Jeremiah 48:34

34 "Heshbon and Ele-a'leh cry out; as far as Jahaz they utter their voice, from Zo'ar to Horona'im and Eg'lath-shelish'iyah. For the waters of Nimrim also have become desolate.

Jeremiah 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.

Jeremiah 48:34 In-Context

32 More than for Jazer I weep for you, O vine of Sibmah! Your branches passed over the sea, reached as far as Jazer; upon your summer fruits and your vintage the destroyer has fallen.
33 Gladness and joy have been taken away from the fruitful land of Moab; I have made the wine cease from the wine presses; no one treads them with shouts of joy; the shouting is not the shout of joy.
34 "Heshbon and Ele-a'leh cry out; as far as Jahaz they utter their voice, from Zo'ar to Horona'im and Eg'lath-shelish'iyah. For the waters of Nimrim also have become desolate.
35 And I will bring to an end in Moab, says the LORD, him who offers sacrifice in the high place and burns incense to his god.
36 Therefore my heart moans for Moab like a flute, and my heart moans like a flute for the men of Kir-he'res; therefore the riches they gained have perished.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.