Jeremiah 48:32-42

32 I will weep for you, vine of Sibmah, with more than the weeping for Jazer. Your tendrils have extended to the sea; they have reached to the sea [and to] Jazer.^[a] The destroyer has fallen on your summer fruit and grape harvest.

33 Joy and celebration are taken from the fertile field and from the land of Moab. I have stopped the flow of wine from the winepresses; no one will tread with shouts of joy. The shouting is not a shout of joy.^[b]

34 "There is a cry from Heshbon to Elealeh; they raise their voices as far as Jahaz-from Zoar to Horonaim [and] Eglath-shelishiyah-because even the waters of Nimrim have become desolate.

35 In Moab, I will stop"-[this is] the Lord's declaration-"the one who offers sacrifices on the high place and burns incense to his gods.^[c]

36 Therefore, My heart moans like flutes for Moab, and My heart moans like flutes for the people of Kir-heres. And therefore, the wealth he has gained has perished.^[d]

37 Indeed, every head is bald and every beard clipped; on every hand is a gash and sackcloth around the waist.

38 On all the rooftops of Moab and in her public squares, everyone is mourning because I have shattered Moab like a jar no one wants."^[e] [This is] the Lord's declaration.

39 "How broken it is! They wail! How Moab has turned his back! He is ashamed. Moab will become a laughingstock and a shock to all those around him."^[f]

40 For this is what the Lord says: He will swoop down like an eagle and spread his wings against Moab.^[g]

41 The towns have^[h] been captured, and the strongholds seized. In that day the heart of Moab's warriors will be like the heart of a woman with contractions.

42 Moab will be destroyed as a people because he has exalted himself against the Lord.^[i]

Jeremiah 48:32-42 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.

Footnotes

• [a] Some Hb mss read reached as far as Jazer; Isa 16:8
• [b] Isa 16:7-10
• [c] Jr 11:12-13; 18:15
• [d] Isa 15:4-7
• [e] Jr 22:28
• [f] Isa 15:4-7; 16:6-11; Zph 2:9-10
• [g] Jr 49:22; Dt 28:49
• [h] Or Kerioth has
• [i] Jr 48:26