47:1–7 · Philistia:This oracle describes the agony of coastal cities—from Sidon in the north to Gaza in the south—ruthlessly attacked by a strong power, the foe from the north, Babylon. The Philistines occupied a strip of territory along the southern Mediterranean coast.

48:1–47 · Moab : The Moabites, descendants of Lot (Gen. 19:37), were unfriendly to Israel at the time of the exodus (Numbers 22–24). In 601–600 BC Nebuchadnezzar sent Moabite groups to deal with Jehoiakim’s revolt (2 Kings 24:2). The language describing Moab’s woes is pithy, picturesque, and liberally sprinkled with place-names. Cities will be destroyed; anguished cries will be heard everywhere. Refugees will seek escape, while Moab’s god Chemosh stands by helplessly. Our knowledge of Moab’s history is scant. Apparently,…