Jeremiah 48:17

All ye that are about him, bemoan him; and all ye that know his name, say, How is the strong staff broken, [and] the beautiful rod!

All ye that are about {H5439} him, bemoan {H5110} him; and all ye that know {H3045} his name {H8034}, say {H559}, How is the strong {H5797} staff {H4294} broken {H7665}, and the beautiful {H8597} rod {H4731}!

Pity him, all of you who are near him, all of you who know his name; say, "How the mighty scepter is shattered, that splendid staff!"

Mourn for him, all you who surround him, everyone who knows his name; tell how the mighty scepter is shattered— the glorious staff!

All ye that are round about him, bemoan him, and all ye that know his name; say, How is the strong staff broken, the beautiful rod!

Commentary

Jeremiah 48:17 is a poignant call to lamentation over the impending destruction of Moab, a neighboring nation to ancient Israel. This verse vividly portrays the utter collapse of Moab's power and prestige, using powerful metaphors to describe its downfall.

Context

This verse is part of a longer prophetic oracle against Moab found in Jeremiah chapter 48. For centuries, Moab had been a proud and often antagonistic neighbor of Israel, known for its self-reliance, wealth, and idolatry, particularly the worship of the god Chemosh. The prophecy details the complete desolation of Moab, a severe judgment from God for its arrogance and opposition to His people. The call to "bemoan him" is directed at those surrounding Moab, who would witness or hear of its downfall, emphasizing the severity and finality of the coming destruction.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment on Nations: The verse highlights God's ultimate sovereignty over all nations, demonstrating that even powerful kingdoms like Moab are subject to His righteous judgment. This echoes a broader biblical theme that no nation is above accountability to God, as seen in prophecies against other nations like Babylon (Isaiah 13) or Egypt.
  • Lamentation and Loss: The command "bemoan him" underscores the profound sorrow and shock that would accompany Moab's fall. It’s a call for the onlookers to join in the mourning, recognizing the devastating loss of national identity and strength.
  • Shattered Power and Authority: The imagery of the "strong staff broken, and the beautiful rod" powerfully symbolizes the complete collapse of Moab's military might, political authority, and former glory. The staff and rod were common symbols of rule, strength, and support in the ancient Near East.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms for "staff" (matteh) and "rod" (miqqel) are often used interchangeably or in conjunction to denote symbols of power, authority, and even tribal or national leadership. A "strong staff" (מַטֶּה־עֹז - matteh-oz) signifies robust strength and governance, while a "beautiful rod" (מִקֵּל מִפְאָר - miqqel mif'ar) speaks to the splendor, prestige, and perhaps even the prosperity that Moab once enjoyed. Their being "broken" implies not just a defeat, but a complete and irreparable shattering of their very essence and function, leading to utter ruin. This vivid imagery conveys the depth of Moab's humiliation and loss.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 48:17 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths:

  • God's Sovereignty: It reaffirms that God is sovereign over all earthly powers and nations. No empire, no matter how strong or proud, can ultimately stand against His will. This offers comfort to believers that God is in control, even amidst global turmoil.
  • The Peril of Pride: Moab's downfall was largely attributed to its pride and self-sufficiency (Jeremiah 48:29). This verse implicitly warns against national or personal arrogance, echoing the proverb that "pride goeth before destruction."
  • Transient Nature of Worldly Power: The "strong staff" and "beautiful rod" of Moab, once symbols of its might, were utterly broken. This illustrates the fleeting nature of worldly power, wealth, and glory compared to the eternal kingdom of God. It encourages a focus on eternal values rather than temporary earthly achievements.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 9:4

    For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.

  • Jeremiah 9:17

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for cunning [women], that they may come:

  • Jeremiah 9:20

    Yet hear the word of the LORD, O ye women, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth, and teach your daughters wailing, and every one her neighbour lamentation.

  • Zechariah 11:10

    And I took my staff, [even] Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people.

  • Zechariah 11:14

    Then I cut asunder mine other staff, [even] Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

  • Jeremiah 48:31

    Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; [mine heart] shall mourn for the men of Kirheres.

  • Jeremiah 48:33

    And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; [their] shouting [shall be] no shouting.
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