Jeremiah 48:32-42

32 More than for 1Jazer I weep for you, 2O vine of 3Sibmah! 4Your branches passed over the sea, reached to the Sea of 5Jazer; on your summer fruits and your grapes the destroyer has fallen.
33 6Gladness and joy have been taken away from the fruitful land of Moab; I have made the wine cease from the winepresses; no one treads them with shouts of joy; the shouting is not the shout of joy.
34 7"From the outcry at Heshbon even to Elealeh, as far as Jahaz they utter their voice, from Zoar to 8Horonaim and Eglath-shelishiyah. For the waters of Nimrim also have become desolate.
35 And I will bring to an end in Moab, declares the LORD, him who offers sacrifice in 9the high place and makes offerings to his god.
36 Therefore my heart moans for Moab like a flute, and my heart moans like a flute for the men of 10Kir-hareseth. 11Therefore the riches they gained have perished.
37 12"For every head is shaved and every beard cut off. 13On all the hands are gashes, and 14around the waist is sackcloth.
38 On all the housetops of Moab and in the squares there is nothing but lamentation, for I have broken Moab like 15a vessel for which no one cares, declares the LORD.
39 How it is broken! How they wail! 16How Moab has turned his back in shame! So Moab 17has become a derision and a horror to all that are around him."
40 For thus says the LORD: "Behold, 18one shall fly swiftly like an eagle 19and spread his wings against Moab;
41 20the cities shall be taken and the strongholds seized. 21The heart of the warriors of Moab shall be in that day like the heart of 22a woman in her birth pains;
42 Moab shall be 23destroyed and be no longer a people, because 24he magnified himself against the LORD.

Jeremiah 48:32-42 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 48

This chapter contains a prophecy of the destruction of Moab, and of the mourning that should be for it; and not only its destruction in general is predicted, but particular places are mentioned, on which it should fall, Jer 48:1-5; the causes of which were their confidence in their works and riches, their carnal ease and security, and their idolatry, they should now be ashamed of, Jer 48:6-13; and this destruction is represented both as certain and as near, notwithstanding their mighty warriors and choice young men, Jer 48:14-17; and then other cities are particularly named, that should share in the calamity, Jer 48:18-25; and all this because of their insolence to the Lord; their contempt of his people; their pride, arrogance, and haughtiness; their wrath, and their lies, Jer 48:26-30; and this destruction is further exaggerated by the lamentation of the prophet over Moab in general, and over several particular cities; and by the lamentation of the inhabitants of them, because of the spoiling of their vines, their fruits, and their riches, Jer 48:31-39; and this is confirmed by the Lord, as to the swiftness of the enemy that should destroy them; the consternation and fear that should seize them; the flight they should be put to; and the consumption and captivity of them, Jer 48:40-46; and the chapter is concluded with a promise of the return of their captivity in the latter day, Jer 48:47.

Cross References 24

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.