Jeremiah 48:2-12

2 "There is praise for Moab no longer; In 1Heshbon they have devised calamity against her: 'Come and let us cut her off from being a nation!' You too, Madmen, will be silenced; The sword will follow * after you.
3 "The sound of an outcry from 2Horonaim, 'Devastation and great destruction!'
4 "Moab is broken, Her little ones have sounded out a cry of distress.
5 "For by the ascent of 3Luhith They will ascend with continual weeping; For at the descent of Horonaim They have heard the anguished cry of destruction.
6 "4Flee, save your lives, That you may be like a juniper in the wilderness.
7 "For because of your 5trust in your own achievements and treasures, Even you yourself will be captured; And 6Chemosh will go off into exile Together with his priests and his princes.
8 "A destroyer will come to every city, So that no city will escape; The valley also will be ruined And the 7plateau will be destroyed, As the LORD has said.
9 "Give 8wings to Moab, For she will flee away; And her cities will become a 9desolation, Without inhabitants in them.
10 "10Cursed be the one who does the LORD'S work 11negligently, And cursed be the one who restrains his 12sword from blood.
11 "Moab has been 13at ease since his youth; He has also been 14undisturbed, like wine on its dregs, And he has not been 15emptied from vessel to vessel, Nor has he gone into exile. Therefore * he retains his flavor, And his aroma has not changed.
12 "Therefore behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will send to him those who tip vessels, and they will tip him over, and they will empty his vessels and shatter his jars.

Jeremiah 48:2-12 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 15

  • 1. Numbers 21:25; Jeremiah 48:34, 45; Jeremiah 49:3
  • 2. Isaiah 15:5; Jeremiah 48:5, 34
  • 3. Isaiah 15:5
  • 4. Jeremiah 51:6
  • 5. Psalms 52:7; Isaiah 59:4; Jeremiah 9:23
  • 6. Numbers 21:29; 1 Kings 11:33; Jeremiah 48:13, 46
  • 7. Josh 13:9, 17, 21
  • 8. Psalms 11:1; Isaiah 16:2; Jeremiah 48:28
  • 9. Jeremiah 44:22
  • 10. Jeremiah 11:3
  • 11. 1 Kin 20:39, 40, 42; 2 Kings 13:19
  • 12. Jeremiah 47:6, 7
  • 13. Jeremiah 22:21; Ezekiel 16:49; Zechariah 1:15
  • 14. Zephaniah 1:12
  • 15. Nahum 2:2

Footnotes 7

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