Jeremiah 48:17

17 Mourn for him, all you surrounding [nations], everyone who knows his name. Say: How the mighty scepter^[a] is shattered, the glorious staff!

Jeremiah 48:17 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 48:17

All ye that are about him, bemoan him
The neighbouring nations, such as the Ammonites, and others, are called upon to condole the sad case of Moab; all upon the borders of the country of Moab, either within them or without them: and all ye that know his name;
not only that had heard of his fame and glory, but knew in what grandeur and splendour he lived; these have a form of condolence given them: say, how is the strong staff broken, [and] the beautiful rod!
the mighty men of war, the staff of the nation, in which they trusted, destroyed; their fortified cities demolished; the powerful kingdom, which swayed the sceptre, and ruled in great glory, and was terrible and troublesome to others, now pulled down. The Targum is,

``how is the king broken that did evil, the oppressing ruler!''

Jeremiah 48:17 In-Context

15 The destroyer of Moab and its towns has come up, and the best of its young men have gone down to slaughter. [This is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the King's declaration; the Lord of Hosts is His name.

16 Moab's calamity is near at hand; his disaster is rushing swiftly.

17 Mourn for him, all you surrounding [nations], everyone who knows his name. Say: How the mighty scepter is shattered, the glorious staff!

18 Come down from glory; sit on parched ground, resident of the daughter of Dibon, for the destroyer of Moab has come against you; he has destroyed your fortresses.

19 Stand by the highway and look, resident of Aroer! Ask him who is fleeing or her who is escaping, What happened?

Footnotes

• [a] Ps 110:2; Ezk 19:11-12,14