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Jeremiah 47:3

Jeremiah 47:3 in Multiple Translations

at the sound of the galloping hooves of stallions, the rumbling of chariots, and the clatter of their wheels. The fathers will not turn back for their sons; their hands will hang limp.

At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;

At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong ones, at the rushing of his chariots, at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers look not back to their children for feebleness of hands;

At the noise of the stamping of the feet of his war-horses, at the rushing of his carriages and the thunder of his wheels, fathers will give no thought to their children, because their hands are feeble;

as they hear the sound of stallions charging, the rattling of chariots and the rumble of their wheels. Fathers won't go back to help their sons—they have no strength because they're terrified.

At the noise and stamping of ye hoofes of his strong horses, at the noise of his charets, and at the rumbling of his wheeles: ye fathers shall not looke backe to their children, for feeblenes of handes,

From the sound of the stamping of the hoofs of his mighty ones, From the rushing of his chariot, the noise of his wheels, Fathers have not turned unto sons, From feebleness of hands,

At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong ones, at the rushing of his chariots, at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers don’t look back for their children because their hands are so feeble,

At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses , at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands:

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,

They will hear the sound of the hooves of the enemy horses, and they will hear the rumble/noise of the wheels of their enemies’ chariots. Men will run away; they will not stop to help their children; they will be completely weak and helpless [MTY].

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Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 47:3

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Jeremiah 47:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB מִ/קּ֗וֹל שַֽׁעֲטַת֙ פַּרְס֣וֹת אַבִּירָ֔י/ו מֵ/רַ֣עַשׁ לְ/רִכְבּ֔/וֹ הֲמ֖וֹן גַּלְגִּלָּ֑י/ו לֹֽא הִפְנ֤וּ אָבוֹת֙ אֶל בָּנִ֔ים מֵֽ/רִפְי֖וֹן יָדָֽיִם
מִ/קּ֗וֹל qôwl H6963 voice Prep | N-ms
שַֽׁעֲטַת֙ shaʻăṭâh H8161 stamping N-fs
פַּרְס֣וֹת parçâh H6541 hoof N-fp
אַבִּירָ֔י/ו ʼabbîyr H47 mighty Adj | Suff
מֵ/רַ֣עַשׁ raʻash H7494 quaking Prep | N-ms
לְ/רִכְבּ֔/וֹ rekeb H7393 chariot Prep | N-ms | Suff
הֲמ֖וֹן hâmôwn H1995 crowd N-ms
גַּלְגִּלָּ֑י/ו galgal H1534 wheel N-mp | Suff
לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 not Part
הִפְנ֤וּ pânâh H6437 Corner (Gate) V-Hiphil-Perf-3cp
אָבוֹת֙ ʼâb H1 father N-mp
אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep
בָּנִ֔ים bên H1121 son N-mp
מֵֽ/רִפְי֖וֹן riphyôwn H7510 feebleness Prep | N-ms
יָדָֽיִם yâd H3027 hand N-cd
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 47:3

מִ/קּ֗וֹל qôwl H6963 "voice" Prep | N-ms
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)
Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.
שַֽׁעֲטַת֙ shaʻăṭâh H8161 "stamping" N-fs
This word describes the sound of stamping or crushing, like the noise of horse hooves. It's a loud and intense clatter. In the Bible, it's used to describe powerful movements.
Definition: stamping (of hoofs), crushing noise
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: stamping. See also: Jeremiah 47:3.
פַּרְס֣וֹת parçâh H6541 "hoof" N-fp
A claw or split hoof, often referring to the feet of animals like cows or horses, is described by this word. It appears in Leviticus 11, where it discusses clean and unclean animals.
Definition: 1) hoof 1a) of ruminants 1b) of horses (undivided hooves)
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: claw, (cloven-) footed, hoof. See also: Exodus 10:26; Deuteronomy 14:7; Isaiah 5:28.
אַבִּירָ֔י/ו ʼabbîyr H47 "mighty" Adj | Suff
A term used to describe something or someone as mighty or strong, often referring to God or powerful animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe God's power, like in Genesis 49:24, and strong animals, like oxen.
Definition: 1) mighty, valiant 1a) of men 1b) of angels 1c) of animals 1d) (metaph) 1d1) of enemies 1d2) of princes 1d3) of sacrificial objects 1e) obstinate (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: angel, bull, chiefest, mighty (one), stout(-hearted), strong (one), valiant. See also: Judges 5:22; Psalms 78:25; Psalms 22:13.
מֵ/רַ֣עַשׁ raʻash H7494 "quaking" Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word describes a quaking or shaking motion, often used to describe an earthquake or a person trembling with fear. It appears in the books of Isaiah and Ezekiel, describing God's judgment and power.
Definition: 1) quaking, rattling, shaking 1a) earthquake 1b) quaking, trembling (of person) 1c) shaking, quivering (of dart)
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: commotion, confused noise, earthquake, fierceness, quaking, rattling, rushing, shaking. See also: 1 Kings 19:11; Ezekiel 3:12; Isaiah 9:4.
לְ/רִכְבּ֔/וֹ rekeb H7393 "chariot" Prep | N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for chariot refers to a vehicle, team of horses, or cavalry. It is also used to describe the upper millstone in a grinding mill. Chariots were important in biblical times for transportation and war.
Definition: : chariot 1) a team, chariot, chariotry, mill-stone, riders 1a) chariotry, chariots 1b) chariot (single) 1c) upper millstone (as riding on lower millstone) 1d) riders, troop (of riders), horsemen, pair of horsemen, men riding, ass-riders, camel-riders Also means: re.khev (רֶ֫כֶב ": millstone" H7393H)
Usage: Occurs in 104 OT verses. KJV: chariot, (upper) millstone, multitude (from the margin), wagon. See also: Genesis 50:9; 2 Kings 8:21; Psalms 20:8.
הֲמ֖וֹן hâmôwn H1995 "crowd" N-ms
Being in a state of turmoil or having a lot of noise is what this Hebrew word means. It can also refer to a large crowd or abundance of something, like in the book of Proverbs where it describes a multitude of people.
Definition: 1) murmur, roar, crowd, abundance, tumult, sound 1a) sound, murmur, rush, roar 1b) tumult, confusion 1c) crowd, multitude 1d) great number, abundance 1e) abundance, wealth
Usage: Occurs in 78 OT verses. KJV: abundance, company, many, multitude, multiply, noise, riches, rumbling, sounding, store, tumult. See also: Genesis 17:4; Isaiah 33:3; Psalms 37:16.
גַּלְגִּלָּ֑י/ו galgal H1534 "wheel" N-mp | Suff
This word refers to a wheel or a whirlwind, and is also used to describe dust that is whirled around. In the Bible, it is used to describe the motion of wheels and the power of nature. The word has various translations, including heaven and rolling thing.
Definition: 1) wheel, whirl, whirlwind, whirling 1a) wheel 1b) whirl (of dust, chaff) Aramaic equivalent: gal.gal (גַּלְגַּל "wheel" H1535)
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: heaven, rolling thing, wheel. See also: Psalms 77:19; Jeremiah 47:3; Psalms 83:14.
לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
הִפְנ֤וּ pânâh H6437 "Corner (Gate)" V-Hiphil-Perf-3cp
This Hebrew word means to turn or face something, like looking at a corner or a gate. It appears in descriptions of daily life and interactions, like in Genesis and Psalms. It's about changing direction or focus.
Definition: This name means corner, to turn, to turn back Another spelling of pin.nah (פִּנָּה "Corner( Gate)" H6438)
Usage: Occurs in 128 OT verses. KJV: appear, at (even-) tide, behold, cast out, come on, [idiom] corner, dawning, empty, go away, lie, look, mark, pass away, prepare, regard, (have) respect (to), (re-) turn (aside, away, back, face, self), [idiom] right (early). See also: Genesis 18:22; 2 Kings 13:23; Psalms 25:16.
אָבוֹת֙ ʼâb H1 "father" N-mp
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
בָּנִ֔ים bên H1121 "son" N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
מֵֽ/רִפְי֖וֹן riphyôwn H7510 "feebleness" Prep | N-ms
Riphyon means feebleness or slackness, describing a lack of strength or energy. It is used to describe physical or spiritual weakness.
Definition: sinking
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: feebleness. See also: Jeremiah 47:3.
יָדָֽיִם yâd H3027 "hand" N-cd
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.

Study Notes — Jeremiah 47:3

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Jeremiah 8:16 The snorting of enemy horses is heard from Dan. At the sound of the neighing of mighty steeds, the whole land quakes. They come to devour the land and everything in it, the city and all who dwell in it.
2 Judges 5:22 Then the hooves of horses thundered— the mad galloping of his stallions.
3 Nahum 3:2–3 The crack of the whip, the rumble of the wheel, galloping horse and bounding chariot! Charging horseman, flashing sword, shining spear; heaps of slain, mounds of corpses, dead bodies without end— they stumble over their dead—
4 Deuteronomy 28:54–55 The most gentle and refined man among you will begrudge his brother, the wife he embraces, and the rest of his children who have survived, refusing to share with any of them the flesh of his children he will eat because he has nothing left in the siege and distress that your enemy will inflict on you within all your gates.
5 Lamentations 4:3–4 Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but the daughter of my people has become cruel, like an ostrich in the wilderness. The nursing infant’s tongue clings in thirst to the roof of his mouth. Little children beg for bread, but no one gives them any.
6 Ezekiel 26:10–11 His multitude of horses will cover you in their dust. When he enters your gates as an army entering a breached city, your walls will shake from the noise of cavalry, wagons, and chariots. The hooves of his horses will trample all your streets. He will slaughter your people with the sword, and your mighty pillars will fall to the ground.
7 Nahum 2:4 The chariots dash through the streets; they rush around the plazas, appearing like torches, darting about like lightning.
8 Job 39:19–25 Do you give strength to the horse or adorn his neck with a mane? Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting? He paws in the valley and rejoices in his strength; he charges into battle. He laughs at fear, frightened of nothing; he does not turn back from the sword. A quiver rattles at his side, along with a flashing spear and lance. Trembling with excitement, he devours the distance; he cannot stand still when the ram’s horn sounds. At the blast of the horn, he snorts with fervor. He catches the scent of battle from afar— the shouts of captains and the cry of war.
9 Jeremiah 46:9 Advance, O horses! Race furiously, O chariots! Let the warriors come forth— Cush and Put carrying their shields, men of Lydia drawing the bow.

Jeremiah 47:3 Summary

Jeremiah 47:3 describes the terrifying sounds of an approaching army, which represents God's judgment on the Philistines. The fathers are so afraid that they won't even try to save their own sons, and they will be too weak to do anything. This verse reminds us that God is a God of justice and will punish sin, as seen in (Psalm 96:13) and (Isaiah 13:4). We should take this as a warning to repent and turn to God, just like the people of Gaza who shaved their heads in mourning, as mentioned in (Jeremiah 47:5).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the sounds mentioned in Jeremiah 47:3, such as the galloping hooves of stallions and the rumbling of chariots?

These sounds represent the approach of an army, symbolizing the coming judgment of God upon the Philistines, as also seen in Isaiah 13:4 and Ezekiel 26:7-11.

Why do the fathers not turn back for their sons in Jeremiah 47:3?

The fathers' inability to turn back for their sons indicates the overwhelming fear and panic that will grip the people in the face of God's judgment, much like the fear described in Deuteronomy 32:25 and Lamentations 1:20.

What does it mean for the fathers' hands to hang limp in Jeremiah 47:3?

The phrase 'their hands will hang limp' is a metaphor for the fathers' loss of strength and courage in the face of disaster, similar to the description of God's judgment in Jeremiah 6:24 and Ezekiel 7:17.

How does Jeremiah 47:3 relate to the rest of the chapter?

Jeremiah 47:3 is part of a larger prophecy against the Philistines, warning of God's coming judgment and destruction, as seen in Jeremiah 47:1-7 and supported by other scriptures like Zephaniah 2:4-7.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways in which I can prepare myself for the day of God's judgment, and how can I ensure that I am not caught off guard like the Philistines?
  2. How can I balance the fear of God's judgment with the knowledge of His love and mercy, as seen in scriptures like Psalm 103:8-14 and Romans 11:22?
  3. In what ways can I apply the lesson of the fathers' inability to turn back for their sons to my own life, and how can I prioritize the well-being of those around me?
  4. What are some practical steps I can take to 'gird up my loins' and prepare for the spiritual battles that lie ahead, as encouraged in scriptures like 1 Peter 1:13 and Ephesians 6:10-18?

Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 47:3

At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong [horses],.... The noise of the cavalry of Nebuchadnezzar's army, as they came marching on towards the country of the Philistines; who, being

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 47:3

At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 47:3

This is all but a description of the march of an army, so terrible as should make parents forget their natural affection, and flee away to save themselves, looking upon themselves as lost, and unable to protect their children.

Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 47:3

Jeremiah 47:3 At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong [horses], at the rushing of his chariots, [and at] the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to [their] children for feebleness of hands;Ver. 3. The fathers shall not look back to their children.] Though never so dear to them - φιλτατα the Greeks call them, and the Latins have their filius of φιλος - but shall be solicitous of their own lives only. Qui de Deo ne tantillum quidem fuerant solliciti. For feebleness of hands.] Through fear and fail of vital spirits, so as to forget natural affection also.

Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 47:3

(3) The fathers shall not look back to their children.—The selfishness of panic was to reach its highest point, and to crush out the instincts of natural affection. Even fathers would be content to save themselves, regardless of their children’s lives.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 47:3

Verse 3. The stamping of the hoofs] At the galloping sound, - Quadrupedante putrem sonitu quatit ungula campum, is a line of Virgil, (AEn. viii. 596,) much celebrated; and quoted here by Blayney, where the galloping sound of the horses' hoofs is heard. In the stamping of the horses, the rushing of the chariots, and the rumbling of the wheels, our translators intended to convey the sense by the sound of the words; and they have not been unsuccessful. Their translation of the original is at the same time sufficiently literal. The fathers shall not look back] Though their children are left behind, they have neither strength nor courage to go back to bring them off.

Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 47:3

3. At the noise … wheels] Gi. omits all three clauses, Co. the middle one; both objecting on metrical grounds. strong ones] See on Jeremiah 8:16.

Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 47:3

His strong horses - War-horses, chargers. The rushing of his chariots - Rather, the rattling, the crashing noise which they make as they advance.

Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 47:3

3. Strong horses — War horses. The fathers shall not look back — Nothing could more impressively set forth the appalling danger and terror.

Sermons on Jeremiah 47:3

SermonDescription
Harriet N. Cook The Horse by Harriet N. Cook Harriet N. Cook reflects on the powerful imagery of war-horses in the Bible, from Job's description of the majestic and fearless horse to the account of the horse-hoofs breaking in

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