What does Jeremiah 47:7 mean?
"How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it." - Jeremiah 47:7
In Jeremiah 47:7 (KJV), it states, "How can it be quiet, seeing the Lord hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it." This verse is part of the prophecy of judgment against the Philistines, specifically the city of Ashkelon. It emphasizes the inevitability and severity of the judgment that the Lord has decreed against this city and its people.
The context of this verse is important to understand its meaning. The book of Jeremiah is a collection of prophecies given by the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah during a time of great turmoil and upheaval. The nation of Judah was facing the threat of invasion and destruction by the Babylonian empire due to their disobedience and idolatry. In this particular prophecy, Jeremiah is warning the Philistines, who were enemies of Judah, that they too will face the judgment of the Lord for their wickedness and opposition to God's people.
The theme of divine judgment and justice is central to this verse. The language used in this verse, such as "the Lord hath given it a charge" and "there hath he appointed it," conveys a sense of divine decree and authority. It emphasizes that the judgment against Ashkelon is not a mere human decision, but rather a divine pronouncement from the Lord. This theme is consistent with the broader message of the book of Jeremiah, which emphasizes the righteousness and sovereignty of God in judging the nations for their sins.
The symbolism in this verse is also significant. Ashkelon was a major Philistine city located on the Mediterranean coast, and it represents the strength and security of the Philistine people. By singling out Ashkelon for judgment, the Lord is symbolically striking at the heart of Philistine power and pride. The reference to "the sea shore" further emphasizes the extent of the judgment, suggesting that it will not be limited to the city itself but will affect the entire region.
Furthermore, the language of unrest and noise in the first part of the verse ("How can it be quiet") conveys a sense of impending doom and upheaval. The idea that the Lord has "given it a charge against Ashkelon" suggests that the judgment is swift and decisive, with no room for escape or reprieve. This imagery serves to underscore the seriousness of the situation and the certainty of the judgment to come.
In a broader theological context, this verse also speaks to the universal sovereignty of God. It demonstrates that God's authority and justice are not limited to one particular nation or people, but extend to all the nations of the earth. The message of judgment against Ashkelon serves as a warning to all who oppose the will of God and highlights the ultimate accountability of all nations before the Lord.
In conclusion, Jeremiah 47:7 (KJV) is a powerful and evocative verse that conveys the theme of divine judgment and justice. It serves as a warning to the Philistines and to all nations that the Lord's authority and sovereignty are absolute, and that all will be held accountable for their actions. The symbolism and imagery used in this verse emphasize the severity and inevitability of the judgment, and the broader theological implications underscore the universal scope of God's justice.
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Jeremiah 47:7 - "How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it."
"How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it." - Jeremiah 47:7
Jeremiah 47:1 - "The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza."
Luke 7:41-47
Acts 7:47 - "But Solomon built him an house."
John 7:47 - "Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?"
Nehemiah 7:47 - "The children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon,"
Jeremiah 48:47 - "¶ Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab."
"The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza." - Jeremiah 47:1
Psalms 47:7 - "For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding."
Jeremiah 47:5 - "Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?"
"But Solomon built him an house." - Acts 7:47
Jeremiah 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."
Jeremiah 47:3 - "At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;"
Genesis 47:7 - "And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh."
"Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?" - John 7:47
Jeremiah 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."
"The children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon," - Nehemiah 7:47
Ezekiel 47:7 - "Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other."
1 Kings 7:47 - "And Solomon left all the vessels unweighed, because they were exceeding many: neither was the weight of the brass found out."
Jeremiah 51:47 - "Therefore, behold, the days come, that I will do judgment upon the graven images of Babylon: and her whole land shall be confounded, and all her slain shall fall in the midst of her."
Isaiah 47:7 - "¶ And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it."
Numbers 7:47 - "And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel."
"For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding." - Psalms 47:7
Luke 7:47 - "Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little."
Jeremiah 7:1 - "The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,"
"Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little." - Luke 7:47
Jeremiah 47:2 - "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."
Jeremiah 42:7 - "¶ And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah."
"¶ Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab." - Jeremiah 48:47