1Palavra do SENHOR que veio ao profeta Jeremias sobre os filisteus, antes que Faraó ferisse a Gaza.
2Assim diz o SENHOR: Eis que águas sobem do norte, e se tornarão em correnteza transbordante, e inundarão a terra e sua plenitude, as cidades, e moradores delas; os homens gritarão, e todos os moradores da terra uivarão,
3Ao ruído dos cascos de seus fortes [cavalos] ,o tremor de suas caruagens, e o estrondo de suas rodas; os pais não olharão para os filhos por causa da fraqueza das mãos.
4Por causa do dia que vem, para arruinar a todos os filisteus, para cortar a Tiro e a Sidom todo ajudador que restar; pois o SENHOR destruirá aos filisteus, ao resto da ilha de Caftor.
5Veio calvície sobre Gaza; Ascalom e o resto de seu vale foram cortados fora. Até quando te ferirás com arranhões?
6Ah, espada do SENHOR! Até quando não te aquietarás? Volta-te em tua bainha, descansa, e aquieta-te.
7Como te aquietarias? Pois o SENHOR lhe deu mandado contra Ascalom, e contra o litoral, [e] ali ele a ordenou.
📖 Chapter study
Summary
A brief judgment is announced against the Philistines, including the cities of Gaza and Ashkelon, describing an overwhelming invasion coming from the north, compared to overflowing waters.
Explanation
The Philistines, ancient and persistent rivals of Israel since the days of the judges and of David, would also not escape the reach of the judgment Jeremiah announced against the nations of the region. The image of waters rising and overflowing, flooding everything, was a powerful metaphor for the inevitability and overwhelming force of an invading army, likely the Babylonian army itself advancing along the Mediterranean coast. The chapter ends with a rhetorical question about how long the 'sword of the LORD' would keep acting, acknowledging that the judgment, though certain, had a purpose and a timing set by God, not senseless violence.
Fun facts
- Gaza and Ashkelon, the Philistine cities mentioned, are extensively excavated archaeological sites, with layers of destruction dated to the Babylonian period that correspond to this prophecy.
- The 'island of Caphtor,' mentioned as the ancestral origin of the Philistines, is generally identified with Crete, suggesting the Philistines were originally one of the so-called 'Sea Peoples' who migrated from the Aegean.