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.

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}.

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

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

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 on Jeremiah 47:6 (KJV)

Jeremiah 47:6 is a poignant cry within a prophecy concerning the Philistines. It personifies God's judgment as a relentless "sword," expressing a desperate longing for an end to the destruction. This verse encapsulates the terror and weariness brought by divine retribution.

Context

Chapter 47 of Jeremiah contains a prophecy specifically directed against the Philistines, a traditional enemy of Israel often mentioned throughout the Old Testament. The "sword of the LORD" here refers to an invading force, most likely the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar, which was destined to sweep through the region, bringing devastation upon Philistia. This prophecy underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, using even pagan empires as instruments of His divine will and judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The primary theme is God's active and fierce judgment against the Philistines for their wickedness and opposition to His people. The "sword" metaphor powerfully conveys the severity and destructive nature of this judgment.
  • Lament and Desperation: The repeated plea, "how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still," is a profound lament. It reflects the deep suffering and exhaustion of those experiencing the judgment, crying out for relief and an end to the conflict.
  • God's Unstoppable Purpose: Despite the desperate plea, the rhetorical question implies that the "sword" will not be quiet until God's purpose is fully accomplished. This highlights the irrevocability of God's prophetic decrees once set in motion.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sword of the LORD" (Hebrew: חֶרֶב יְהוָה, cherev Yahweh) is a powerful anthropomorphism, attributing an instrument of war directly to God. This emphasizes that the destruction is not random or merely political, but a divinely ordained act. The series of imperatives—"be quiet," "put up thyself," "rest," "be still"—are all strong verbs expressing an intense desire for cessation and peace from the ongoing calamity.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 47:6 serves as a sobering reminder of God's justice and His ultimate control over human history. It encourages believers to:

  • Recognize God's Hand: Even in tumultuous world events and conflicts, God remains sovereign, often using circumstances to bring about His purposes.
  • Pray for Peace: While acknowledging God's judgment, the verse also models a cry for an end to suffering and violence, reminding us to pray for peace and for God's mercy upon nations.
  • Consider Consequences: It highlights the serious consequences of disobedience and opposition to God's will, both for individuals and for nations. Understanding the severity of divine judgment should lead to repentance and a turning towards God, as seen in other prophets like Jonah with Nineveh.
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 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.

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