Jeremiah 48:39-47

39 How it is broken! How they wail! ¹How Moab has turned his back in shame! So Moab ²has become a derision and a horror to all that are around him. ”

40 For thus says the Lord: “Behold, ³one shall fly swiftly like an eagle ⁴and spread his wings against Moab;

41 ⁵the cities shall be taken and the strongholds seized. ⁶The heart of the warriors of Moab shall be in that day like the heart of ⁷a woman in her birth pains;

42 Moab shall be ⁸destroyed and be no longer a people, because ⁹he magnified himself against the Lord.

43 ¹⁰Terror, pit, and snare are before you, O inhabitant of Moab! declares the Lord.

44 He who flees from the terror shall fall into the pit, and he who climbs out of the pit shall be caught in the snare. ¹¹For I will bring these things upon Moab, the year of their punishment, declares the Lord.

45 “In the shadow of Heshbon fugitives stop without strength, for fire came out from Heshbon, flame from the house of Sihon; it has destroyed ¹²the forehead of Moab, the crown of ¹³the sons of tumult.

46 ¹⁴Woe to you, O Moab! The people of ¹⁵Chemosh are undone, for your sons have been taken captive, and your daughters into captivity.

47 ¹⁶Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in the latter days, declares the Lord. ”Thus far is the judgment on Moab.

Jeremiah 48:39-47 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.

Cross References

• 1. 48:39 [ver. 6]
• 2. 48:39 ver. 26
• 3. 48:40 ch. 49:22; [Deut. 28:49; Ezek. 17:3]
• 4. 48:40 [Isa. 8:8]
• 5. 48:41 ver. 24
• 6. 48:41 [Isa. 13:7, 8]
• 7. 48:41 See ch. 6:24
• 8. 48:42 [Isa. 7:8]
• 9. 48:42 ver. 26
• 10. 48:43 Isa. 24:17, 18; Lam. 3:47
• 11. 48:44 [ch. 11:23]
• 12. 48:45 Num. 24:17
• 13. 48:45 Num. 24:17
• 14. 48:46 See ver. 1
• 15. 48:46 ver. 13
• 16. 48:47 [ch. 46:27; 49:39]