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 {H8252}, seeing the LORD {H3068} hath given it a charge {H6680} against Ashkelon {H831}, and against the sea {H3220} shore {H2348}? there hath he appointed {H3259} it.

But how can you be still? For ADONAI has given it orders against Ashkelon, against the seacoast; he has assigned it its task there.

How can it rest when the LORD has commanded it? He has appointed it against Ashkelon and the shore of its coastland.”

How canst thou be quiet, seeing Jehovah hath given thee a charge? Against Ashkelon, and against the sea-shore, there hath he appointed it.

Jeremiah 47:7 is a powerful rhetorical question posed by the prophet Jeremiah, emphasizing the unstoppable nature of God's judgment against the Philistine cities, specifically Ashkelon and the entire Philistine sea coast. The "it" refers to the instrument of divine judgment, often depicted as a "sword" or a destructive force, which God Himself has commissioned and appointed to carry out His will.

Context

This verse is part of Jeremiah's prophecies concerning various nations surrounding Judah, found in chapters 46-51. Jeremiah 47 is specifically directed against the Philistines, a long-standing enemy of Israel who inhabited the coastal plain southwest of Judah. The prophecy foretells their devastation, likely at the hands of the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar, who served as God's instrument of judgment for many nations. The preceding verse, Jeremiah 47:6, speaks of the "sword of the LORD", a vivid metaphor for this impending destruction. Ashkelon was one of the five principal cities of the Philistines, signifying that no part of their territory would escape this divine decree.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Control: The verse unequivocally states that "the LORD hath given it a charge" and "there hath he appointed it." This highlights God's absolute control over history, nations, and even destructive forces. He is not merely observing but actively directing events to fulfill His purposes.
  • Inevitable Judgment: The rhetorical question, "How can it be quiet?", underscores the certainty and irresistibility of God's judgment once it is commanded. There is no appeal or escape when the Lord Himself has appointed the execution of His justice.
  • Consequences of Unrighteousness: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of Jeremiah's prophecies indicates that God's judgment against nations like the Philistines was a consequence of their idolatry, violence, and opposition to His people and His ways.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "How can it be quiet?" (Hebrew: אֵיךְ תִּשְׁקֹט, eich tishqot) is a powerful rhetorical device. It's not a genuine question seeking an answer, but an emphatic declaration that quietness, peace, or cessation of the judgment is impossible. The judgment cannot be restrained or calmed because it has a divine mandate. The Hebrew word for "charge" (צַו, tzav) denotes a divine command or instruction, reinforcing the idea that the destruction is not random but purposeful and ordered by God. Similarly, "appointed" (יָעַד, ya'ad) signifies that a specific time, place, and purpose have been designated by the Almighty.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 47:7 serves as a stark reminder of God's ultimate authority over all creation and all nations. For believers, it reinforces trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that He is in control even amidst global turmoil and conflict. For those who defy God, it stands as a solemn warning that His justice is certain and His appointed judgments cannot be averted. It calls for humility, repentance, and recognition of God's supreme power, encouraging all to align their lives with His righteous will.

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.

  • Ezekiel 14:17

    Or [if] I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it:

  • Micah 6:9

    ¶ The LORD'S voice crieth unto the city, and [the man of] wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.

  • Isaiah 10:6

    I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

  • Ezekiel 25:16

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast.

  • Zephaniah 2:6

    And the sea coast shall be dwellings [and] cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.

  • Zephaniah 2:7

    And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.

  • Isaiah 45:1

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

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