Yirmeyah 48:34

34 From the cry of Cheshbon even unto Elealeh, and even unto Yahatz, have they uttered their voice, from Tzoar even unto Choronayim, as Eglat-Shlishiyah; for the mayim also of Nimrim shall be dried up.

Yirmeyah 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.

Yirmeyah 48:34 In-Context

32 O gefen (vine) of Sivmah, I will weep for thee with the weeping of Yazer; thy branches are spread over the yam, they reach even to the yam Yazer; the plunderer is fallen upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage.
33 And simchah and gladness is taken from the carmel, and from Eretz Moav, and I have caused yayin to fail from the winepresses; none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall not be [joyful] shouting.
34 From the cry of Cheshbon even unto Elealeh, and even unto Yahatz, have they uttered their voice, from Tzoar even unto Choronayim, as Eglat-Shlishiyah; for the mayim also of Nimrim shall be dried up.
35 Moreover I will cause to cease in Moav, saith Hashem, him that offereth in the high places, and him that burneth ketoret to his elohim.
36 Therefore Mine lev shall wail for Moav like flutes, and Mine lev shall wail like flutes for the anashim of Kir-Cheres; because the riches that he hath gotten are perished.
The Orthodox Jewish Bible fourth edition, OJB. Copyright 2002,2003,2008,2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International. All rights reserved.