Jeremiah 48:20-30

20 Moab is shamed, for he is overcome; yell ye, and cry; tell ye (out) in Arnon, that Moab is destroyed.

21 And doom is come to the land of the field (And judgement hath come to the land of the field, or to the plateau), (yea,) on Holon, and on Jahazah, and on Mephaath,

22 and on Dibon, and on Nebo, and on the house of Diblathaim (and on Bethdiblathaim),

23 and on Kiriathaim, and on Bethgamul, and on Bethmeon,

24 and on Kerioth, and on Bozrah, and on all the cities of the land of Moab, that be far, and that be nigh. (and on Kerioth, and on Bozrah, and on all the cities in the land of Moab, that be far away, and that be near.)

25 The horn of Moab is cut away, and the arm thereof is all-broken, saith the Lord.

26 Fill ye him greatly, for he is raised (up) against the Lord; and he shall hurtle down the hand of Moab in his spewing, and he also shall be into scorn.

27 For why, Israel, he was into scorn to thee, as if thou haddest found him among thieves; therefore for thy words which thou spakest against him, thou shalt be led (away as a) prisoner.

28 Ye dwellers of Moab, forsake cities, and dwell in the stone, and be ye as a culver making nest in the highest mouth of an hole. (Ye inhabitants of Moab, leave the cities, and live among the stones, and be ye like a dove making her nest in the highest mouth of a hole in the wall of the cliff.)

29 We have heard the pride of Moab; he is full proud. I know, saith the Lord, the highness thereof, and pride in word, and pride in bearing, and the highness of heart, (We have heard of the pride of Moab; yea, he is very proud. I know his highness, saith the Lord, and his pride in words, and his pride in bearing, and the highness of his heart,)

30 and the boast thereof, and that the virtue thereof is not nigh, either like it, neither it enforced to do after that that it might. (and his boasting, and that his virtue, if any, is far from apparent, and that he hath not endeavoured to do what he should do.)

Jeremiah 48:20-30 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.