Daily Tanach – Yirmiyahu Chapter 47: The Overwhelming Judgment on the Philistines (Sunday, 1st Teves)

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Chapter 47: The Overwhelming Judgment on the Philistines

1. Context of the Prophecy (47:1)

This word of G‑d came to Yirmiyahu concerning the Pelishtim (Philistines) before Pharaoh struck Gaza. It foretells a coming calamity from the north that will overwhelm the Philistine cities.

2. The Flood of Destruction (47:2–4)

G‑d describes an invading force like rising waters from the north, flooding the land and its inhabitants. The sound of galloping horses, chariots, and wheels will terrify the people so much that fathers will not turn back to help their sons because of weakness and fear. This day will bring plunder upon all the Philistines and cut off every ally from Tzor (Tyre) and Tzidon. G‑d Himself will destroy the Philistines, the remnant of the island of Kaftor.

3. Mourning and Desolation (47:5)

Gaza will be shaved bald in mourning, and Ashkelon will become a desolate ruin. The survivors will grieve deeply, tearing their flesh in anguish, asking how long this suffering will continue.

4. The Sword of G‑d (47:6–7)

The prophecy concludes with a poetic dialogue: “Ho! Sword of G‑d, how long will you not be silent? Go back into your sheath, rest and be still.” But the sword cannot rest, for G‑d has commanded it to strike Ashkelon and the seacoast. His judgment is appointed and inevitable.

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.