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47:1–7 This oracle of judgment against the Philistines is probably connected to Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction of Ashkelon in 604 bc, though the editorial heading in v. 1 connects it with an Egyptian campaign against Gaza. However, the region of Philistia was the battleground for part of the confrontation between Babylon and Egypt in 601 bc. |
Oracles against the Nations Table
47:1 the Philistines Inhabitants of the coastal plain west of Judah. See note on Ezek 25:15–17.
Philistines AEHL
Pharaoh attacked Gaza Herodotus records that, after repelling Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion in 601 bc, Neco continued north and captured the Philistine city of Gaza. On Gaza, see note on Jer 25:20; on Neco, see note on 46:2.
Egyptian attack of Gaza IVPBBCOT
47:2 Look, waters are rising from the north The image of rising waters is used for Egypt in 46:7–8, but the warning of danger from the north suggests Babylonian attack.
47:4 Tyre and from Sidon Phoenician cities, presumably mentioned because they are allies of the Philistines. On the Phoenicians, see note on Ezek 26:1–28:26.
the coastland of Caphtor Usually identified with Crete, the homeland of the Philistines according to Amos 9:7.
Archaeological artifacts from the Philistines bear similarities to those found on Crete. The Philistines usually are associated with the Sea Peoples,
who entered Syria-Palestine by land and sea through the Aegean basin and Asia Minor around 1200 bc. Other possibilities suggested for the location of Caphtor include Cilicia on the southwest coast of Asia Minor and a coastal location in northern Syria.
Caphtor ISBE
Caphtor AEHL
Philistines AYBD
47:5 Baldness Probably alluding to mourning rituals accompanying national distress. Compare Amos 8:10.
Ashkelon A Philistine seaport that was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 604 bc. See note on Jer 47:1–7.
Ashkelon AEHL
Ashkelon ISBE
Ashkelon was an ancient Canaanite city-state on the Mediterranean coast. Joshua 13:3 lists it as one of the five cities of the Philistines, and it was captured by Judah during the conquest (Judg 1:18). Ashkelon also is mentioned in the story of Samson (Judg 14:19). Most likely, the Canaanite city was settled by the Philistines after the Sea Peoples failed to conquer Egypt around 1190 bc. Ashkelon was a strategic port—a logical place for Egypt to station enemies-turned-mercenaries who had invaded by sea. Ashkelon did not yield to Babylonian rule after the Battle of Carchemish, so Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the city in 604 bc. It was rebuilt into a thriving port in the Persian period and continued to be an important regional city until 1270 ad. |
Ashkelon will you cut yourself with a blade Refers to mourning rituals. See note on Jer 41:5.
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