Jeremiah 47:6-7
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This isn't just a prophet lamenting destruction; it's a powerful personification where the "sword of the Lord" itself is addressed, begging for rest. This highlights that even instruments of judgment are ultimately under God's control, yearning for the completion of their divine commission.
Ah, sword of the LORD! How long till you are quiet? Put yourself into your scabbard; rest and be still! How can it be quiet when the LORD has given it a charge? Against Ashkelon and against the seashore he has appointed it.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah has just declared God's judgment against the Philistines, speaking of their cities being destroyed and their people fleeing. In this moment, the prophet cries out to the "sword of the Lord," personifying the destructive force of God's judgment. This cry expresses a desperate plea for the ravaging war to cease, questioning how long this divine punishment will continue before it finally rests.
Jeremiah calls out to a 'sword of the LORD.' Who is this sword, and why does it have such power?
The prophet uses a powerful image, calling the destructive force of war the 'sword of the LORD.' This isn't just any sword; it's an instrument God uses to carry out His justice. Even though it might be wielded by human armies like the Chaldeans, its ultimate origin and purpose are divine. It represents God's active judgment against sin and rebellion.
This 'sword' has a terrifying, relentless quality, continuing its work until God's appointed time. It's a stark reminder that God is sovereign over nations and events, and He holds armies accountable.
The verse ends with a desperate plea: 'rest and be still!' What does this longing for peace reveal?
The cry 'How long till you are quiet?... rest and be still!' is a raw expression of the pain and exhaustion caused by relentless war and destruction. It's a plea from those caught in the storm, yearning for the violence to end.
While the immediate context is about the cessation of war's devastation, the ultimate 'rest' God offers is far deeper. For those who trust in Him, this verse hints at the final peace and stillness found in God's presence, a rest that transcends earthly troubles. It's a longing for the day when all injustice and violence will cease forever under His reign.
Understand the original words
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chereb · Hebrew Noun
A weapon of war often used in Scripture as a metaphor for judgment, divine wrath, or the instrument through which God executes His sovereignty against nations. It represents the physical reality of war directed by the hand of the Lord.
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
A title emphasizing God's supreme authority, covenantal faithfulness, and sovereign rule over all nations and history. It highlights that the events occurring are not accidental but are directed by the Creator of Israel.
ta'ar · Hebrew Noun
A protective sheath for a sword, symbolizing the cessation of violence, the end of judgment, or a time of rest ordained by God. To be in the scabbard signifies that the divine commission of destruction has been paused or completed.
tsavah · Hebrew Noun
A task, mandate, or mission assigned by a superior to a subordinate; in a theological context, it refers to a command issued by God that must be carried out, emphasizing His irresistible will in executing judgment.
Ashqelon · Hebrew Proper Noun
One of the five major Philistine cities, frequently representing an enemy of Israel and a target of divine judgment for its idolatry and opposition to God’s people. It symbolizes the pride and worldly security that faces God’s wrath.
paqad · Hebrew Verb
The act of assigning, designating, or setting a specific goal or target; biblically, it refers to God's sovereign decree where He intentionally places His judgment upon a specific person, place, or time.
Jeremiah's prophecy against the Philistines is set against the backdrop of the brutal Babylonian conquests. The 'sword of the Lord' is not just a metaphor, but refers to the actual military might of Babylon, God's chosen instrument for judgment.
c. 605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's First Invasion
The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar conquers Judah and carries away Judean nobles, including the prophet Daniel. This marks the beginning of Babylonian dominance over the region.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar deports more Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, after a brief rebellion. Jerusalem's temple is spared for the moment.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
After a prolonged siege, Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its magnificent temple, exiling the remaining population to Babylon. This is a catastrophic event for the Jewish people.
c. 585 BC— this verse
Babylonian Campaigns Against Philistia
Following the destruction of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar turns his attention to surrounding nations, including Philistia, which had often been hostile to Judah. This campaign involves widespread destruction and subjugation.
This passage also personifies the 'sword' as an instrument of God's judgment, directly linking it to God's anger and decree, mirroring Jeremiah's depiction.
Deuteronomy 32:41This verse speaks of God sharpening His sword and preparing it for vengeance, echoing the idea of a divinely wielded weapon that must fulfill its purpose before resting.
Isaiah 10:5This prophecy describes the Assyrian army as the 'rod' of God's anger, highlighting how nations and their armies can be used by God to execute judgment, similar to the 'sword of the Lord' in Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 12:12Here, Jeremiah speaks of the sword devouring and a plague devastating the land, illustrating the relentless and destructive nature of God's judgment that the prophet laments and observes.
pulpitJeremiah 47:6: "O thou sword of the LORD, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still."
Verse 6. - O thou sword, etc.; rather, alas! thou sword of the Lord.. It is the mystic sword of which we have heard already (see on Jeremiah 12:10; 46:10).
clarkeJeremiah 47:6: "O thou sword of the LORD, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still."
O thou sword of the Lord - This is a most grand prosopopoeia - a dialogue between the sword of the Lord and the prophet. Nothing can be imagined more sublime. Put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still - Shed no more blood, destroy no more lives, erase no more cities, desolate no more countries. Rest: - hast thou not been long enough at this work of j…
This isn't just a prophet lamenting destruction; it's a powerful personification where the "sword of the Lord" itself is addressed, begging for rest. This highlights that even instruments of judgment are ultimately under God's control, yearning for the completion of their divine commission.
Jeremiah has just declared God's judgment against the Philistines, speaking of their cities being destroyed and their people fleeing. In this moment, the prophet cries out to the "sword of the Lord," personifying the destructive force of God's judgment. This cry expresses a desperate plea for the ravaging war to cease, questioning how long this divine punishment will continue before it finally rests.
Jeremiah has just declared God's judgment against the Philistines, speaking of their cities being destroyed and their people fleeing. In this moment, the prophet cries out to the "sword of the Lord," personifying the destructive force of God's judgment. This cry expresses a desperate plea for the ravaging war to cease, questioning how long this divine punishment will continue before it finally rests.
"Ah, sword of the LORD! How long till you are quiet? Put yourself into your scabbard; rest and be still! How can it be quiet when the LORD has given it a charge? Against Ashkelon and against the seashore…" — This isn't just a prophet lamenting destruction; it's a powerful personification where the "sword of the Lord" itself is addressed, begging for rest. This highlights that even instruments of judgment…
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Last reviewed October 2026
