*H The word of the Lord that came to Jeremias the prophet against the people of Palestine, before Pharao took Gaza.
Ver. 1. Gaza, going or returning from Charcamis. Apries also attacked Tyre, and would of course invade the Philistines. They had assisted the Tyrians against Nabuchodonosor, who therefore made incursions into their territory, and into that of Ammon, &c. while the main part of his army besieged Tyre for thirteen years. C.
*H At the noise of the marching of arms, and of his soldiers, at the rushing of his chariots, and the multitude of his wheels. The fathers have not looked back to the children, for feebleness of hands,
Ver. 3. Marching. Lit. "pomp," (H.) or warlike apparatus. H. — Prot. "stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at," &c. H. — Children. Fear makes one forget the nearest relations, while each one provides for himself. C. ix. 4. Mic. vii. 5. Mat. x. 35.
*H 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.
Ver. 4. Tyre. See C. xlvii. 4. Ezec. xxvi. &c. — Sidon. It had rejoiced at the downfall of its rival, (Is. xxiii. 4.) and of the Jews. Joel iii. 4. Ezec. xxviii. 24. Artax Ochus punished it severely; (C.) and its own king, Tenner, betrayed his subjects, who were slain by the Persians, or burnt themselves in the conflagration of the city. Diodor. Olym. 177. a. 2. — Helpers; Philistines, who came originally from the isle of Caphtor, or Crete. — Cappadocia was not an island, or near the sea, (C.) but at a distance from the Jews. Sanct.
* Footnote * Deuteronomy 2 : 23
The Hevites also, that dwelt in Haserim as far as Gaza, were expelled by the Cappadocians: who came out of Cappadocia, and destroyed them and dwelt in their stead.* Footnote * Amos 9 : 7
Are not you as the children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel, saith the Lord? did not I bring up Israel, out of the land of Egypt: and the Philistines out of Cappadocia, and the Syrians out of Cyrene?*H Baldness is come upon Gaza: Ascalon hath held her peace with the remnant of their valley: how long shalt thou cut thyself?
Ver. 5. Baldness, the sign of mourning, (C.) or captivity. H. — Peace. Heb. "shall be destroyed." Sept. "cast away." She has afforded no assistance to Gaza. H. — Valley, along the Mediterranean. C. — Lit. "And ye remnants of their valley, how?" &c. — Cut, in despair or grief. C. xli. 5. Sept. "Remnants of the Enakeim, (giants) how long wilt thou make incisions?" H. — The race of Enack dwelt in those parts; though ánkim seems to have been mistaken for ankom. C.
*H O thou sword of the Lord, how long wilt thou not be quiet? Go into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.
Ver. 6. Sword. He is moved with pity to see so much carnage, but reflects that such is the will of God. Nabuchodonosor was his sword or scourge. C.