Jeremiah 48:8-18

8 The destroyer will come against every town; not one town will escape. The valley will be ruined, and the high plain will be destroyed, as the Lord has said.

9 Give wings to Moab, because she will surely leave her land. Moab's towns will become empty, with no one to live in them.

10 A curse will be on anyone who doesn't do what the Lord says, and a curse will be on anyone who holds back his sword from killing.

11 "The people of Moab have never known trouble. They are like wine left to settle; they have never been poured from one jar to another. They have not been taken into captivity. So they taste as they did before, and their smell has not changed.

12 A time is coming," says the Lord, "When I will send people to pour you from your jars. and smash her jugs.

13 The people of Israel trusted that god in the town of Bethel, and they were ashamed when there was no help. In the same way Moab will be ashamed of their god Chemosh.

14 "You cannot say, 'We are warriors! We are brave men in battle!'

15 The destroyer of Moab and her towns has arrived. Her best young men will be killed!" says the King, whose name is the Lord All-Powerful.

16 "The end of Moab is near, and she will soon be destroyed.

17 All you who live around Moab, all you who know her, cry for her. Say, 'The ruler's power is broken; Moab's power and glory are gone.'

18 "You people living in the town of Dibon, come down from your place of honor and sit on the dry ground, because the destroyer of Moab has come against you. And he has destroyed your strong, walled cities.

Jeremiah 48:8-18 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.