Jeremiah 48:39

39 quomodo victa est et ululaverunt quomodo deiecit cervicem Moab et confusus est eritque Moab in derisum et in exemplum omnibus in circuitu suo

Jeremiah 48:39 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 48:39

They shall howl, [saying], how is it broken down?
&c.] Or, "how is it broken" or "thrown into consternation ^F16? they howl"; that is, they howl out these words, or, while they are howling, say, how is Kirheres or Moab broken all to pieces; their strength, power, and glory; their cities, and their mighty men; and are in the utmost fright and confusion? Jarchi takes it to be an imperative, and paraphrases it,

``howl ye over her ^F17, and say, how is it broken!''

Kimchi says it may be taken either as in the past or in the imperative; how hath Moab turned the back with shame?
not being able to look their enemies in the face, but obliged to flee before them; so shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him;
a derision to some, to their enemies, as Israel had been to them, and so they are paid in their own coin; and a consternation to others, their friends, who would fear sharing the same fate, at the hands of the Chaldeans.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 (htx Kya) "quomodo consternata est", Piscator, Schmidt.
F17 (wlylyh) "ululate", Munster, Piscator; "ejulate", Junius & Tremellius.

Jeremiah 48:39 In-Context

37 omne enim caput calvitium et omnis barba rasa erit in cunctis manibus conligatio et super omne dorsum cilicium

38 super omnia tecta Moab et in plateis eius omnis planctus quia contrivi Moab sicut vas inutile ait Dominus

39 quomodo victa est et ululaverunt quomodo deiecit cervicem Moab et confusus est eritque Moab in derisum et in exemplum omnibus in circuitu suo

40 haec dicit Dominus ecce quasi aquila evolabit et extendet alas suas ad Moab

41 capta est Carioth et munitiones conprehensae sunt et erit cor fortium Moab in die illa sicut cor mulieris parturientis