because 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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that the Philistines, once a formidable enemy, are now reduced to a mere "remnant of the coastland of Caphtor," emphasizing their weakened state and historical origins as a conquered or displaced people. This wasn't just a geopolitical shift; it was the LORD actively stripping away even their remaining allies, showing a complete divine judgment against them.
because 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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet is detailing God's judgment, which will fall not only on the Philistines but also on their Phoenician neighbors, Tyre and Sidon. This destruction is described as a coming "day of the Lord," where all allies will be cut off, leaving the Philistines as a diminished people from their ancestral homeland, Caphtor. This judgment is part of a broader devastation orchestrated by God, impacting the entire region.
The Bible speaks of 'days' of judgment, but what makes a day in God's plan so significant?
Jeremiah 47:4 announces a specific 'day' that is 'coming' not just for the Philistines, but also impacting Tyre and Sidon. This isn't just any day; it's a day of divine reckoning, a day when the Lord intervenes decisively.
The Lord's Intervention
This 'day' signifies a turning point, a moment ordained by God for judgment and consequence. It's described as a day 'to spoil' and 'to cut off.' This language emphasizes the totality of the divine action – nothing will be left untouched.
Connected Judgments
Jeremiah doesn't just focus on one enemy. He links the Philistines, Tyre, and Sidon, showing how God's judgment unfolds across nations and alliances. This interconnectedness highlights that when God acts, the ripples are far-reaching.
What does it mean for a nation, once powerful, to be reduced to a mere 'remnant'?
The Philistines are described in Jeremiah 47:4 not as a mighty empire, but as 'the remnant of the coastland of Caphtor.' This is a significant detail.
Loss of Strength
This 'remnant' status indicates that the Philistines had already suffered greatly. They were no longer the formidable force that had often oppressed Israel. Their power had waned due to previous conflicts and divine judgments. They were what was left after other disasters had struck.
Ask a follow-up
The Origin of a People
The 'coastland of Caphtor' points to their origins, likely a region in or near Egypt, or possibly Crete. The prophetic word here has an ethnic and historical dimension. By referencing their origins and their reduced state, Jeremiah underscores that their former strength and alliances (like with Tyre and Sidon) could offer no ultimate protection against the Lord's judgment.
Understand the original words
shadad · Hebrew Verb
Refers to the act of God bringing ruin or judgment upon a nation, city, or individual as a consequence of sin. It is often described as an act of divine justice and sovereignty over the nations of the world.
she'erith · Hebrew Noun
A small group or portion of a people that remains after a period of judgment or exile. In theology, it often refers to those whom God spares to preserve His promise or people, though here it signifies the remainder of a judged nation.
This prophecy against the Philistines unfolds during Nebuchadnezzar's relentless expansion and conquest. The destruction of Philistia is directly linked to the Babylonian campaign against Tyre, highlighting how the region's alliances and defenses crumbled under the might of the Babylonian Empire.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, deports a portion of Jerusalem's elite, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon. This event marks the beginning of Judah's vassalage to Babylon.
c. 589-586 BC
Siege and Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar lays siege to Jerusalem, culminating in the city's destruction and the second, larger deportation of Judeans to Babylon. This event signifies the end of the southern kingdom of Judah.
c. 570s BC— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar's Siege of Tyre
Nebuchadnezzar undertakes a lengthy siege against the island city of Tyre, a major Phoenician power. While Tyre eventually yields, the effort demonstrates Babylon's reach and military might.
c. 570s BC
Destruction of Philistine Cities
In conjunction with the campaign against Tyre, Babylonian forces likely devastated the remaining Philistine cities along the coast, fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy.
This passage echoes Jeremiah's judgment on the Philistines, highlighting God's anger and the complete destruction of their enemies from the coastlands, a theme that resonates with the 'remnant of the coastland of Caphtor' mentioned in Jeremiah.
Amos 9:7Amos directly links the Philistines to Caphtor, stating 'Did I not bring up Israel from the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor?' This provides historical and ethnic context for Jeremiah's mention of 'the remnant of the country of Caphtor'.
Zechariah 9:5-7This prophecy speaks of judgment on Ashkelon and Gaza, key Philistine cities, and declares that 'a remnant of the Philistines shall remain,' aligning with Jeremiah's message of impending destruction for this people.
Jeremiah 46:1-12This earlier chapter in Jeremiah deals with the judgment of Egypt, and the mention of mercenary troops potentially from Philistia connects to the broader context of surrounding nations facing God's wrath, including the Philistines.
pulpitJeremiah 47:4: "Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor."
Verse 4. - The day that cometh; rather, the day that hath come (i.e. shall have come). It is "the day of the Lord" that is meant, that revolutionary "shaking of all things" (to use Haggai's expression, Haggai 2:21), as to which see further in note on Jeremiah 46:10. To cut of…
calvinJeremiah 47:4: "Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor."
Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.
Propter diem qui venit ad perdendum omnes Philistinos (vel, tot…
The verse highlights that the Philistines, once a formidable enemy, are now reduced to a mere "remnant of the coastland of Caphtor," emphasizing their weakened state and historical origins as a conquered or displaced people. This wasn't just a geopolitical shift; it was the LORD actively stripping away even their remaining allies, showing a complete divine judgment against them.
The prophet is detailing God's judgment, which will fall not only on the Philistines but also on their Phoenician neighbors, Tyre and Sidon. This destruction is described as a coming "day of the Lord," where all allies will be cut off, leaving the Philistines as a diminished people from their ancestral homeland, Caphtor. This judgment is part of a broader devastation orchestrated by God, impacting the entire region.
The prophet is detailing God's judgment, which will fall not only on the Philistines but also on their Phoenician neighbors, Tyre and Sidon. This destruction is described as a coming "day of the Lord," where all allies will be cut off, leaving the Philistines as a diminished people from their ancestral homeland, Caphtor. This judgment is part of a broader devastation orchestrated by God, impacting the entire region.
"because 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." — The verse highlights that the Philistines, once a formidable enemy, are now reduced to a mere "remnant of the coastland of Caphtor," emphasizing their weakened state and historical origins as a conqu…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026