Jeremiah 47:6

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

O {H1945} thou sword {H2719} of the LORD {H3068}, how long will it be ere {H3808} thou be quiet {H8252}? put up {H622} thyself into thy scabbard {H8593}, rest {H7280}, and be still {H1826}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Oh, sword of ADONAI, how long till you can be quiet? Put yourself back in your scabbard! Stop! Be still!

Berean Standard Bible

‘Alas, O sword of the LORD, how long until you rest? Return to your sheath; cease and be still!’

American Standard Version

O thou sword of Jehovah, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard; rest, and be still.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 47:6 is a profoundly emotional and rhetorical lament, personifying God's impending judgment as a relentless "sword" and pleading for its cessation. Situated within a divine oracle detailing the devastating judgment against the Philistines, this verse captures the intense terror, weariness, and desperate yearning for peace from the perspective of those facing divine retribution, while simultaneously underscoring the unstoppable nature of God's sovereign will and the ultimate fulfillment of His prophetic word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 47 is an integral part of the "Oracles Against the Nations" found in [Jeremiah 46-51](/jeremiah/46 "Jeremiah 46-51 - Oracles Against the Nations"), a significant section demonstrating Yahweh's universal sovereignty over all peoples, not just Israel. Specifically, chapter 47 focuses on the Philistines, a perennial enemy of Israel, whose coastal cities like Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ashdod are targeted for destruction. The preceding verses ([Jeremiah 47:1-5](/jeremiah/47-1-5 "Jeremiah 47:1-5 - Prophecy Against the Philistines' Destruction")) vividly describe the "flood" of judgment rising from the north, an overwhelming force that will lay waste to their land and people. Jeremiah 47:6 serves as an impassioned, almost desperate, interjection or lament within this prophecy, a cry from the prophet's compassionate heart or perhaps the voice of the afflicted, questioning the duration and intensity of God's destructive instrument. This poignant plea is immediately followed by [Jeremiah 47:7](/jeremiah/47-7 "Jeremiah 47:7 - The Lord's Command to the Sword"), which provides the divine rationale, affirming that the LORD Himself has given the command for the sword to act, thereby rendering the preceding lament rhetorical and emphasizing the irresistibility of God's decree.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Philistines, a formidable "Sea Peoples" group, settled on the southwestern coast of Canaan around the 12th century BCE, becoming persistent adversaries of Israel, as chronicled in books like [Judges](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges") and [1 Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "The Book of 1 Samuel"). Jeremiah's prophecy most likely refers to the Babylonian invasions under Nebuchadnezzar in the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE. These campaigns were not confined to Judah but swept across the entire Levant, subjugating various nations, including the Philistine city-states. The "sword" was a ubiquitous and powerful symbol in ancient Near Eastern warfare and prophetic literature, consistently representing war, destruction, and divine judgment. The imagery of a sword being unsheathed for battle and then returned to its scabbard was a common and easily understood idiom for the beginning and cessation of military campaigns, making the prophet's plea for the "sword" to be sheathed a vivid and culturally resonant expression of a desire for peace.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes prevalent in Jeremiah and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, asserting that God is not merely the God of Israel but the Lord of all nations, exercising His righteous judgment even over those who do not acknowledge Him. The phrase "sword of the LORD" unequivocally declares that the impending devastation is not a random human conflict but a divinely orchestrated act of justice against the Philistines' wickedness and their historical antagonism towards God's people. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Lament and Desperation in Suffering**. Despite the divine decree, the prophet (or the voice he embodies) expresses profound anguish and a yearning for an end to the destruction, reflecting the immense human cost of judgment. This lament echoes similar cries for relief found elsewhere in the prophetic books, such as the collective anguish expressed throughout [Lamentations](/lamentations/1 "The Book of Lamentations"). Lastly, the rhetorical nature of the question "how long...?" powerfully reinforces the theme of **God's Unstoppable Purpose**. The underlying implication is that the "sword" will not cease its work until God's specific purpose for it has been fully accomplished, demonstrating the unwavering resolve and efficacy of God's prophetic word, a principle beautifully articulated in [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sword (Hebrew, _chereb'_):** (H2719) Derived from a root meaning "to dry up" or "be desolate," this word refers to a cutting instrument, specifically a sword, emphasizing its destructive and desolating effect. In this context, it is a potent and terrifying metaphor for God's instrument of judgment, whether a foreign army (like the Babylonians) or a direct act of divine wrath. Its very nature implies violence, severing, and comprehensive devastation.
* **quiet (Hebrew, _shâqaṭ'_):** (H8252) A primitive root meaning "to repose," "to be at rest," "to settle," or "to be still." It conveys a sense of ceasing from activity, finding tranquility, or being appeased. The desperate plea for the "sword" to "be quiet" is a fervent cry for the cessation of hostilities, the end of the devastating conflict, and the return of a profound, undisturbed peace.
* **still (Hebrew, _dâmam'_):** (H1826) A primitive root meaning "to be dumb," "to stop," "to cease," or "to be silent." It can also imply perishing or being cut off. Its inclusion alongside "quiet" and "rest" intensifies the plea for an absolute and complete end to the destruction, suggesting a desire for total cessation of movement, sound, and violence, leading to an eerie, profound silence after the storm of judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O thou sword of the LORD":** This is a powerful and direct **apostrophe**, addressing the instrument of divine judgment as if it were a sentient, responsive entity. The "sword" here is a vivid **metaphor** for the invading force (historically, the Babylonians) that God is actively employing to execute His righteous judgment upon the Philistines. The phrase "of the LORD" is crucial, attributing the destructive power and the entire unfolding of events directly to Yahweh, thereby emphasizing His absolute sovereignty over historical occurrences and His active, purposeful role in bringing about justice.
* **"how long [will it be] ere thou be quiet?":** This is a poignant **rhetorical question**, expressing profound anguish, weariness, and desperation. It is a lament, not an expectation of a literal answer from the personified sword, but rather a heartfelt cry for an end to the pervasive suffering and relentless destruction. It highlights the seemingly unending nature of the judgment from the perspective of those experiencing its devastating and prolonged effects, conveying a deep sense of exhaustion and longing for respite.
* **"put up thyself into thy scabbard":** This is an urgent **imperative command**, urging the personified "sword" to cease its destructive activity. To "put up" a sword into its "scabbard" (its protective sheath) signifies the definitive end of battle, the cessation of hostilities, and the return to a state of peace and disarmament. It is a desperate plea for the instrument of war to be rendered harmless, inactive, and removed from the scene of devastation.
* **"rest, and be still":** These are further, intensifying **imperatives**, reiterating and amplifying the plea for complete cessation. "Rest" (from _râgaʻ_) implies finding ease, settling down, and finding repose after exertion, while "be still" (from _dâmam_) denotes a profound and absolute cessation of movement and activity, even a deep silence. Together, these commands express an overwhelming desire for the conflict to utterly cease, for the terror to subside completely, and for a profound, lasting peace to prevail over the ravaged land.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 47:6 is exceptionally rich in literary devices, which amplify its emotional intensity and theological impact. The most prominent is **Personification**, where the abstract concept of God's judgment, represented by the "sword of the LORD," is addressed as if it were a living, sentient entity capable of hearing, understanding, and responding to a plea ("O thou sword... how long... put up thyself... rest, and be still"). This device makes the terrifying reality of divine judgment tangible and immediate. Closely intertwined is the powerful **Metaphor** of the "sword" itself, which stands for God's instrument of war and judgment, most likely the invading Babylonian army. This metaphor vividly conveys the destructive power, decisive nature, and cutting efficacy of God's wrath. The phrase "how long [will it be] ere thou be quiet?" functions as a profound **Rhetorical Question**, not expecting a literal answer but powerfully conveying the speaker's anguish, weariness, and desperate longing for an end to the devastation. Finally, the series of forceful **Imperative Mood** verbs ("put up thyself," "rest," "be still") creates an overwhelming sense of urgency and desperation, emphasizing the intense desire for the cessation of the "sword's" activity. The cumulative effect of these commands, almost a form of **Parallelism** and **Repetition** in their shared plea for peace, underscores the depth of the suffering and the yearning for relief.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 47:6 stands as a stark and powerful reminder of God's unwavering justice and His absolute sovereign control over all nations and historical events. The imagery of the "sword of the LORD" underscores that even the rise and fall of empires, and the devastating conflicts that accompany them, are not random occurrences but are often instruments in God's hand to execute His righteous judgment against sin, idolatry, and rebellion. While the verse expresses a profound lament for the suffering caused by this judgment, it simultaneously affirms the unstoppable nature of God's decrees once they are set in motion. It challenges us to grapple with the tension between God's holy wrath against sin and the immense human anguish that results from its execution, prompting a deeper understanding of both His unyielding justice and His ultimate desire for peace and restoration.

* [Isaiah 10:5](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5 - Assyria, the Rod of God's Anger")
* [Habakkuk 3:2](/habakkuk/3-2 "Habakkuk 3:2 - A Prayer for Revival and Mercy")
* [Revelation 19:15](/revelation/19-15 "Revelation 19:15 - The Sword from Christ's Mouth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 47:6 offers a profound and sobering lens through which to view the world's conflicts and the stark reality of divine justice. It calls us to humbly acknowledge God's ultimate sovereignty even amidst chaos, suffering, and what appears to be senseless violence, recognizing that nothing happens outside of His purview, even if His ways are often mysterious and beyond our full comprehension. The prophet's lament, "how long...?", models for us a posture of honest, heartfelt prayer and intercession in the face of overwhelming adversity and injustice. It reminds us that while God's judgment is real, necessary, and an expression of His perfect holiness, we are also called, as His compassionate children, to intercede for peace, for mercy, and for an end to violence and suffering in our broken world. This verse should stir within us a humble recognition of the dire consequences of sin, both individual and national, and a renewed commitment to seek God's righteousness and justice in our own lives and societies, knowing that true and lasting peace ultimately comes from Him alone. It compels us to reflect on our own alignment with God's will, prompting us to consider if our actions or the actions of our communities might be inviting His just consequences.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the "sword of the LORD" shape your understanding of God's justice, holiness, and sovereignty over history?**
* **In what ways do you perceive God's "sword" (His judgment or the consequences of sin) at work in the world today, and how should believers respond with both lament and hope?**
* **What does the prophet's desperate plea for the sword to "be quiet" teach us about the nature of lament, intercessory prayer, and compassionate engagement in times of profound suffering?**
* **How can we, as followers of Christ, balance a clear recognition of God's righteous judgment with a compassionate heart for those who suffer its effects, whether justly or unjustly?**

### FAQ
**What is the "sword of the LORD" in Jeremiah 47:6?**

Answer: The "sword of the LORD" is a potent and terrifying metaphor for God's instrument of divine judgment. In the immediate historical context of Jeremiah 47, it refers to the invading Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar, which God used to execute His wrath upon the Philistines and other nations. It signifies that the destruction and warfare are not merely human conflicts or random acts of violence, but are divinely ordained and directed by God's sovereign will, serving as a tool for His righteous purposes, as further explained in [Jeremiah 47:7](/jeremiah/47-7 "Jeremiah 47:7 - The Lord's Command to the Sword").

**Why does the prophet ask the "sword" to "be quiet" and "rest"?**

Answer: The prophet's plea, "how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still," expresses profound anguish, weariness, and desperation in the face of overwhelming destruction. It is a lament from the perspective of those experiencing the terror and prolonged suffering of God's judgment, a fervent cry for the cessation of hostilities and the return of peace. While the "sword" is an instrument of God's will, the human cry for relief highlights the immense suffering that accompanies divine judgment, a common theme in prophetic literature where human lament often arises even in the context of righteous divine action (e.g., [Lamentations 1:1-22](/lamentations/1-1-22 "Lamentations 1 - Jerusalem's Desolation")).

**Does this verse imply that God is violent or capricious in His actions?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply that God is violent or capricious. Instead, it underscores His absolute holiness, His unwavering righteousness, and His justice. The "sword" represents the inevitable consequences of sin and rebellion against His moral order, executed through means that are often severe and devastating. God's judgment is always purposeful, aimed at bringing about justice, calling nations to repentance, or fulfilling His divine plan for redemption and restoration, as seen throughout the Old Testament (e.g., the blessings and curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). The prophet's lament acknowledges the severity of this justice but does not question its righteousness or its ultimate purpose within God's perfect character.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 47:6, with its vivid imagery of the "sword of the LORD" and the desperate plea for its cessation, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. While the Old Testament sword speaks of God's righteous judgment against sin, often executed through earthly agents and bringing devastation, the New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as the ultimate embodiment of both divine justice and ultimate peace. At His first coming, Jesus did not wield a sword of condemnation but rather brought salvation and reconciliation, declaring that He came "not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved" ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son Not to Condemn")). He is the promised "Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prince of Peace")), offering a profound peace that the world cannot give ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Christ's Gift of Peace")), a peace secured by His atoning sacrifice on the cross, which fully satisfied the righteous demands of God's justice against sin ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ's Propitiation")). However, the imagery of the sword also points to Christ's second coming, where He will return, not as a suffering servant, but as the righteous and sovereign Judge. [Revelation 19:15](/revelation/19-15 "Revelation 19:15 - The Sword from Christ's Mouth") strikingly depicts a sharp sword coming out of His mouth, with which He will strike down the nations and rule them with a rod of iron, signifying His final and decisive judgment against all evil and rebellion. Thus, the desperate plea in Jeremiah 47:6 for the sword to be sheathed finds its ultimate answer in the eschatological peace established by Christ's eternal reign, where all suffering will cease and God will wipe away every tear from the eyes of His redeemed ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Mourning")), bringing a final and glorious end to the need for the "sword of the LORD" as an instrument of judgment for those who are found in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 12:12

The spoilers are come upon all high places through the wilderness: for the sword of the LORD shall devour from the [one] end of the land even to the [other] end of the land: no flesh shall have peace.

Ezekiel 21:3

And say to the land of Israel, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I [am] against thee, and will draw forth my sword out of his sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked.

Ezekiel 21:5

That all flesh may know that I the LORD have drawn forth my sword out of his sheath: it shall not return any more.

Jeremiah 12:4

How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.

Jeremiah 15:3

And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.

John 18:11

Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

Isaiah 10:5

¶ O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.