Jeremiah 47:2 Meaning and Explanation
“Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Divine judgment comes as an overwhelming flood from the north, bringing destruction and lamentation.
The Context of Jeremiah 47:2
The mechanism of judgment: a deluge of destruction.
What Does Jeremiah 47:2 Mean?
The flood imagery is classic in Jeremiah's prophecy—a deluge rising from the north (the direction of invasion threats to Judah and its neighbors). The water overflows the land and city, leaving nowhere to hide or escape. The comprehensive destruction ('all that is therein') emphasizes the totality of divine judgment.
The response is universal lamentation: men cry, inhabitants howl. This depicts not abstract harm but real human suffering—the emotional and physical anguish of a people caught in catastrophe. The flood represents both literal military invasion and divine power made manifest.
Jeremiah 47:2 in the Original Language
shatat (שָׁטַף), 'overflow'—to inundate or sweep away, emphasizing the irresistible force of the judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 47:2
What does Jeremiah 47:2 mean?
Divine judgment comes as an overwhelming flood from the north, bringing destruction and lamentation.
What is the context of Jeremiah 47:2?
The mechanism of judgment: a deluge of destruction.