Jeremiah 47:2
New International Version
This is what the LORD says: “See how the waters are rising in the north; they will become an overflowing torrent. They will overflow the land and everything in it, the towns and those who live in them. The people will cry out; all who dwell in the land will wail

New Living Translation
This is what the LORD says: “A flood is coming from the north to overflow the land. It will destroy the land and everything in it— cities and people alike. People will scream in terror, and everyone in the land will wail.

English Standard Version
“Thus says the LORD: Behold, waters are rising out of the north, and shall become an overflowing torrent; they shall overflow the land and all that fills it, the city and those who dwell in it. Men shall cry out, and every inhabitant of the land shall wail.

Berean Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: “See how the waters are rising from the north and becoming an overflowing torrent. They will overflow the land and its fullness, the cities and their inhabitants. The people will cry out, and all who dwell in the land will wail

King James Bible
Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.

New King James Version
Thus says the LORD: “Behold, waters rise out of the north, And shall be an overflowing flood; They shall overflow the land and all that is in it, The city and those who dwell within; Then the men shall cry, And all the inhabitants of the land shall wail.

New American Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: “Behold, waters are going to rise from the north And become an overflowing torrent, And overflow the land and everything that is in it, The city and those who live in it; And the people will cry out, And every inhabitant of the land will wail.

NASB 1995
Thus says the LORD: “Behold, waters are going to rise from the north And become an overflowing torrent, And overflow the land and all its fullness, The city and those who live in it; And the men will cry out, And every inhabitant of the land will wail.

NASB 1977
Thus says the LORD: “Behold, waters are going to rise from the north And become an overflowing torrent, And overflow the land and all its fulness, The city and those who live in it; And the men will cry out, And every inhabitant of the land will wail.

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus says Yahweh: “Behold, waters are going to rise from the north And become an overflowing torrent, And overflow the land as well as its fullness, The city and those who inhabit it; And the men will cry out, And every inhabitant of the land will wail.

Amplified Bible
Thus says the LORD: “Behold, waters are going to rise out of the north (Babylonia) And become an overflowing stream And overflow the land and all that is in it, The city and those who live in it. Then the people will cry out, And all the inhabitants of the land [of Philistia] will wail.

Christian Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: Look, water is rising from the north and becoming an overflowing wadi. It will overflow the land and everything in it, the cities and their inhabitants. The people will cry out, and every inhabitant of the land will wail.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: Look, waters are rising from the north and becoming an overflowing wadi. They will overflow the land and everything in it, the cities and their inhabitants. The people will cry out, and every inhabitant of the land will wail.

American Standard Version
Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall become an overflowing stream, and shall overflow the land and all that is therein, the city and them that dwell therein; and the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall wail.

Contemporary English Version
I, the LORD, tell you that your land will be flooded with an army from the north. It will destroy your towns and sweep you away, moaning and screaming.

English Revised Version
Thus saith the LORD: Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall become an overflowing stream, and shall overflow the land and all that is therein, the city and them that dwell therein: and the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what the LORD says: Water is rising in the north. It will become an overflowing river. It will overflow the land and everything in it, the cities and those who live in them. People will cry out and everyone who lives in the land will cry loudly.

Good News Translation
He said: "Look! Waters are rising in the north and will rush like a river in flood. They will cover the land and everything on it, cities and the people who live there. People will call out for help; everyone on earth will cry bitterly.

International Standard Version
This is what the LORD says: "Look, waters are rising from the north, and they'll become an overflowing river. They'll overflow the land and all that fills it — the city and those that live in it. People will cry out, and all those living in the land will wail.

Majority Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: “See how the waters are rising from the north and becoming an overflowing torrent. They will overflow the land and its fullness, the cities and their inhabitants. The people will cry out, and all who dwell in the land will wail

NET Bible
"Look! Enemies are gathering in the north like water rising in a river. They will be like an overflowing stream. They will overwhelm the whole country and everything in it like a flood. They will overwhelm the cities and their inhabitants. People will cry out in alarm. Everyone living in the country will cry out in pain.

New Heart English Bible
"Thus says the LORD: 'Look, waters rise up out of the north, and shall become an overflowing stream, and shall overflow the land and all that is in it, the city and those who dwell in it; and the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall wail.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is in it; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.

World English Bible
Yahweh says: “Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and will become an overflowing stream, and will overflow the land and all that is therein, the city and those who dwell therein. The men will cry, and all the inhabitants of the land will wail.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Thus said YHWH: Behold, waters are going up from the north, "" And have been for an overflowing stream, "" And they overflow the land and its fullness, "" The city, and those dwelling in it, "" And men have cried out, "" And every inhabitant of the land has howled.

Young's Literal Translation
'Thus said Jehovah: Lo, waters are coming up from the north, And have been for an overflowing stream, And they overflow the land and its fulness, The city, and the inhabitants in it, And men have cried out, And howled hath every inhabitant of the land.

Smith's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah, Behold, waters coming up from the north, and they were for an overflowing torrent, and they shall overflow the land, and its fulness; the city and those dwelling in it: and the men cried out, and all inhabiting the land wailed.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thus saith the Lord: Behold there come up waters out of the north, and they shall be as an overflowing torrent, and they shall cover the land, and all that is therein, the city and the inhabitants thereof: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Thus says the Lord: “Behold, waters will rise up from the north, and they will be like an inundating torrent, and they will cover the land and its plenitude, the city and its inhabitants. The men will cry out, and all the inhabitants of the land will wail,

New American Bible
Thus says the LORD: See: waters are rising from the north, to become a torrent in flood; They shall flood the land and all it contains, the cities and their inhabitants. People will howl and wail, every inhabitant of the land.

New Revised Standard Version
Thus says the LORD: See, waters are rising out of the north and shall become an overflowing torrent; they shall overflow the land and all that fills it, the city and those who live in it. People shall cry out, and all the inhabitants of the land shall wail.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thus says the LORD: Behold, I am bringing young soldiers from the north, and they shall become like an overflowing flood, and they shall overflow the land and all that is in it, the city and those who dwell in it; then the men shall cry for help, and all the inhabitants of the land shall wail.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Thus says LORD JEHOVAH: “Behold, I bring young men from the North, and they shall be as a torrent that overflows, and they shall overflow the land and its fullness, the city and her inhabitants, and the children of men shall cry out, and all the inhabitants of the land shall wail
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thus saith the LORD: Behold, waters rise up out of the north, And shall become an overflowing stream, And they shall overflow the land and all that is therein, The city and them that dwell therein; And the men shall cry, And all the inhabitants of the land shall wail.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Behold, waters come up from the north, and shall become a sweeping torrent, and it shall sweep away the land, and its fulness; the city, and them that dwell in it: and men shall cry and all that dwell in the land shall howl,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Judgment on the Philistines
1This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet about the Philistines before Pharaoh struck down Gaza. 2This is what the LORD says: “See how the waters are rising from the north and becoming an overflowing torrent. They will overflow the land and its fullness, the cities and their inhabitants. The people will cry out, and all who dwell in the land will wail 3at the sound of the galloping hooves of stallions, the rumbling of chariots, and the clatter of their wheels. The fathers will not turn back for their sons; their hands will hang limp.…

Cross References
Isaiah 8:7-8
the Lord will surely bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the Euphrates—the king of Assyria and all his pomp. It will overflow its channels and overrun its banks. / It will pour into Judah, swirling and sweeping over it, reaching up to the neck; its spreading streams will cover your entire land, O Immanuel!

Ezekiel 26:3
therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, O Tyre, I am against you, and I will raise up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves.

Amos 9:5-6
The Lord GOD of Hosts, He who touches the earth and it melts, and all its dwellers mourn—all the land rises like the Nile, then sinks like the river of Egypt— / He builds His upper rooms in the heavens and founds His vault upon the earth. He summons the waters of the sea and pours them over the face of the earth. The LORD is His name.

Zephaniah 2:4-7
For Gaza will be abandoned, and Ashkelon left in ruins. Ashdod will be driven out at noon, and Ekron will be uprooted. / Woe to the dwellers of the seacoast, O nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines: “I will destroy you, and no one will be left.” / So the seacoast will become a land of pastures, with wells for shepherds and folds for sheep. ...

Isaiah 14:29-31
Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken. For a viper will spring from the root of the snake, and a flying serpent from its egg. / Then the firstborn of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety, but I will kill your root by famine, and your remnant will be slain. / Wail, O gate! Cry out, O city! Melt away, all you Philistines! For a cloud of smoke comes from the north, and there are no stragglers in its ranks.

Ezekiel 25:15-17
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because the Philistines acted in vengeance, taking vengeance with malice of soul to destroy Judah with ancient hostility, / therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant along the coast. / I will execute great vengeance against them with furious reproof. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I lay My vengeance upon them.’”

Joel 3:4-8
Now what do you have against Me, O Tyre, Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you rendering against Me a recompense? If you retaliate against Me, I will swiftly and speedily return your recompense upon your heads. / For you took My silver and gold and carried off My finest treasures to your temples. / You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, to send them far from their homeland. ...

Isaiah 15:1-9
This is the burden against Moab: Ar in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night! Kir in Moab is devastated, destroyed in a night! / Dibon goes up to its temple to weep at its high places. Moab wails over Nebo, as well as over Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off. / In its streets they wear sackcloth; on the rooftops and in the public squares they all wail, falling down weeping. ...

Ezekiel 30:10-12
This is what the Lord GOD says: I will put an end to the hordes of Egypt by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. / He and his people with him, the most ruthless of the nations, will be brought in to destroy the land. They will draw their swords against Egypt and fill the land with the slain. / I will make the streams dry up and sell the land to the wicked. By the hands of foreigners I will bring desolation upon the land and everything in it. I, the LORD, have spoken.

Isaiah 17:12-14
Alas, the tumult of many peoples; they rage like the roaring seas and clamoring nations; they rumble like the crashing of mighty waters. / The nations rage like the rush of many waters. He rebukes them, and they flee far away, driven before the wind like chaff on the hills, like tumbleweeds before a gale. / In the evening, there is sudden terror! Before morning, they are no more! This is the portion of those who loot us and the lot of those who plunder us.

Matthew 24:7
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Luke 21:25
There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves.

Revelation 16:3
And the second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it turned to blood like that of the dead, and every living thing in the sea died.

Mark 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

Revelation 8:8-9
Then the second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood, / a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.


Treasury of Scripture

Thus said the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.

waters

Jeremiah 46:7,8
Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers? …

Isaiah 8:7,8
Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks: …

Isaiah 28:17
Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

out of

Jeremiah 1:14
Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.

Jeremiah 46:6,20
Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates…

Jeremiah 8:16
The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein.

Psalm 24:1
A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Psalm 50:12
If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.

then the

Jeremiah 46:13
The word that the LORD spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come and smite the land of Egypt.

Jeremiah 48:3-5,39
A voice of crying shall be from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction…

Isaiah 15:2-5,8
He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off…

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Jeremiah 47
1. The destruction of the Philistines














“This is what the LORD says”
This phrase introduces a divine oracle, emphasizing the authority and sovereignty of God. In Hebrew, "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred name of God, which underscores His eternal and unchanging nature. This introduction is a common prophetic formula, indicating that the message is not from the prophet's own mind but directly from God. It reminds us of the importance of listening to God's voice and recognizing His ultimate authority over all creation.

“See, waters are rising from the north”
The imagery of "waters rising" symbolizes an overwhelming force, often used in the Bible to depict invading armies or divine judgment. The "north" refers to the direction from which many of Israel's historical enemies, such as Babylon, would come. This geographical reference is significant, as it aligns with historical events where northern powers threatened Israel and its neighbors. The rising waters convey a sense of impending doom and unstoppable power, urging the audience to prepare for what is to come.

“and will become an overflowing torrent.”
An "overflowing torrent" suggests a flood that cannot be contained, symbolizing the totality and inevitability of the coming judgment. In the ancient Near East, floods were both life-giving and destructive, depending on their context. Here, the destructive aspect is highlighted, indicating that the judgment will be thorough and devastating. This metaphor serves as a warning of the consequences of sin and the certainty of God's justice.

“They will overflow the land and everything in it,”
The phrase "overflow the land" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the judgment. It will affect "everything in it," indicating that no part of the land or its inhabitants will be spared. This totality reflects the seriousness of the people's sins and the thoroughness of God's response. It serves as a reminder of the pervasive impact of sin and the need for repentance and divine intervention.

“the cities and those who dwell in them.”
The specific mention of "cities" and "those who dwell in them" highlights the human impact of the coming judgment. Cities, as centers of culture, commerce, and community, represent the heart of societal life. The judgment will disrupt daily life and bring about significant upheaval. This serves as a call to the people to turn back to God, recognizing that their security and prosperity are ultimately dependent on Him.

“The people will cry out,”
The response of the people, "cry out," indicates a reaction of distress and desperation. In times of crisis, the natural human response is to seek help and express anguish. This phrase suggests that the judgment will lead to a recognition of their helplessness and need for divine assistance. It is a call to repentance, urging the people to turn to God in their time of need.

“and all the inhabitants of the land will wail.”
The word "wail" conveys a deep, mournful lament, reflecting the profound sorrow and regret of the people. This emotional response underscores the severity of the judgment and the realization of its consequences. It serves as a poignant reminder of the cost of turning away from God and the importance of seeking His mercy and forgiveness. The collective nature of the wailing indicates a shared experience of suffering and the need for communal repentance and restoration.

(2) Behold, waters rise up out of the north.--The reference to the north indicates that the invasion which the prophet contemplates is that of Nebuchadnezzar, not of Pharaoh-necho. For the metaphor of the overflowing river see Jeremiah 46:7; Isaiah 8:7. For "the land and all that is therein" read, as in the margin, "the land and the fulness thereof."

Verses 2-4. - Hostile bands advance from the north; horror seizes the Philistines. Verse 2. - Waters rise up. The prophets think in figures, and no figure is so familiar to them (alas for the unstable condition of those times!) as that of an overflowing torrent for an invading army (see on Jeremiah 46:8, and add to the parallel passages Isaiah 28:18; Ezekiel 26:19; Daniel 11:10). Out of the north. To suppose that this refers to Pharaoh-necho returning from Carchemish seems forced and unnatural. If Necho conquered Gaza at the period supposed, it would be on his way to Carchemish, and not on his return. Besides," the north" is the standing symbol for the home of the dreaded Assyrian and Babylonian foes (see on Jeremiah 1:14). Isaiah had uttered a very similar prediction when the Assyrian hosts were sweeping through Palestine (Isaiah 14:31). An overflowing flood; rather, torrent. The same phrase occurs in Isaiah 30:28, where the "breath" of the angry God is described with this figurative expression. It is in autumn time that the torrents of Palestine become dangerous, and water courses, dry or almost dry in summer (comp. Jeremiah 15:18), become filled with a furiously rushing stream.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This is what
כֹּ֣ה ׀ (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

says:
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“See how
הִנֵּה־ (hin·nêh-)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

the waters
מַ֜יִם (ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

are rising
עֹלִ֤ים (‘ō·lîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

from the north
מִצָּפוֹן֙ (miṣ·ṣā·p̄ō·wn)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6828: Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter

and becoming
וְהָיוּ֙ (wə·hā·yū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

an overflowing
שׁוֹטֵ֔ף (šō·w·ṭêp̄)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7857: To gush, to inundate, cleanse, to gallop, conquer

torrent.
לְנַ֣חַל (lə·na·ḥal)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5158: A stream, a winter torrent, a, valley, a shaft

They will overflow
וְיִשְׁטְפוּ֙ (wə·yiš·ṭə·p̄ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7857: To gush, to inundate, cleanse, to gallop, conquer

the land
אֶ֣רֶץ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and its fullness,
וּמְלוֹאָ֔הּ (ū·mə·lō·w·’āh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4393: Fullness, that which fills

the cities
עִ֖יר (‘îr)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

and their inhabitants.
וְיֹ֣שְׁבֵי (wə·yō·šə·ḇê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

The people
הָֽאָדָ֔ם (hā·’ā·ḏām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

will cry out,
וְזָֽעֲקוּ֙ (wə·zā·‘ă·qū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2199: To shriek, to announce, convene publicly

and all
כֹּ֖ל (kōl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

who dwell
יוֹשֵׁ֥ב (yō·wō·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in the land
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

will wail
וְהֵילִ֕ל (wə·hê·lil)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3213: To howl, make a howling


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 47:2 Thus says Yahweh: Behold waters rise up (Jer.)
Jeremiah 47:1
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