Jeremiah 48:34

34 "From the cry of Heshbon to Elealeh and to Jahaz They have uttered their voice, From Zoar to Horonaim, Like a three-year-old heifer; For the waters of Nimrim also shall be desolate.

Jeremiah 48:34 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 48:34

From the cry of Heshbon [even] unto Elealeh
Two cities in the land of Moab; of which see ( Isaiah 15:4 ) ( 16:9 ) . Heshbon being destroyed, a cry was made by the inhabitants of it, which either reached from thence to Elealeh; or the destruction being carried on to that city, the cry was continued there: [and even] unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice;
another city of Moab; see ( Isaiah 15:4 ) ; which also was laid waste, and where the Moabites uttered their voice of lamentation on account of it: from Zoar [even] unto Horonaim, [as] an heifer of three years old:
that is, as the destruction should go on to Zoar, and so to Horonaim; of which places see ( Isaiah 15:5 ) ; so the cry of the distressed, and of those that flee, should also go from place to place; and be as loud, and as strong, and heard as far, as the lowing of a heifer of three years old. Naturalists F12 observe, that the voice in all female creatures is smaller and shriller, excepting the ox; for the voices of the females of that creature is stronger than in the males; and also that the taming of these creatures is when they are three years old, that is the proper time; before it is too soon, and afterwards too late F13; and then it is their voice is fuller, and their strength firmer, to which the allusion here is; (See Gill on Isaiah 15:5); for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate;
being disturbed by the Chaldean army, their horses treading them with their feet, and so fouling them; or being mixed with the blood of the slain, and so unfit to drink. A sad case this, to have neither wine nor water; (See Gill on Isaiah 15:6); to which may be added, that Jerom also makes mention of a village in his time called Benamerium, to the north of Zoar; and seems rather the place intended.


FOOTNOTES:

F12 Aristotel. Hist. Animal. l. 4. c. 11. Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 11. c. 51.
F13 Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 8. c. 45.

Jeremiah 48:34 In-Context

32 O vine of Sibmah! I will weep for you with the weeping of Jazer. Your plants have gone over the sea, They reach to the sea of Jazer. The plunderer has fallen on your summer fruit and your vintage.
33 Joy and gladness are taken From the plentiful field And from the land of Moab; I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses; No one will tread with joyous shouting-- Not joyous shouting!
34 "From the cry of Heshbon to Elealeh and to Jahaz They have uttered their voice, From Zoar to Horonaim, Like a three-year-old heifer; For the waters of Nimrim also shall be desolate.
35 "Moreover," says the Lord, "I will cause to cease in Moab The one who offers sacrifices in the high places And burns incense to his gods.
36 Therefore My heart shall wail like flutes for Moab, And like flutes My heart shall wail For the men of Kir Heres. Therefore the riches they have acquired have perished.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or The Third Eglath, an unknown city (compare Isaiah 15:5)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.