Jeremiah 48:37

37 Every head has been shaved and every beard cut off. Everyone's hands are cut, and everyone wears rough cloth around his waist.

Jeremiah 48:37 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 48:37

For every head [shall be] bald, and every beard clipped
Men, in times of mourning, used to pluck off the hairs of their head till they made them bald, and shaved their beards; which, as Kimchi says, were the glory of their faces; see ( Isaiah 15:2 ) ; upon all the hands shall be cuttings:
it was usual with the Heathens to make incisions in the several parts of their bodies, particularly in their hands and arms, with their nails, or with knives, in token of mourning; which are forbidden the Israelites, ( Deuteronomy 14:1 ) ; and upon the loins sackcloth;
this is a well known custom for mourners, to put off their clothes, and put on sackcloth; all these things are mentioned, to show how great was the mourning of Moab for the calamities of it.

Jeremiah 48:37 In-Context

35 I will stop Moab from making burnt offerings at the places of worship and from burning incense to their gods," says the Lord.

36 "My heart cries sadly for Moab like a flute playing a funeral song. It cries like a flute for the people from Kir Hareseth. The money they made has all been taken away.

37 Every head has been shaved and every beard cut off. Everyone's hands are cut, and everyone wears rough cloth around his waist.

38 People are crying on every roofn in Moab and in every public square. There is nothing but sadness, because I have broken Moab like a jar no one wants," says the Lord.

39 "Moab is shattered! The people are crying! Moab turns away in shame! People all around her make fun of her. The things that happened fill them with great fear."