Jeremiah 47:3

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 47:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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;
Jeremiah 47:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 47

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3At 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;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong [horses], etc.] The noise of the cavalry of Nebuchadnezzar’s army, as they came marching on towards the country of the Philistines; who, being mounted on strong prancing horses, made a great noise as they came along, and were heard at a distance: at the rushing of his chariots, [and at] the rumbling, of his wheels; the rattling and clatter the chariot wheels made; in which rode the chief officers and generals, with other mighty men: chariots were much used in war in those times: the fathers shall not look back to [their] children for feebleness of hands; they should be so frightened at the approach of the enemy, and flee with much…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Compare Jer 4:29). fathers . . . not look back to . . . children--Each shall think only of his own safety, not even the fathers regarding their own children. So desperate shall be the calamity that men shall divest themselves of the natural affections. for feebleness of hands--The hands, the principal instruments of action, shall have lost all power; their whole hope shall be in their feet.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“His strong horses - War-horses, chargers. The rushing of his chariots - Rather, the rattling, the crashing noise which they make as they advance. For feebleness of hands - The Philistines flee in such panic that a father would not even turn round to see whether his sons were effecting their escape or not. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the noise: Jer 8:16, Jer 46:9; Jdg 5:22; Job 39:19-25; Eze 26:10, Eze 26:11; Nah 2:4, Nah 3:2, Nah 3:3 the fathers: Deu 28:54, Deu 28:55; Lam 4:3, Lam 4:4 Jeremiah 47:4”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification