1 Prophecy against Philistia The word of the Lthat came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines before Pharaoh attackedandconquered [the Philistine city of] Gaza.
2 Thus says the L:“Behold, waters are going to rise out of the north (Babylonia)And become an overflowing streamAnd 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.
3 Because of the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of the war-horses [of the Babylonian king],The rattling of his chariots, and the rumbling of his wheels,The fathers have not lookedandturned back for their children,So weak are their hands [with terror]
4 Because of the day that is comingTo destroy all the PhilistinesAnd to cut off from Tyre and SidonEvery ally who remains.For the Lis going to destroy the Philistines,The remnant [still surviving] of the coastland ofA reference to the island of Crete, believed to be the original homeland of the Philistines.Caphtor.
5 Baldness [as a sign of mourning] will come on Gaza;Ashkelon will be cut offandruined.O remnant of their valley,How long will you gash yourselves [as a sign of mourning]?
6 O you sword of the L,How long will it be before you are quiet?Put yourself into your sheath;Rest and be still.
7 How can His sword be quietWhen the Lhas given it an order?Against Ashkelon and against the [whole Philistine] seashoreThere He has assigned it.”