Jeremiah 48:34-44

34 Of the cry of Heshbon unto Elealeh and (unto) Jahaz they gave their voice, from Zoar unto Horonaim (like) a cow calf of three years; forsooth the waters of Nimrim shall be full evil. (The people of Heshbon and of Elealeh cry out, and their voices have gone unto Jahaz, and unto Zoar, and unto Horonaim, and even unto Eglath Shelishiyah; for the waters of Nimrim have become evil, and have all dried up.)

35 And I shall take away from Moab, saith the Lord, him that offereth in high places, and him that maketh sacrifice to the gods thereof. (And I shall take away from Moab, saith the Lord, those who offer at the hill shrines, and who make sacrifices to their gods.)

36 Therefore mine heart shall sound as a pipe of brass to Moab, and mine heart shall give (the) sound of pipes to the men of the earthen wall; for it did more than it might, therefore they perished. (And so my heart shall sound like a brass pipe for Moab, and like funeral pipes for the people of Kirheres; for all their riches have perished.)

37 For why (on) each head shall be baldness, and each beard shall be shaved; in all hands shall be binding together (and all hands shall be cut and gouged), and an hair-shirt shall be on each back.

38 And all wailing shall be on all the roofs of Moab, and in the streets thereof, for I have all-broken Moab as an unprofitable vessel, saith the Lord. (And only wailing shall be on all of Moab's rooftops, and in its streets, for I have broken Moab in pieces, like a useless vessel, saith the Lord.)

39 How is it overcome, and they yelled? how hath Moab cast down the noll, and is shamed? And Moab shall be into scorn, and into ensample to all men in his compass. (And they shall yell, How it is overcome! how Moab hath cast down its head, and is shamed! And Moab shall be mocked, and made an example to all the people around it.)

40 The Lord saith these things, Lo! as an eagle he shall fly out, and he shall stretch forth his wings to Moab. (The Lord saith these things, Lo! he shall fly out like an eagle, and he shall stretch out his wings over Moab.)

41 Kerioth is taken, and strongholds be taken; and the heart of strong men of Moab shall be in that day, as the heart of a woman travailing of child. (Yea, Kerioth is taken, and the strongholds be taken; and the hearts of Moab's strong men shall be on that day, like the heart of a woman in labour.)

42 And Moab shall cease to be a people, for it had glory against the Lord. (And Moab shall cease to be a nation, for it magnified itself against the Lord.)

43 Dread, and ditch, and snare is on thee, thou dweller of Moab, saith the Lord. (Terror, and ditch, and trap be waiting for thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the Lord.)

44 He that fleeth from the face of dread, shall fall into a ditch; and they that ascend from the ditch, shall be taken with a snare. For I shall bring on Moab the year of the visitation of them, saith the Lord. (He who fleeth from the face of terror, shall fall into the ditch; and those who get up out of the ditch, shall be caught in the trap. For I shall bring upon Moab the year of its visitation, that is, its time of punishment, saith the Lord.)

Jeremiah 48:34-44 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.