Jeremiah 48:8-18

8 "A destroyer will come to every city, So that no city will escape; The valley also will be ruined And the 1plateau will be destroyed, As the LORD has said.
9 "Give 2wings to Moab, For she will flee away; And her cities will become a 3desolation, Without inhabitants in them.
10 "4Cursed be the one who does the LORD'S work 5negligently, And cursed be the one who restrains his 6sword from blood.
11 "Moab has been 7at ease since his youth; He has also been 8undisturbed, like wine on its dregs, And he has not been 9emptied 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.
13 "And Moab will be 10ashamed of 11Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of 12Bethel, their confidence.
14 "How can you say, 'We are 13mighty warriors, And men valiant for battle '?
15 "Moab has been destroyed and men have gone up to his cities; His choicest 14young men have also gone down to the slaughter," Declares the 15King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.
16 "The disaster of Moab will 16soon come, And his calamity has swiftly hastened.
17 "Mourn for him, all you who live around him, Even all of you who know his name; Say, 'How has the mighty 17scepter been broken, A staff of splendor!'
18 "18Come down from your glory And sit on the parched ground, O 19daughter dwelling in 20Dibon, For the destroyer of Moab has come up against you, He has ruined your strongholds.

Jeremiah 48:8-18 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 20

  • 1. Josh 13:9, 17, 21
  • 2. Psalms 11:1; Isaiah 16:2; Jeremiah 48:28
  • 3. Jeremiah 44:22
  • 4. Jeremiah 11:3
  • 5. 1 Kin 20:39, 40, 42; 2 Kings 13:19
  • 6. Jeremiah 47:6, 7
  • 7. Jeremiah 22:21; Ezekiel 16:49; Zechariah 1:15
  • 8. Zephaniah 1:12
  • 9. Nahum 2:2
  • 10. Isaiah 45:16; Jeremiah 48:39
  • 11. Judges 11:24
  • 12. 1 Kings 12:29; Hosea 8:5, 6
  • 13. Psalms 33:16; Isaiah 10:13-16
  • 14. Isaiah 40:30, 31; Jeremiah 50:27
  • 15. Jeremiah 46:18; Jeremiah 51:57; Malachi 1:14
  • 16. Isaiah 13:22
  • 17. Isaiah 9:4; Isaiah 14:5
  • 18. Isaiah 47:1
  • 19. Jeremiah 46:19
  • 20. Numbers 21:30; Joshua 13:9, 17; Isaiah 15:2; Jeremiah 48:22

Footnotes 10

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