For I have sworn by myself, saith the Lord
This he did, because he could swear by no greater, and to show the certain and infallible accomplishment of the event, and the importance of it; and which was so extraordinary, that it was scarce thought credible, and therefore an oath is used to confirm it: that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a
curse;
not Rome, as Abarbinel; nor Jerusalem, as Cocceius; nor Bozrah of Moab, ( Jeremiah 48:24 ) ; but Bozrah of Idumea, ( Isaiah 63:1 ) ; the royal city of Edom, as Kimchi; this should be utterly destroyed, and be spoken of contemptibly, and used proverbially, to express a curse; the Lord curse thee as Bozrah is cursed. It may be put for the whole country of Edom, of which it was the metropolis, since it follows, and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes;
either those in the neighbourhood of it, and belonging to it, it being the capital or mother city; or all the cities in the land of Edom; so general should be the desolation.