Jeremiah 47:2

¹ This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet about the Philistines before Pharaoh struck down Gaza.

This is what the LORD says: “See how the waters are rising from the north and becoming an overflowing torrent. They will overflow the land and its fullness, the cities and their inhabitants. The people will cry out, and all who dwell in the land will wail

³ 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.

⁴ 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.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: This is what the LORD says: “See how the waters are rising from the north and becoming an overflowing torrent. They will overflow the land and its fullness, the cities and their inhabitants. The people will cry out, and all who dwell in the land will wail
KJV: Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.
WEB: The LORD says: “Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and will become an overflowing stream, and will overflow the land and all that is therein, the city and those who dwell therein. The men will cry, and all the inhabitants of the land will wail.
ASV: Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall become an overflowing stream, and shall overflow the land and all that is therein, the city and them that dwell therein; and the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall wail.
DARBY: Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall become an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: and the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl,
BLB: Thus says YHWH: “Behold, the waters are coming up from the north, and they will be overwhelming as a flood, and they will overwhelm the land and its fullness, the city and those dwelling in it; and man will cry out, and all those dwelling in the land will wail.

ÅB: Så sier Herren: Se, vann stiger opp fra nord, og det blir til en flommende elv, og det flommer utover landene og alt som i dem er, byene og dem som bor i dem. Menneskene skriker, og alle som bor på jorden, jamrer seg;
OTB: Så sier Herren, hærskarenes Gud: “Se, vann stiger opp fra nord— de vil bli en overstrømmende flom, og vil oversvømme landet og alt som fyller det; Byen, og de som bor i den, vil gå ned; krigere vil rope ut den dagen.
B1930: Så sier Herren: Se, vann stiger op fra nord, og det blir til en flommende elv, og det flommer utover landene og alt som i dem er, byene og dem som bor i dem. Menneskene skriker, og alle som bor på jorden, jamrer sig;

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Jeremiah 1:14
Then the LORD said to me, “Disaster from the north will be poured out on all who live in the land.
Read in context
Jeremiah 8:16
The snorting of enemy horses is heard from Dan. At the sound of the neighing of mighty steeds, the whole land quakes. They come to devour the land and everything in it, the city and all who dwell in it.
Read in context
Jeremiah 46:20
Egypt is a beautiful heifer, but a gadfly from the north is coming against her.
Read in context
Isaiah 8:7–8
the Lord will surely bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the Euphrates — the king of Assyria and all his pomp. It will overflow its channels and overrun its banks.
Read in context
Isaiah 15:2–5
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.
Read in context
1 Corinthians 10:28
But if someone tells you, “This food was offered to idols,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience—
Read in context
Isaiah 15:8
For their outcry echoes to the border of Moab. Their wailing reaches Eglaim; it is heard in Beer-elim.
Read in context
Revelation 17:1
Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.
Read in context