King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 47:2 Mean?

Jeremiah 47:2 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. all that: Heb. the fulness thereof”

Jeremiah 47:2 · KJV

Context

1

The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza. Gaza: Heb. Azzah

2

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. all that: Heb. the fulness thereof

3

At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;

4

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. the country: Heb. the isle

Read Jeremiah 47 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה הִנֵּה־מַיִם עֹלִים מִצָּפוֹן)—The mayim olim (rising waters) metaphor depicts Babylonian invasion as an unstoppable flood. And shall be an overflowing flood (וְהָיוּ לְנַחַל שׁוֹטֵף) uses nachal shotef (torrential stream), evoking the destructive power of flash floods in desert wadis. The imagery contrasts with the "north" motif—Babylon approaches from arid regions but comes like overwhelming waters.

Then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl (וְזָעֲקוּ הָאָדָם וְהֵילִל כֹּל־יוֹשֵׁב הָאָרֶץ)—zaaq (cry out) and heilil (howl/wail) denote desperate lamentation. The comprehensive kol yoshev ha'arets (all inhabitants of the land) leaves no one untouched by judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Mesopotamian armies were often compared to floods in ancient Near Eastern literature. The Babylonian Chronicle confirms Nebuchadnezzar's campaigns along the Mediterranean coast (c. 604-603 BC), fulfilling this prophecy. Philistine cities like Ashkelon were destroyed during these invasions.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Scripture use water imagery (usually associated with blessing) to describe judgment?
  2. How does the "north" consistently represent threat throughout Jeremiah's prophecies?
  3. What does universal crying and howling teach about the comprehensive nature of divine judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
כֹּ֣ה׀1 of 22
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר2 of 22

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֗ה3 of 22

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הִנֵּה4 of 22
H2009

lo!

מַ֜יִם5 of 22

“Behold waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

עֹלִ֤ים6 of 22

“rise up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מִצָּפוֹן֙7 of 22

“out of the north”

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

וְהָיוּ֙8 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְנַ֣חַל9 of 22

“flood”

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

וְיִשְׁטְפוּ֙10 of 22

“and shall be an overflowing”

H7857

to gush; by implication, to inundate, cleanse; by analogy, to gallop, conquer

וְיִשְׁטְפוּ֙11 of 22

“and shall be an overflowing”

H7857

to gush; by implication, to inundate, cleanse; by analogy, to gallop, conquer

הָאָֽרֶץ׃12 of 22

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וּמְלוֹאָ֔הּ13 of 22

“and all that is therein”

H4393

fulness (literally or figuratively)

עִ֖יר14 of 22

“the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

יוֹשֵׁ֥ב15 of 22

“and all the inhabitants”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בָ֑הּ16 of 22
H0
וְזָֽעֲקוּ֙17 of 22

“shall cry”

H2199

to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly

הָֽאָדָ֔ם18 of 22

“therein then the men”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

וְהֵילִ֕ל19 of 22

“shall howl”

H3213

to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one)

כֹּ֖ל20 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יוֹשֵׁ֥ב21 of 22

“and all the inhabitants”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

הָאָֽרֶץ׃22 of 22

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 47:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 47:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 1:14Isaiah 8:7-8Isaiah 15:2-5Jeremiah 46:20Jeremiah 8:16Jeremiah 46:6-8

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