John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 47:1

"The word of Jehovah that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza." — Jeremiah 47:1 (ASV)

Jeremiah prophesies here against the Philistines, who were enemies of the Israelites and had devised many cruel and unjust things against them. There is then no doubt that God intended to testify, by this prophecy, His love toward the Israelites, for He undertook their cause and avenged the wrongs done to them. We therefore perceive why God had predicted the ruin of the Philistines: so that the Israelites might know His paternal love toward them, as He set Himself against their enemies. Thus, He gave them a reason for patience, because they needed to wait until God fulfilled this prophecy.

He also points out the time: Before Pharaoh smote Aza, or Gaza. The ancient Gaza, as far as can be determined, was near the sea. After it was destroyed, another was built, which Luke mentions (Acts 8:26). It appears from pagan writers that it was a celebrated and wealthy city.

However, those who think its name is derived from the Persian word “Gaza,” meaning treasures, are mistaken, for they say that when Cambyses led an army against Egypt, he left his riches there. But the word עזה, Oze, is a very ancient Hebrew word. It is well known that the ע, oin, has been pronounced like our 'g'. This is also the case with other words; for instance, with Gomorrah, עמרה, the ע, oin, has the sound of ג, gimel; so also with צער, Tsor, the Greek and Latin interpreters have rendered it Segor. Therefore, Gaza did not derive its name from treasures; rather, it is a Hebrew word meaning “fortitude” or “strength.”

Now Jeremiah says that he prophesied against the Philistines before Pharaoh smote that city, though Pharaoh did not demolish it. But we see that the Prophet issues no threats against it from the Egyptians, but rather from the Chaldeans. Why then does he speak here of Pharaoh?

We must refer to history, and then we will see what the purpose of the Holy Spirit was. When Pharaoh came to bring assistance to the Jews under Zedekiah, as we have already seen, he was soon compelled to return to Egypt. This was because the Chaldeans, having lifted the siege, went against the Egyptians; for if they routed them, they knew that they could soon take possession of all Judea.

Having then left the Jews for a time, the Chaldeans went against the Egyptians. Pharaoh, lacking confidence in himself, as I have said, retreated. However, he plundered Gaza on his way, because it was very hostile to the Jews; and he wished to show that he did not come entirely in vain, though this afforded no relief to the Jews. But thus in insignificant things earthly kings make a display.

So Pharaoh, at that time, plundered Gaza, but he did not retain it. It was at this time that Jeremiah predicted greater calamities. And this should be carefully noted, for there would be no reason why the Prophet spoke of the Philistines unless he had something further in view. Let us now turn to the second verse.