Jeremiah 48:1-24

1 Against Moab thus hath the LORD of the hosts, the God of Israel said; Woe unto Nebo! for it is destroyed; it is confounded; Kiriathaim is taken; Misgab is confounded and dismayed.

2 Moab shall no longer be praised; they have devised evil against Heshbon, saying, Come, and let us cut it off from being a nation. Also thou shalt be cut down, O Madmen; the sword shall pursue thee.

3 A voice of crying shall be from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction.

4 Moab is destroyed; they have caused the cry of her little ones to be heard.

5 For in the ascending road of Luhith he that weeps shall go up weeping; for in the descending road of Horonaim the enemies have heard a cry of destruction.

6 Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.

7 For because thou hast trusted in thy works; in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken; and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together.

8 And the spoiler shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape; the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed as the LORD has spoken.

9 Give wings {Heb. open flowers} unto Moab that he may flee and get away, for his cities shall be desolate, without any to dwell therein.

10 Cursed be he that does the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keeps back his sword from blood.

11 Moab has been at ease from his youth, and he has settled on his lees and has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither has he gone into captivity; therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.

12 Therefore, behold, the days come, said the LORD, that I will send unto him captors that shall take him captive and shall empty his vessels and break his wineskins.

13 And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their confidence.

14 How do ye say, We are mighty and strong men for the war?

15 Moab is spoiled, and his cities destroyed, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, said the King whose name is the LORD of the hosts.

16 The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hastens fast.

17 All ye that are about him, bemoan him; and all ye that know his name, say, How is the strong staff broken: the beautiful rod!

18 Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab has come against thee and has dissipated thy strong holds.

19 O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way and watch; ask her that flees and her that escapes and say, What has happened?

20 Moab is confounded, for it is broken down; howl and cry; tell it in Arnon that Moab is spoiled,

21 and judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,

22 and upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Bethdiblathaim,

23 and upon Kiriathaim, and upon Bethgamul, and upon Bethmeon,

24 and upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, those that are far and those that are near.

Jeremiah 48:1-24 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.