Jeremiah 48:33-43

33 Joy and gladness are gone from the orchards and fields of Moab. I have stopped the flow of wine from the presses; no one treads them with shouts of joy. Although there are shouts, they are not shouts of joy.
34 “The sound of their cry rises from Heshbon to Elealeh and Jahaz, from Zoar as far as Horonaim and Eglath Shelishiyah, for even the waters of Nimrim are dried up.
35 In Moab I will put an end to those who make offerings on the high places and burn incense to their gods,” declares the LORD.
36 “So my heart laments for Moab like the music of a pipe; it laments like a pipe for the people of Kir Hareseth. The wealth they acquired is gone.
37 Every head is shaved and every beard cut off; every hand is slashed and every waist is covered with sackcloth.
38 On all the roofs in Moab and in the public squares there is nothing but mourning, for I have broken Moab like a jar that no one wants,” declares the LORD.
39 “How shattered she is! How they wail! How Moab turns her back in shame! Moab has become an object of ridicule, an object of horror to all those around her.”
40 This is what the LORD says: “Look! An eagle is swooping down, spreading its wings over Moab.
41 Kerioth[a] will be captured and the strongholds taken. In that day the hearts of Moab’s warriors will be like the heart of a woman in labor.
42 Moab will be destroyed as a nation because she defied the LORD.
43 Terror and pit and snare await you, you people of Moab,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 48:33-43 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 30

  • 1. S Isaiah 24:7; Isaiah 16:10
  • 2. Joel 1:12; Amos 5:17
  • 3. S Numbers 21:25; S Joshua 13:26
  • 4. S Numbers 32:3
  • 5. S Numbers 21:23; S Isaiah 15:4
  • 6. S Genesis 13:10
  • 7. S Isaiah 15:5
  • 8. S Isaiah 15:6
  • 9. S Isaiah 15:2; Isaiah 16:12
  • 10. Jeremiah 11:13
  • 11. S ver 31; Isaiah 16:11
  • 12. S 2 Kings 3:25
  • 13. S Isaiah 15:7
  • 14. Isaiah 15:2; S Jeremiah 41:5; Ezekiel 27:31; Ezekiel 29:18
  • 15. S Leviticus 19:27; S 2 Samuel 10:4
  • 16. S Genesis 37:34; S Isaiah 3:24; Jeremiah 16:6; Amos 8:10
  • 17. S Isaiah 15:3
  • 18. S Jeremiah 22:28
  • 19. Jeremiah 50:23
  • 20. ver 26
  • 21. S Deuteronomy 28:49; Habakkuk 1:8
  • 22. S Isaiah 8:8
  • 23. S Isaiah 15:1
  • 24. Amos 2:16
  • 25. S Isaiah 21:3
  • 26. Psalms 83:4; S Isaiah 16:14
  • 27. ver 2
  • 28. S ver 26
  • 29. Jeremiah 49:5
  • 30. S Isaiah 24:17

Footnotes 1

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