The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh struck down Gaza.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse specifies this prophecy came before Pharaoh struck Gaza, which is crucial. It means Jeremiah is foretelling a future judgment on the Philistines that is distinct from, and perhaps even occurring around the same time as, this Egyptian military action, highlighting that the true enemy, and the ultimate instrument of God's wrath, would come from the north.
The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh struck down Gaza.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah is delivering a prophecy against the Philistines, a long-standing enemy of Israel. This word from the Lord comes at a specific historical moment: before Pharaoh Necho, the Egyptian king, captured the Philistine city of Gaza during his military campaign. While Necho's conquest of Gaza happened, the main threat looming over the region, and the ultimate instrument of judgment for the Philistines, is actually Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians, not the Egyptians.
This isn't just a random prophecy; it's timed. The Lord gives Jeremiah a specific window for this message about the Philistines. What does that tell us about God's timing and His word?
Jeremiah 47:1 is more than just an introduction; it's a time-stamp. The phrase 'before Pharaoh struck down Gaza' anchors this prophecy to a real historical moment. This tells us that God's word often comes to us with urgency, tied to the unfolding events of history.
A Prophecy Under Pressure
The Philistines were old enemies of God's people. But in this particular moment, Egypt, led by Pharaoh, is also involved. How does God view these shifting alliances and ongoing enmities?
This prophecy is directed 'against the Philistines,' underscoring their long-standing opposition to Israel. Yet, the specific timing connects them to Pharaoh's actions.
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Shifting Sands, Same Judgment
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
A title used for the God of Israel, revealing His personal name (Yahweh) and His covenantal relationship with His people. It signifies His absolute sovereignty, faithfulness, and eternal nature.
nabiy' · Hebrew Noun
Refers to a person chosen by God to receive divine revelations and proclaim them to the people, often acting as a mediator between God and humanity. Their message is authoritative because it originates from God, not themselves.
This prophecy was delivered during a period of shifting empires, just before the Babylonian dominance fully asserted itself. The Philistines, long-standing enemies of Judah, are warned of judgment at a time when Egypt, though powerful, was about to face a crushing defeat.
c. 609 BC
Pharaoh Necho's Campaign
Pharaoh Necho of Egypt marched north to aid the Assyrians, clashing with King Josiah of Judah at Megiddo. Necho won the battle but Josiah was killed.
c. 609 BC— this verse
Pharaoh Necho Captures Gaza
On his return from his northern campaign, Pharaoh Necho likely captured Gaza, one of the key Philistine cities. This event serves as the temporal marker for Jeremiah's prophecy.
605 BC
Battle of Carchemish
Pharaoh Necho's army was decisively defeated by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon at Carchemish. This marked the rise of Babylon as the dominant world power.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar II conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple, exiling many Judeans. This monumental event shaped the exilic experience for Jeremiah and his contemporaries.
This passage also speaks of judgment against the Philistines, showing a consistent prophetic concern for this region throughout Israel's history.
Ezekiel 25:15Similar to Jeremiah, Ezekiel pronounces judgment on the Philistines, highlighting their long-standing enmity with God's people and the coming divine retribution.
Zephaniah 2:4-5This passage directly predicts the devastation of Philistine cities, including Gaza and Ashkelon, providing a thematic parallel to Jeremiah's prophecy.
Jeremiah 25:20This verse broadly lists nations facing judgment, including the Philistines, placing the specific prophecy in Jeremiah 47 within a larger context of God's dealings with surrounding peoples.
Hosea 6:1Though dealing with Israel's backsliding, this verse's cry for God to heal after he has wounded echoes Jeremiah's lament in chapter 47:6, showing a shared human longing amidst divine judgment.
pulpitJeremiah 47:1: "The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza."
Verse 1. - Against the Philistines; rather, concerning (as usual in similar cases). Before that Pharaoh, etc. (see introduction to chapter).
barnesJeremiah 47:1: "The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza."
that Pharaoh - Pharaoh-Necho though defeated at Carchemish, was probably able to seize Gaza upon his retreat, when obviously the possession of so strong a fortress would be most useful to him to prevent the entrance of the victorious Chaldaeans into Egypt.
The verse specifies this prophecy came before Pharaoh struck Gaza, which is crucial. It means Jeremiah is foretelling a future judgment on the Philistines that is distinct from, and perhaps even occurring around the same time as, this Egyptian military action, highlighting that the true enemy, and the ultimate instrument of God's wrath, would come from the north.
Jeremiah is delivering a prophecy against the Philistines, a long-standing enemy of Israel. This word from the Lord comes at a specific historical moment: before Pharaoh Necho, the Egyptian king, captured the Philistine city of Gaza during his military campaign. While Necho's conquest of Gaza happened, the main threat looming over the region, and the ultimate instrument of judgment for the Philistines, is actually Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians, not the Egyptians.
Jeremiah is delivering a prophecy against the Philistines, a long-standing enemy of Israel. This word from the Lord comes at a specific historical moment: before Pharaoh Necho, the Egyptian king, captured the Philistine city of Gaza during his military campaign. While Necho's conquest of Gaza happened, the main threat looming over the region, and the ultimate instrument of judgment for the Philistines, is actually Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians, not the Egyptians.
"The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh struck down Gaza." — The verse specifies this prophecy came before Pharaoh struck Gaza, which is crucial. It means Jeremiah is foretelling a future judgment on the Philistines that is distinct from, and perhaps even oc…
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Last reviewed October 2026