Jeremiah 48:40

40 For thus says the LORD: Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread out his wings against Mo'av.

Jeremiah 48:40 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 48:40

For thus saith the Lord, behold, he shall fly as an eagle,
&c.] The enemy, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, with his army; who is compared to an eagle for his strength, swiftness, and greediness after the prey: and shall spread his wings over Moab;
as an eagle spreads its wings, which are very large, over the little birds it seizes upon as its prey; so the king of Babylon would bring a numerous army against Moab, and spread it over his country. The Targum is,

``behold, as all eagle which flies, so a king shall come up with his army, and encamp against Moab.''

Jeremiah 48:40 In-Context

38 On all the housetops of Mo'av and in the streets of it there is lamentation every where; for I have broken Mo'av like a vessel in which none delights, says the LORD.

39 How is it broken down! [how] do they wail! how has Mo'av turned the back with shame! so shall Mo'av become a derision and a terror to all who are round about him.

40 For thus says the LORD: Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread out his wings against Mo'av.

41 Keriyot is taken, and the strongholds are seized, and the heart of the mighty men of Mo'av at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.

42 Mo'av shall be destroyed from being a people, because he has magnified himself against the LORD.