Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 47:4. It’s a pretty serious and dramatic passage about impending disaster. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is predicting a terrible event – the destruction of the Philistines – but it’s also saying that God will cause this to happen. It’s a prophecy of a devastating loss for the people of Caphtor (the area around Tyrus and Zidon). Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Because of the day that cometh…” – This is a future event, something that will happen in the future . It’s not happening right now. “…to spoil all the Philistines…” – This means the Philistines (a group of people who lived in the coastal areas of Israel and Egypt) are going to be defeated. They're losing their strength and influence. “…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.” – This is where it gets more complex. Let’s break this down further: “every helper that remaineth…” - This means all the people who stayed behind after the Philistines were defeated. It's a group of people, likely some of the native inhabitants of the area. “…from Tyrus and Zidon” – This refers to specific locations in the region that were crucial to the Philistine power. These areas were strategically important. “the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.” - This is the key part. God is going to cause the Philistines to lose their power and become a smaller group. The "remnant" means they’ll be left behind as a small, vulnerable population. What does it mean in terms of history? This verse points to a significant period in Israel's history – the time when the Philistines were becoming increasingly powerful. This verse suggests that God is preparing for a major battle or conflict that will eventually lead to the loss of the Philistine power. It’s a warning about the potential for great hardship and devastation. Important Note: It's crucial to remember this is a prophecy, meaning it's a prediction of what will happen, not necessarily a guaranteed outcome. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Give you some context about the history of Caphtor and the Philistines?