Chapter 47

Now we turn to Philistia, "before Pharoah struck down Gaza."  Note that Pharoah is not named, so we don't really know which one.  And besides, we are talking about the time BEFORE Pharoah conquered Gaza.  Can't tell if the prophecy is before Pharoah or if the state of Philistia before Pharoah invaded is intended.  It seems then the prophesy that the invader is coming from the north.  Most definitely says Philistia is being destroyed by the Lord, contrasted to Egypt returning to former state.

2020-So this is about Philistia being conquered from the north, BEFORE Egypt conquers it from the south.  I think.  And this was written in Jeremiah’s time.  So when Jeremiah wrote it down, it had not happened yet, but Jeremiah was over 30 and a prophet when it happened.  And it was before (probably) Neco II came north and got defeated by Neb.  So an army from the north conquered Gaza before Neco II.  Perhaps Neb on an early raid?  Almost has to be pushed back to Josiah’s time.  Jeremiah did prophesy during that time…But MSB says this was likely a conquest of Philistia by Babylon at the same time as their invasion to conquer Jerusalem in 587/86 BC.  But did Egypt come north again after that?  Guess they could have, and that may have been what provoked Neb to go all the way to Egypt to defeat them.