percuteret Pharao Azah.
Jeremiah 47
CHAPTER 47
Jeremiah 47:1
1. The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.
1. Qui fuit sermo Jehovae ad Jeremiam Prophetam contra Philistim antequam percuteret Pharao Azah.
Jeremiah prophesies here against the Philistines, who were enemies to the Israelites, and had contrived against them many cruel and unjust things. There is then no doubt, but that God intended to testify, by this prophecy, his love towards the Israelites, for he undertook their cause, and avenged the wrongs done to them.
We hence perceive why God had predicted the ruin of the Philistines, even that the
Israelites might know his paternal love towards them, as he set himself against their enemies; and thus he gave them a reason for patience, because it behooved them to wait until God fulfilled this prophecy.
And he points out the time, Before Pharaoh smote Aza, or Gaza. The ancient Gaza, as far as we can find out, was near the sea; but after it was destroyed, another was built, which is mentioned by Luke, (Acts 8:26;) it appears from heathen writers that it was a celebrated city and opulent. But they are mistaken who think that its name is derived from the Persic word ``Gaza,'' which means treasures; for they say, that when Cambyses led an army against Egypt, he left there his riches. But the word
{,}עזהOze, is a very ancient Hebrew word; and it is well known that the {,}עoin, has been pronounced like our g; and this is the case as to other words, as for instance,
Gomorrah, {,}עמרהthe {,}עoin, has the sound of {,}גgimel; so also {,}צערTsor, the Greek and Latin interpreters have rendered it, Segor. Then Gaza has not derived its name from treasures, but it is a Hebrew word, signifying fortitude or strength.
Now Jeremiah says, that he prophesied against the Philistines before Pharaoh smote that city, but he did not demolish it. But we see that the Prophet threatens