Jeremiah 47:4

“Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, etc.] The time appointed by the Lord for their destruction, which should be universal: [and] to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth; these were cities in Phoenicia, which bordered on the country of the Philistines, who were their auxiliaries in time of distress; but now, being wasted themselves, could give them no help when Nebuchadnezzar attacked them; as he did Tyre particularly, which he besieged thirteen years, and at last destroyed it, and Zidon with it: for the Lord will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor; these last are not put by way of apposition, as if they were the same with…”

“every helper--The Philistines, being neighbors to the PhÅ“nicians of Tyre and Sidon, would naturally make common cause with them in the case of invasion. These cities would have no helper left when the Philistines should be destroyed. Caphtor--the Caphtorim and Philistines both came from Mizraim (Gen 10:13-14). The Philistines are said to have been delivered by God from Caphtor (Amo 9:7). Perhaps before the time of Moses they dwelt near and were subjugated by the Caphtorim (Deu 2:23) and subsequently delivered. "The remnant" means here those still left after the Egyptians had attacked Gaza and Palestine; or rather, those left of the Caphtorim after the Chaldeans had attacked them previous to…”

“Because of the day that cometh to spoil - “Because” the day has come “to devastate.” The Philistines are called Tyre’s remaining (i. e., last) helper, because all besides who could have assisted her have already succumbed to the Chaldaean power. The judgment upon Philistia was in connection with that upon Tyre, and it was fulfilled by expeditions sent out by Nebuchadnezzar under him lieutenants to ravage the country and supply his main army with provisions. The country of Caphtor - The coastland of Caphtor. The Philistines came from the coast of the Egyptian Delta, and are called “a remnant” because they had been greatly reduced in numbers, partly by the long war of Psammetichus against…”

“The day - Which God hath set, and appointed for their ruin. Caphtor - Tyre and Sidon were neighbours to the Philistines, and so were often called to their help. The Philistines and Caphtorim were related, for their first progenitors, Philistim and Caphtorim, were both the sons of Mizriam the son of Ham, one of the sons of Noah. Jeremiah 47:5”

“47:4 The time has come . . . the Lord is destroying: The Lord controlled what would happen, as well as when events would occur. • The Philistines had come into the southeastern coastal areas from the island of Crete between 1200 and 1100 BC. The northern cities, Tyre and Sidon, were colonized at about the same time by distant cousins of the Philistines who mixed with the native Canaanites.”

“the day: Jer 46:10; Psa 37:13; Isa 10:3; Eze 7:5-7, Eze 7:12, Eze 21:25, Eze 21:29; Hos 9:7; Luk 21:22 Tyrus: Jer 25:20-22; Isa. 23:1-18; Ezek. 26:1-28:26; Joe 3:4-8; Amo 1:9, Amo 1:10; Zac 9:2-5 every: Job 9:13; Isa 20:6, Isa 31:8; Eze 30:8 the remnant: Eze 25:16; Amo 1:8, Amo 9:7 country: Heb. isle, Jos 22:30; Isa 20:6 Caphtor: Gen 10:13, Gen 10:14, Caphtorim, Deu 2:23; Ch1 1:12, Caphthorim, Amo 9:7 Jeremiah 47:5”