Jeremiah 48:36-46

36 "Therefore * My 1heart wails for Moab like flutes; My heart also wails like flutes for the men of Kir-heres. Therefore * they have 2lost the abundance it produced.
37 "For 3every head is bald and every beard cut short; there are gashes on all the hands and 4sackcloth on the loins.
38 "On all the 5housetops of Moab and in its streets there is lamentation everywhere; for I have broken Moab like an undesirable * 6vessel," declares the LORD.
39 "How shattered it is! How they have wailed! How Moab has turned his back -he is ashamed! So Moab will become a laughingstock and an 7object of terror to all around him."
40 For thus says the LORD: "Behold, one will 8fly swiftly like an eagle And 9spread out his wings against Moab.
41 "Kerioth has been captured And the strongholds have been seized, So the 10hearts of the mighty men of Moab in that day Will be like the heart of a 11woman in labor.
42 "Moab will be 12destroyed from being a people Because he has become 13arrogant toward the LORD.
43 "14Terror, pit and snare are coming upon you, O inhabitant of Moab," declares the LORD.
44 "The one who 15flees from the terror Will fall into the pit, And the one who climbs up out of the pit Will be caught in the snare; For I shall bring upon her, even upon Moab, The year of their 16punishment," declares the LORD.
45 "In the shadow of Heshbon The fugitives stand without strength; For a fire has gone forth from Heshbon And a 17flame from the midst of 18Sihon, And it has devoured the 19forehead of Moab And the scalps of the riotous revelers *.
46 "20Woe to you, Moab! The people of 21Chemosh have perished; For your sons have been taken away captive And your daughters into captivity.

Jeremiah 48:36-46 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 21

  • 1. Isaiah 15:5; Isaiah 16:11
  • 2. Isaiah 15:7
  • 3. Isaiah 15:2; Jeremiah 16:6; Jeremiah 41:5; Jeremiah 47:5
  • 4. Genesis 37:34; Isaiah 15:3; Isaiah 20:2
  • 5. Isaiah 22:1
  • 6. Jeremiah 19:10, 11; Jeremiah 22:28; Jeremiah 25:34
  • 7. Ezekiel 26:16
  • 8. Deuteronomy 28:49; Jeremiah 49:22; Hosea 8:1; Habakkuk 1:8
  • 9. Isaiah 8:8
  • 10. Jeremiah 49:22
  • 11. Isaiah 13:8; Isaiah 21:3; Jeremiah 30:6; Micah 4:9, 10
  • 12. Psalms 83:4; Jeremiah 48:2
  • 13. Isaiah 37:23; Jeremiah 48:26
  • 14. Isaiah 24:17, 18; Lamentations 3:47
  • 15. 1 Kings 19:17; Isaiah 24:18; Amos 5:19
  • 16. Jeremiah 46:21
  • 17. Numbers 21:28, 29
  • 18. Numbers 21:21, 26; Psalms 135:11
  • 19. Numbers 24:17
  • 20. Numbers 21:29
  • 21. Judges 11:24; 1 Kings 11:7; Jeremiah 48:7

Footnotes 6

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