Jeremiah 47:4
New International Version
For the day has come to destroy all the Philistines and to remove all survivors who could help Tyre and Sidon. The LORD is about to destroy the Philistines, the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor.

New Living Translation
“The time has come for the Philistines to be destroyed, along with their allies from Tyre and Sidon. Yes, the LORD is destroying the remnant of the Philistines, those colonists from the island of Crete.

English Standard Version
because of the day that is coming to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper that remains. For the LORD is destroying the Philistines, the remnant of the coastland of Caphtor.

Berean Standard Bible
For the day has come to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every remaining ally. Indeed, the LORD is about to destroy the Philistines, the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor.

King James Bible
Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.

New King James Version
Because of the day that comes to plunder all the Philistines, To cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper who remains; For the LORD shall plunder the Philistines, The remnant of the country of Caphtor.

New American Standard Bible
Because of the day that is coming To destroy all the Philistines, To eliminate from Tyre and Sidon Every surviving ally; For the LORD is going to destroy the Philistines, The remnant of the coastland of Caphtor.

NASB 1995
On account of the day that is coming To destroy all the Philistines, To cut off from Tyre and Sidon Every ally that is left; For the LORD is going to destroy the Philistines, The remnant of the coastland of Caphtor.

NASB 1977
On account of the day that is coming To destroy all the Philistines, To cut off from Tyre and Sidon Every ally that is left; For the LORD is going to destroy the Philistines, The remnant of the coastland of Caphtor.

Legacy Standard Bible
On account of the day that is coming To destroy all the Philistines, To cut off from Tyre and Sidon Every ally that is left; For Yahweh is going to destroy the Philistines, The remnant of the coastland of Caphtor.

Amplified Bible
Because of the day that is coming To destroy all the Philistines And to cut off from Tyre and Sidon Every ally who remains. For the LORD is going to destroy the Philistines, The remnant [still surviving] of the coastland of Caphtor.

Christian Standard Bible
on account of the day that is coming to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every remaining ally. Indeed, the LORD is about to destroy the Philistines, the remnant of the coastland of Caphtor.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
on account of the day that is coming to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every remaining ally. Indeed, the LORD is about to destroy the Philistines, the remnant of the islands of Caphtor.

American Standard Version
because of the day that cometh to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper that remaineth: for Jehovah will destroy the Philistines, the remnant of the isle of Caphtor.

Contemporary English Version
You refugees from Crete, your time has now come, and I will destroy you. None of you will be left to help the cities of Tyre and Sidon.

English Revised Version
because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the isle of Caphtor.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The time has come to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon any Philistine who might have escaped to get help. The LORD will destroy the Philistines and anyone who is left from the island of Crete.

Good News Translation
The time has come to destroy Philistia, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon all the help that remains. I, the LORD, will destroy the Philistines, all who came from the shores of Crete.

International Standard Version
for the day is coming to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper who remains. For the LORD is destroying the Philistines, the remnant of the coastlands of Caphtor.

Majority Standard Bible
For the day has come to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every remaining ally. Indeed, the LORD is about to destroy the Philistines, the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor.

NET Bible
For the time has come to destroy all the Philistines. The time has come to destroy all the help that remains for Tyre and Sidon. For I, the LORD, will destroy the Philistines, that remnant that came from the island of Crete.

New Heart English Bible
because of the day that comes to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper who remains: for the LORD will destroy the Philistines, the remnant of the isle of Caphtor.

Webster's Bible Translation
Because of the day that cometh to lay waste all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyre and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will lay waste the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.

World English Bible
because of the day that comes to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper who remains; for Yahweh will destroy the Philistines, the remnant of the isle of Caphtor.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Because of the day that has come to spoil all the Philistines, "" To cut off every helping remnant from Tyre and from Sidon. For YHWH is spoiling the Philistines, "" The remnant of the island of Caphtor.

Young's Literal Translation
Because of the day that hath come to spoil all the Philistines, To cut off to Tyre and to Zidon every helping remnant. For Jehovah is spoiling the Philistines, The remnant of the isle of Caphtor.

Smith's Literal Translation
For the day came to lay waste all the rovers, to cut off from Tyre and Zidon every one left of help: for Jehovah laid waste the rovers, the remnant of the island of Caphtor.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Because of the coming of the day, in which all the Philistines shall be laid waste, and Tyre and Sidon shall be destroyed, with all the rest of their helpers. For the Lord hath wasted the Philistines, the remnant of the isle of Cappadocia.

Catholic Public Domain Version
because of the arrival of the day on which all the Philistines will be devastated, and Tyre and Sidon will be destroyed, with all the rest of their helpers. For the Lord has depopulated the Philistines, the remnant of the island of Cappadocia.

New American Bible
Because of the day that is coming to destroy all the Philistines And cut off from Tyre and Sidon the last of their allies. Yes, the LORD is destroying the Philistines, the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor.

New Revised Standard Version
because of the day that is coming to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper that remains. For the LORD is destroying the Philistines, the remnant of the coastland of Caphtor.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Behold, the day has come to plunder all the Philistines and to destroy Tyre and Sidon and every helper that remains; for the LORD will smite the Philistines, the remnant of the islands of Caphtor.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Behold, the day has come to plunder all Philistines and to destroy Tyre and Tsidon and everyone who was left to help, because LORD JEHOVAH put the Philistines to the sword, and the rest of the islands of the Qaphodoqians
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Because of the day that cometh To spoil all the Philistines, To cut off from Tyre and Zidon Every helper that remaineth; For the LORD will spoil the Philistines, The remnant of the isle of Caphtor.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
in the day that is coming to destroy all the Philistines: and I will utterly destroy Tyre and Sidon and all the rest of their allies: for the Lord will destroy the remaining inhabitants of the islands.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Judgment on the Philistines
3at 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. 4For the day has come to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every remaining ally. Indeed, the LORD is about to destroy the Philistines, the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor. 5The people of Gaza will shave their heads in mourning; Ashkelon will be silenced. O remnant of their valley, how long will you gash yourself?…

Cross References
Ezekiel 25:16
therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant along the coast.

Isaiah 14:29-31
Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken. For a viper will spring from the root of the snake, and a flying serpent from its egg. / Then the firstborn of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety, but I will kill your root by famine, and your remnant will be slain. / Wail, O gate! Cry out, O city! Melt away, all you Philistines! For a cloud of smoke comes from the north, and there are no stragglers in its ranks.

Zephaniah 2:4-7
For Gaza will be abandoned, and Ashkelon left in ruins. Ashdod will be driven out at noon, and Ekron will be uprooted. / Woe to the dwellers of the seacoast, O nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines: “I will destroy you, and no one will be left.” / So the seacoast will become a land of pastures, with wells for shepherds and folds for sheep. ...

Amos 1:6-8
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Gaza, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they exiled a whole population, delivering them up to Edom. / So I will send fire upon the walls of Gaza, to consume its citadels. / I will cut off the ruler of Ashdod and the one who wields the scepter in Ashkelon. I will turn My hand against Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistines will perish,” says the Lord GOD.

Isaiah 23:1-18
This is the burden against Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor. Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus. / Be silent, O dwellers of the coastland, you merchants of Sidon, whose traders have crossed the sea. / On the great waters came the grain of Shihor; the harvest of the Nile was the revenue of Tyre; she was the merchant of the nations. ...

Joel 3:4-8
Now what do you have against Me, O Tyre, Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you rendering against Me a recompense? If you retaliate against Me, I will swiftly and speedily return your recompense upon your heads. / For you took My silver and gold and carried off My finest treasures to your temples. / You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, to send them far from their homeland. ...

Zechariah 9:5-7
Ashkelon will see and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, as will Ekron, for her hope will wither. There will cease to be a king in Gaza, and Ashkelon will be uninhabited. / A mixed race will occupy Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. / I will remove the blood from their mouths and the abominations from between their teeth. Then they too will become a remnant for our God; they will become like a clan in Judah, and Ekron will be like the Jebusites.

Isaiah 11:14
They will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines to the west; together they will plunder the sons of the east. They will lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them.

Obadiah 1:19-21
Those from the Negev will possess the mountains of Esau; those from the foothills will possess the land of the Philistines. They will occupy the fields of Ephraim and Samaria, and Benjamin will possess Gilead. / And the exiles of this host of the Israelites will possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath; and the exiles from Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the cities of the Negev. / The deliverers will ascend Mount Zion to rule over the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will belong to the LORD.

Ezekiel 28:21-23
“Son of man, set your face against Sidon and prophesy against her. / And you are to declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I am against you, O Sidon, and I will be glorified within you. They will know that I am the LORD when I execute judgments against her and demonstrate My holiness through her. / I will send a plague against her and shed blood in her streets; the slain will fall within her, while the sword is against her on every side. Then they will know that I am the LORD.

Isaiah 9:12
Aram from the east and Philistia from the west have devoured Israel with open mouths. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.

Ezekiel 30:15-16
I will pour out My wrath on Pelusium, the stronghold of Egypt, and cut off the crowds of Thebes. / I will set fire to Egypt, Pelusium will writhe in anguish, Thebes will be split open, and Memphis will face daily distress.

Isaiah 15:1-9
This is the burden against Moab: Ar in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night! Kir in Moab is devastated, destroyed in a night! / Dibon goes up to its temple to weep at its high places. Moab wails over Nebo, as well as over Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off. / In its streets they wear sackcloth; on the rooftops and in the public squares they all wail, falling down weeping. ...

Isaiah 16:1-14
Send the tribute lambs to the ruler of the land, from Sela in the desert to the mount of Daughter Zion. / Like fluttering birds pushed out of the nest, so are the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon: / “Give us counsel; render a decision. Shelter us at noonday with shade as dark as night. Hide the refugees; do not betray the one who flees. ...

Isaiah 17:1-3
This is the burden against Damascus: “Behold, Damascus is no longer a city; it has become a heap of ruins. / The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be left to the flocks, which will lie down with no one to fear. / The fortress will disappear from Ephraim, and the sovereignty from Damascus. The remnant of Aram will be like the splendor of the Israelites,” declares the LORD of Hosts.


Treasury of Scripture

Because of the day that comes to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remains: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.

the day

Jeremiah 46:10
For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.

Psalm 37:13
The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

Isaiah 10:3
And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?

Tyrus

Jeremiah 25:20-22
And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod, …

Isaiah 23:1-18
The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them…

Ezekiel 26:1-28:26
And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, …

every

Job 9:13
If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.

Isaiah 20:6
And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape?

Isaiah 31:8
Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.

remnant

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.

Amos 1:8
And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD.

Amos 9:7
Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir?

country [heb] isle

Joshua 22:30
And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them.

Isaiah 20:6
And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape?

Caphtor

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Account Ally Caphtor Coastland Coasts Country Cut Destroy Destroying Help Helper Isle Lay Philistines Remnant Sidon Spoil Survivors Tyre Tyrus Waste Zidon
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Account Ally Caphtor Coastland Coasts Country Cut Destroy Destroying Help Helper Isle Lay Philistines Remnant Sidon Spoil Survivors Tyre Tyrus Waste Zidon
Jeremiah 47
1. The destruction of the Philistines














For the day has come
This phrase signifies a divinely appointed time of judgment. In the Hebrew context, "day" often refers to a specific time of God's intervention. The "day" here is not just a 24-hour period but a significant moment in history when God's will is executed. This reflects the biblical theme of God's sovereignty over time and history, emphasizing that He orchestrates events according to His divine plan.

to destroy all the Philistines
The Philistines were a perennial enemy of Israel, often representing opposition to God's people. The Hebrew word for "destroy" (שָׁחַת, shachat) implies complete ruin or devastation. This destruction is not merely a military defeat but a divine act of judgment. Historically, the Philistines were known for their advanced weaponry and formidable military presence, yet this verse underscores that no earthly power can withstand God's judgment.

to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every remaining ally
Tyre and Sidon were prominent Phoenician cities known for their wealth and strategic coastal locations. The phrase "cut off" (כָּרַת, karat) in Hebrew often implies a covenantal severance, indicating a complete end to alliances. This highlights the futility of relying on human alliances for security when God has decreed judgment. It serves as a reminder of the ultimate authority of God over nations and their relationships.

For the LORD is about to destroy the Philistines
The repetition of the impending destruction emphasizes the certainty of God's judgment. The use of "LORD" (יהוה, Yahweh) is significant, as it is the covenant name of God, underscoring His faithfulness and justice. This phrase reassures believers of God's active role in history, executing justice and fulfilling His promises.

the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor
Caphtor is traditionally identified with Crete, suggesting the Philistines' origins. The term "remnant" (שְׁאֵרִית, she'erit) often refers to what is left after a judgment or calamity. In this context, it indicates that even the survivors from the Philistines' original homeland will not escape God's judgment. This serves as a powerful reminder of God's comprehensive justice, reaching even to the roots of a people or nation.

(4) To cut off from Tyrus and Zidon.--The two Ph?nician cities are coupled with Philistia. Both, as occupying the sea-board of Palestine, were to suffer from Nebuchadnezzar's invasion. Psalm 83:7 indicates that they were not unfrequently in alliance. In the "helper that remaineth" we have probably a reference to the foreign mercenaries, especially the Philistines, employed by the two great commercial cities. "Caphtor" has been identified with Crete, Cyprus, Caria, Cappadocia, and the delta of the Nile. On the latter view the name is held to be connected with Coptic. Amos 9:7 points to a migration of the people known as Philistines from that region, and there is accordingly a touch of scorn in the way in which Jeremiah speaks of them as the mere "remnant of Caphtor." In agreement with the first view we find among David's mercenaries the Cherethim and Pelethim (2Samuel 8:18), the two names being probably modifications of Cretans and Philistines. The ethnological table of Genesis 10:14 connects both the Philistines and the Caphtorim with Mizraim or Egypt, and is, so far as it goes, in favour of the Egyptian identification.

Verse 4. - The day that cometh; rather, the day that hath come (i.e. shall have come). It is "the day of the Lord" that is meant, that revolutionary "shaking of all things" (to use Haggai's expression, Haggai 2:21), as to which see further in note on Jeremiah 46:10. To cut off... every helper that remaineth; i.e. every ally on whom they could still reckon. This passage favours the view that the judgment upon the Philistines took place at the same time as that upon Tyre. Nebuchadnezzar's object was to isolate Tyre and Sidon as completely as possible. The remnant. The Philistines had suffered so much from repeated invasions as to be only a "remnant" of the once powerful nation which oppressed Israel (see on Jeremiah 25:20). The country of Caphtor. Some would render "the coastland of Caphtor," but the idea of "coast" seems to be a secondary one, derived in certain passages from the context. Properly speaking, it is a poetic synonym for "land," and is generally applied to distant and (accidentally) maritime countries. "Caphtor" was understood by the old versions to be Cappadocia. But as the remains of the Cappadocian language point to a Persian origin of the population which spoke it, and as the Caphtorim originally came from Egypt, it is more plausible to suppose, with Ebers, that Caphtor was a coast district of North Egypt. Crete has also been thought of (comp. Amos 9:7; Genesis 10:14; Deuteronomy 2:23).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the day
הַיּ֗וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

has come
הַבָּא֙ (hab·bā)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to destroy
לִשְׁד֣וֹד (liš·ḏō·wḏ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7703: To deal violently with, despoil, devastate, ruin

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the Philistines,
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (pə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

to cut off
לְהַכְרִ֤ית (lə·haḵ·rîṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

from Tyre
לְצֹר֙ (lə·ṣōr)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6865: Tyre -- a Phoenician city

and Sidon
וּלְצִיד֔וֹן (ū·lə·ṣî·ḏō·wn)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6721: Sidon -- a Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast, also a son of Canaan

every
כֹּ֖ל (kōl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

remaining
שָׂרִ֣יד (śā·rîḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8300: A survivor

ally.
עֹזֵ֑ר (‘ō·zêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5826: To surround, protect, aid

Indeed,
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

is about to destroy
שֹׁדֵ֤ד (šō·ḏêḏ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7703: To deal violently with, despoil, devastate, ruin

the Philistines,
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (pə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

the remnant
שְׁאֵרִ֖ית (šə·’ê·rîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7611: Rest, residue, remnant, remainder

from the coasts
אִ֥י (’î)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 339: A habitable spot, dry land, a coast, an island

of Caphtor.
כַפְתּֽוֹר׃ (ḵap̄·tō·wr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3731: Caphtor -- probably a name for Crete


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 47:4 Because of the day that comes (Jer.)
Jeremiah 47:3
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