Jeremiah 48:39-47

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 1object of terror to all around him."
40 For thus says the LORD: "Behold, one will 2fly swiftly like an eagle And 3spread out his wings against Moab.
41 "Kerioth has been captured And the strongholds have been seized, So the 4hearts of the mighty men of Moab in that day Will be like the heart of a 5woman in labor.
42 "Moab will be 6destroyed from being a people Because he has become 7arrogant toward the LORD.
43 "8Terror, pit and snare are coming upon you, O inhabitant of Moab," declares the LORD.
44 "The one who 9flees 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 10punishment," declares the LORD.
45 "In the shadow of Heshbon The fugitives stand without strength; For a fire has gone forth from Heshbon And a 11flame from the midst of 12Sihon, And it has devoured the 13forehead of Moab And the scalps of the riotous revelers *.
46 "14Woe to you, Moab! The people of 15Chemosh have perished; For your sons have been taken away captive And your daughters into captivity.
47 "Yet I will 16restore the fortunes of Moab In the latter days," declares the LORD. Thus far the judgment on Moab.

Jeremiah 48:39-47 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 16

  • 1. Ezekiel 26:16
  • 2. Deuteronomy 28:49; Jeremiah 49:22; Hosea 8:1; Habakkuk 1:8
  • 3. Isaiah 8:8
  • 4. Jeremiah 49:22
  • 5. Isaiah 13:8; Isaiah 21:3; Jeremiah 30:6; Micah 4:9, 10
  • 6. Psalms 83:4; Jeremiah 48:2
  • 7. Isaiah 37:23; Jeremiah 48:26
  • 8. Isaiah 24:17, 18; Lamentations 3:47
  • 9. 1 Kings 19:17; Isaiah 24:18; Amos 5:19
  • 10. Jeremiah 46:21
  • 11. Numbers 21:28, 29
  • 12. Numbers 21:21, 26; Psalms 135:11
  • 13. Numbers 24:17
  • 14. Numbers 21:29
  • 15. Judges 11:24; 1 Kings 11:7; Jeremiah 48:7
  • 16. Jeremiah 12:14-17; Jeremiah 49:6, 39

Footnotes 5

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