on Gen. 21:32; Joshua 13:2), but they came in force in the great migration of Sea Peoples about 1200 b.c. (see on Gen. 10:14; also Vol. II, pp. 27, 33, 34, 47). They were among the principal opponents of the early Hebrews, but after the time of David they played a much less important role in the affairs of Israel.

Pharaoh smote Gaza. Historical information is too meager to identify this attack positively. There are several periods when such an assault by the Egyptians was possible. It could have occurred during the troubled period between Necho’s accession (610) and the early years of Nebuchadnezzar (604 or a little later), during which the Egyptians repeatedly marched up the coast to fight the Babylonians; or it may have been at the time of Apries’ invasion in 587, during the siege of Jerusalem. The only instance during Jeremiah’s lifetime of an Egyptian attack on Gaza of which there is historical record is that mentioned by Herodotus as being carried out by Necho II after a victory at “Magdolus,” the Greek form of Migdol, which means “fortress.” Its location is unknown. As Herodotus (ii. 159) says: Necho, having come to an engagement with the Syrians on land at Magdolus, conquered them, and after the battle took “the great Syrian city of Cadytis.” “Syria” here includes Palestine, and “Cadytis” is generally taken to be Gaza.

If this is the correct setting of the prophecy, it is to be dated in 609 b.c. or slightly later. If, on the other hand, Herodotus’ reference is not to Gaza, then it must be admitted that there is no direct evidence as to when this attack took place.

In Biblical times Gaza was the most important trading center in Palestine. It lay at the southern end of the fertile Philistine Plain, at the convergence of two of the chief highways of Palestine. Here the trade route from the eastern desert—with its wealth of iron and copper from the mines of Edom—joined the great Derek hayРyam, or “Way of the Sea,” the coastal highway running north from Egypt. Because of its position on this latter route the city was of great strategic importance. The Egyptians had used this road for almost 1,000 years as the usual route of their repeated invasions into Palestine and Syria. During the Eighteenth and Nineteenth dynasties, when the Egyptians dominated much of Palestine, Gaza was one of their chief administrative centers. In taking Gaza, any Pharaoh who invaded Palestine would thus secure a point from which to dominate the coast line, protect his communications with Egypt, and control much of the commerce of the country.

The fact that this message was given “before that Pharaoh smote Gaza” indicates that it was a predictive prophecy, a warning to the Philistines of impending doom. Compare Jonah’s message to Nineveh (Jonah 3).

2. Out of the north. If the Egyptian attack on Gaza was carried out by Necho on his return from Carchemish in 609 b.c. (see on v. 1), or soon after the battle at Megiddo earlier the same year, his approach to the Philistine Plain would have been from the north.

Some have understood vs. 1, 2 as referring to the domination of Palestine by the Babylonians, more serious and longer-lasting than the Egyptian inroads under either Necho or Apries. Verses 2–7 would then refer to the Babylonian invasions. According to this view v. 1 would point to the fact that before even the Egyptians attacked Gaza, the Lord had already warned the Philistines of the greater judgments to come upon them at the hands of the Babylonians.

4. Tyrus and Zidon. Tyre and Sidon dominated the coast north of the Philistine Plain and were evidently allied with the Philistines.

Country of Caphtor. Literally, “island of Caphtor,” that is, Crete, from which the Philistines had earlier migrated to the mainland (see on Gen. 10:14; also see Vol. II, pp. 33, 34).

Baldness. Perhaps a reference to a destruction of the city, a destruction so complete that the site would be left a bald hill, or tell (see on Joshua 11:13). The prophet may also have had in mind the thought of baldness as a sign of mourning, particularly in connection with his question, “How long wilt thou cut thyself?” Shaving the head and inflicting wounds upon the body were common expressions of grief (see Jer. 16:6; cf. Deut. 14:1).

Ashkelon. A leading Philistine city, about 12 mi. north of Gaza on the coastal road.

Valley. Heb. Фemeq, better, “a plain,” here the Philistine Plain.

6. How long? The prophet asks a rhetorical question to emphasize his statement in v. 7 that God has appointed these judgments on the Philistines.