King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 47:6 Mean?

Jeremiah 47:6 in the King James Version says “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. p...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. put: Heb. gather thyself”

Jeremiah 47:6 · KJV

Context

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

5

Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?

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. put: Heb. gather thyself

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: Heb. How canst thou

Read Jeremiah 47 full chapter

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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. The prophet personifies the sword of divine judgment, crying out for it to cease its devastating work. "Sword of the LORD" (cherev laYHVH, חֶרֶב לַיהוָה) identifies Babylon's military conquest as God's instrument—not merely human warfare but divine judgment. The possessive "of the LORD" indicates ownership and control: this sword acts under God's authority and direction.

"How long will it be ere thou be quiet?" (ad anah lo tishhaqti, עַד־אָנָה לֹא תִשְׁקֹטִי) expresses exhaustion with prolonged judgment. The verb שָׁקַט (shaqat) means to be quiet, at rest, or inactive. This plaintive cry recognizes the sword's relentless activity—campaign after campaign, city after city, year after year of destruction. The threefold imperative that follows intensifies the plea: "put up thyself into thy scabbard" (heasfi, הֵאָסְפִי, gather yourself in), "rest" (hiragai, הִרָּגְעִי, be at ease), and "be still" (domi, דֹּמִי, be silent/cease).

This verse captures ambivalence toward divine judgment: recognizing its justice while longing for its end. The speaker (whether Jeremiah or representing the Philistines) acknowledges the sword as the LORD's but pleads for mercy. This tension between justice and mercy, judgment and compassion, pervades prophetic literature. The cry anticipates the greater question: when will God's wrath be satisfied? The answer comes only through Christ, who absorbed divine wrath on the cross, satisfying justice and enabling mercy.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The imagery of God's sword executing judgment appears throughout Scripture (Deuteronomy 32:41-42, Isaiah 34:5-6, Ezekiel 21:3-5). Ancient Near Eastern warfare was brutal, with campaigns often involving siege, slaughter, and destruction of entire cities. Babylonian military tactics, documented in both biblical and extra-biblical sources, included systematic devastation designed to prevent rebellion and ensure submission.

Nebuchadnezzar's campaigns against the western territories (including Philistia, Judah, Phoenicia, and others) extended over decades. The Babylonian Chronicle records multiple military expeditions between 605-585 BCE as Nebuchadnezzar consolidated control over territories formerly dominated by Assyria and Egypt. The sustained nature of these campaigns—"how long?"—reflects historical reality: Babylon's sword was not quickly sheathed but remained active for years.

The plea for the sword to return to its scabbard echoes ancient Near Eastern concepts of divine weapons that execute judgment and then rest. Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Canaanite texts describe war deities whose weapons personify destructive power. Jeremiah adopts this imagery while radically redefining it: the LORD alone controls the sword, using even pagan Babylon as His instrument, and will determine when judgment ceases.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should believers understand the tension between longing for God's judgment on evil and hoping for His mercy?
  2. In what ways does Christ's cross answer the cry "how long?" by satisfying divine justice and enabling the sword to be sheathed?
  3. What does God's use of pagan nations as His "sword" teach about His sovereignty over all historical events and powers?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
ה֗וֹי1 of 12

“O”

H1945

oh!

חֶ֚רֶב2 of 12

“thou sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

לַֽיהוָ֔ה3 of 12

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

עַד4 of 12
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

אָ֖נָה5 of 12
H575

where?; hence, whither?, when?; also hither and thither

לֹ֣א6 of 12

“how long will it be ere”

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִשְׁקֹ֑טִי7 of 12

“thou be quiet”

H8252

to repose (usually figurative)

הֵאָֽסְפִי֙8 of 12

“put up”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

אַל9 of 12
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

תַּעְרֵ֔ךְ10 of 12

“thyself into thy scabbard”

H8593

a knife or razor (as making bare); also a scabbard (as being bare, i.e., empty)

הֵרָגְעִ֖י11 of 12

“rest”

H7280

properly, to toss violently and suddenly (the sea with waves, the skin with boils); figuratively (in a favorable manner) to settle, i.e., quiet; speci

וָדֹֽמִּי׃12 of 12

“and be still”

H1826

to be dumb; by implication, to be astonished, to stop; also to perish

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 47:6 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 47:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 12:12Ezekiel 21:3-5Ezekiel 21:30John 18:11Ezekiel 14:17Jeremiah 25:27

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