Jeremiah 48:21-31

21 "Judgment has also come upon the plain, upon Holon, 1Jahzah and against 2Mephaath,
22 against Dibon, Nebo and Beth-diblathaim,
23 against Kiriathaim, Beth-gamul and 3Beth-meon,
24 against 4Kerioth, Bozrah and all the cities of the land of Moab, far and near.
25 "The 5horn of Moab has been cut off and his 6arm broken," declares the LORD.
26 "7Make him drunk, for he has become 8arrogant toward the LORD; so Moab will wallow in his vomit, and he also will become a laughingstock.
27 "Now was not Israel a 9laughingstock to you? Or was he 10caught among thieves? For each time you speak about him you 11shake your head in scorn.
28 "Leave the cities and dwell among the 12crags, O inhabitants of Moab, And be like a 13dove that nests Beyond the mouth of the chasm.
29 "14We have heard of the pride of Moab -he is very proud - Of his haughtiness, his 15pride, his arrogance and his self-exaltation *.
30 "I know his 16fury," declares the LORD, "But it is futile; His idle boasts have accomplished nothing.
31 "Therefore * I will 17wail for Moab, Even for all Moab will I cry out; I will moan for the men of 18Kir-heres.

Jeremiah 48:21-31 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 18

  • 1. Numbers 21:23; Isaiah 15:4; Jeremiah 48:34
  • 2. Joshua 13:18
  • 3. Joshua 13:17
  • 4. Jeremiah 48:41; Amos 2:2
  • 5. Psalms 75:10; Zechariah 1:19-21
  • 6. Job 22:9; Psalms 10:15
  • 7. Jeremiah 25:15
  • 8. Exodus 5:2; Jeremiah 48:42; Daniel 5:23
  • 9. Lamentations 2:15-17; Micah 7:8-10
  • 10. Jeremiah 2:26
  • 11. Job 16:4; Jeremiah 18:16
  • 12. Judges 6:2; Isaiah 2:19; Jeremiah 49:16; Obadiah 3
  • 13. Psalms 55:6; Song of Songs 2:14
  • 14. Isaiah 16:6; Zephaniah 2:8
  • 15. Job 40:11, 12; Psalms 138:6
  • 16. Isaiah 37:28
  • 17. Isaiah 15:5; Isaiah 16:7, 11
  • 18. 2 Kings 3:25; Isaiah 16:7, 11; Jeremiah 48:36

Footnotes 5

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