Jeremiah 48:9-19

9 "Give wings to Moab, for she would fly away; her cities shall become a desolation, with no inhabitant in them.
10 1"Cursed is he who does 2the work of the LORD with slackness, and cursed is he who keeps back his sword from bloodshed.
11 "Moab has been at ease from his youth and has 3settled on his dregs; he has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, nor has he gone into exile; so his taste remains in him, and his scent is not changed.
12 "Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I shall send to him pourers who will pour him, and empty his vessels and break his[a] jars in pieces.
13 Then 4Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as 5the house of Israel was ashamed of 6Bethel, their confidence.
14 "How do you say, 'We are heroes and mighty men of war'?
15 The destroyer of 7Moab and his cities has come up, and the choicest of his young men have 8gone down to slaughter, declares 9the King, 10whose name is the LORD of hosts.
16 The calamity of Moab is near at hand, and his affliction hastens swiftly.
17 11Grieve for him, all you who are around him, and all who know his name; say, 12'How the mighty scepter is broken, the glorious staff.'
18 13"Come down from your glory, and sit on the parched ground, O inhabitant of 14Dibon! For the destroyer of Moab has come up against you; he has destroyed your strongholds.
19 15Stand by the way 16and watch, O inhabitant of 17Aroer! Ask him who flees and her who escapes; say, 'What has happened?'

Jeremiah 48:9-19 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 17

  • 1. Judges 5:23; [1 Samuel 15:3, 9; 1 Kings 20:42]
  • 2. [1 Corinthians 15:58]
  • 3. Zephaniah 1:12
  • 4. [Numbers 21:29; Isaiah 16:14]
  • 5. [Hosea 10:6]
  • 6. [1 Kings 12:29]
  • 7. ver. 8, 18, 20; Isaiah 15:1
  • 8. Jeremiah 50:27
  • 9. See Jeremiah 46:18
  • 10. See Jeremiah 46:18
  • 11. [Isaiah 15:4, 5; Isaiah 16:7]
  • 12. [Isaiah 9:4; Isaiah 14:5]
  • 13. [Isaiah 47:1]
  • 14. Numbers 21:30; Isaiah 15:2
  • 15. [1 Samuel 4:13, 16; Nahum 2:1]
  • 16. [1 Samuel 4:13, 16; Nahum 2:1]
  • 17. Deuteronomy 2:36; Joshua 13:9

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Septuagint, Aquila; Hebrew their
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.