Jeremiah 48:17

17 All you who are round about him, bemoan him, and all you who know his name; say, How is the strong staff broken, the beautiful rod!

Jeremiah 48:17 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 48:17

All ye that are about him, bemoan him
The neighbouring nations, such as the Ammonites, and others, are called upon to condole the sad case of Moab; all upon the borders of the country of Moab, either within them or without them: and all ye that know his name;
not only that had heard of his fame and glory, but knew in what grandeur and splendour he lived; these have a form of condolence given them: say, how is the strong staff broken, [and] the beautiful rod!
the mighty men of war, the staff of the nation, in which they trusted, destroyed; their fortified cities demolished; the powerful kingdom, which swayed the sceptre, and ruled in great glory, and was terrible and troublesome to others, now pulled down. The Targum is,

``how is the king broken that did evil, the oppressing ruler!''

Jeremiah 48:17 In-Context

15 Mo'av is laid waste, and they are gone up into his cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, says the King, whose name is the LORD of Hosts.
16 The calamity of Mo'av is near to come, and his affliction hurries fast.
17 All you who are round about him, bemoan him, and all you who know his name; say, How is the strong staff broken, the beautiful rod!
18 You daughter who dwells in Divon, come down from your glory, and sit in thirst; for the destroyer of Mo'av is come up against you, he has destroyed your strongholds.
19 Inhabitant of `Aro`er, stand by the way, and watch: ask him who flees, and her who escapes; say, What has been done?
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.