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;

At the noise {H6963} of the stamping {H8161} of the hoofs {H6541} of his strong {H47} horses, at the rushing {H7494} of his chariots {H7393}, and at the rumbling {H1995} of his wheels {H1534}, the fathers {H1} shall not look back {H6437} to their children {H1121} for feebleness {H7510} of hands {H3027};

at the thunderous pound of his stallions' hoofs, at his rattling chariots' rumbling wheels. Fathers fail to turn back for their children; instead, their hands hang limp,

at 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.

At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong ones, at the rushing of his chariots, at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers look not back to their children for feebleness of hands;

Jeremiah 47:3 (KJV) describes the terrifying sound and overwhelming force of an invading army, specifically highlighting the panic and paralysis it causes among the inhabitants of Philistia. This verse paints a vivid picture of the impending judgment upon the Philistines.

Context

Chapter 47 of Jeremiah is a prophecy concerning the Philistines, a long-standing enemy of Israel. The prophet Jeremiah foretells their destruction, which is attributed to an invading force coming from the north, widely understood to be the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar. This particular verse emphasizes the sheer terror and disarray that will accompany this invasion. It's part of a larger section in Jeremiah (chapters 46-51) where God pronounces judgment against various surrounding nations, demonstrating His sovereignty over all peoples, not just Israel. For more on God's judgment against nations, consider Jeremiah 46:1.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse underscores God's active role in bringing judgment upon nations that oppose Him or act unjustly. The devastating invasion is not random but a fulfillment of divine decree.
  • Overwhelming Fear: The imagery of "stamping of the hoofs," "rushing of chariots," and "rumbling of wheels" conveys an unstoppable, terrifying force. The resulting "feebleness of hands" signifies utter paralysis and despair, so profound that fathers cannot even turn back for their own children. This highlights the severity of the impending doom and the complete breakdown of societal order.
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: This prophecy, like many others in Jeremiah, would eventually be fulfilled through the Babylonian conquest of the region, demonstrating the accuracy and power of God's word and His control over historical events.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version uses strong, onomatopoeic language to describe the sounds of war: "stamping," "rushing," and "rumbling." These words vividly convey the auditory assault of a large, powerful army. The phrase "feebleness of hands" (Hebrew: rāp̄ûth yāḏayim) is a powerful idiom for extreme weakness, helplessness, or paralysis due to fear, implying a complete inability to act or resist. This is not just physical weakness, but a profound psychological collapse that overrides even primal parental instincts.

Practical Application and Reflection

Jeremiah 47:3 serves as a stark reminder of several timeless truths. Firstly, it illustrates that God is sovereign over all nations and history, capable of raising up and bringing down kingdoms according to His will. Secondly, it highlights the severe consequences of persistent sin and rebellion against God, even for those outside of Israel. The terror described should prompt reflection on the seriousness of divine judgment. Finally, for believers, it can reinforce trust in God's ultimate control, even amidst chaotic world events. Understanding God's warnings can lead to repentance and seeking His mercy, as seen in other prophetic books like Jonah, where Nineveh repented in response to a prophet's warning.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

  • Judges 5:22

    Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings, the pransings of their mighty ones.

  • Nahum 3:2

    The noise of a whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of the pransing horses, and of the jumping chariots.

  • Nahum 3:3

    The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword and the glittering spear: and [there is] a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcases; and [there is] none end of [their] corpses; they stumble upon their corpses:

  • Ezekiel 26:10

    By reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover thee: thy walls shall shake at the noise of the horsemen, and of the wheels, and of the chariots, when he shall enter into thy gates, as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach.

  • Ezekiel 26:11

    With the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets: he shall slay thy people by the sword, and thy strong garrisons shall go down to the ground.

  • Nahum 2:4

    The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.

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