Jeremiah 48:34

34 "The cry will be heard from Heshbon to Elealeh and Jahaz. It will be heard from Zoar to Horonaim and Eglath Shelishiyah. Even the streams of Nimrim will dry up.

Jeremiah 48:34 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 48:34

From the cry of Heshbon [even] unto Elealeh
Two cities in the land of Moab; of which see ( Isaiah 15:4 ) ( 16:9 ) . Heshbon being destroyed, a cry was made by the inhabitants of it, which either reached from thence to Elealeh; or the destruction being carried on to that city, the cry was continued there: [and even] unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice;
another city of Moab; see ( Isaiah 15:4 ) ; which also was laid waste, and where the Moabites uttered their voice of lamentation on account of it: from Zoar [even] unto Horonaim, [as] an heifer of three years old:
that is, as the destruction should go on to Zoar, and so to Horonaim; of which places see ( Isaiah 15:5 ) ; so the cry of the distressed, and of those that flee, should also go from place to place; and be as loud, and as strong, and heard as far, as the lowing of a heifer of three years old. Naturalists F12 observe, that the voice in all female creatures is smaller and shriller, excepting the ox; for the voices of the females of that creature is stronger than in the males; and also that the taming of these creatures is when they are three years old, that is the proper time; before it is too soon, and afterwards too late F13; and then it is their voice is fuller, and their strength firmer, to which the allusion here is; (See Gill on Isaiah 15:5); for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate;
being disturbed by the Chaldean army, their horses treading them with their feet, and so fouling them; or being mixed with the blood of the slain, and so unfit to drink. A sad case this, to have neither wine nor water; (See Gill on Isaiah 15:6); to which may be added, that Jerom also makes mention of a village in his time called Benamerium, to the north of Zoar; and seems rather the place intended.


FOOTNOTES:

F12 Aristotel. Hist. Animal. l. 4. c. 11. Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 11. c. 51.
F13 Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 8. c. 45.

Jeremiah 48:34 In-Context

32 I will cry for you as Jazer cries. I will cry for you, grapevines of Sibmah. Your branches [once] spread as far as the sea, and they reached as far as the sea of Jazer. The destroyer will destroy your ripened fruits and your grapes.
33 Joy and gladness have disappeared from the orchards and fields of Moab. I will stop the wine flowing from the winepresses. No one will stomp on grapes with shouts of joy. There will be shouts, but not shouts of joy.
34 "The cry will be heard from Heshbon to Elealeh and Jahaz. It will be heard from Zoar to Horonaim and Eglath Shelishiyah. Even the streams of Nimrim will dry up.
35 I will stop those in Moab who come to worship sites, those who bring offerings to their gods," declares the LORD.
36 "That is why I moan for Moab like a flute. I sound like a flute for the people of Kir Hareseth. The wealth they gained has disappeared.
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