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Translation
King James Version
O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer: thy plants are gone over the sea, they reach even to the sea of Jazer: the spoiler is fallen upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage.
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KJV (with Strong's)
O vine H1612 of Sibmah H7643, I will weep H1058 for thee with the weeping H1065 of Jazer H3270: thy plants H5189 are gone over H5674 the sea H3220, they reach H5060 even to the sea H3220 of Jazer H3270: the spoiler H7703 is fallen H5307 upon thy summer fruits H7019 and upon thy vintage H1210.
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Complete Jewish Bible
I will weep for you, vineyard of Sivmah, more than I wept for Ya'zer. Your branches spread to the sea, reaching as far as the sea of Ya'zer. On your summer fruits and on your vintage the destroyer has fallen.
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Berean Standard Bible
I will weep for you, O vine of Sibmah, more than I weep for Jazer. Your tendrils have extended to the sea; they reach even to Jazer. The destroyer has descended on your summer fruit and grape harvest.
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American Standard Version
With more than the weeping of Jazer will I weep for thee, O vine of Sibmah: thy branches passed over the sea, they reached even to the sea of Jazer: upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage the destroyer is fallen.
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World English Bible Messianic
With more than the weeping of Jazer will I weep for you, vine of Sibmah: your branches passed over the sea, they reached even to the sea of Jazer: on your summer fruits and on your vintage the destroyer is fallen.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
O vine of Sibmah, I will weepe for thee, as I wept for Iazer: thy plants are gone ouer the sea, they are come to the sea of Iazer: ye destroyer is fallen vpon thy somer fruites, and vpon thy vintage,
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Young's Literal Translation
With the weeping of Jazer, I weep for thee, O vine of Sibmah, Thy branches have passed over a sea, Unto the sea of Jazer they have come, On thy summer fruits, and on thy harvest, A spoiler hath fallen.
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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Jeremiah 48:32 is a profound prophetic lament over the impending devastation of Moab, specifically focusing on the cities of Sibmah and Jazer, renowned for their luxuriant vineyards and abundant agricultural produce. The prophet, speaking on behalf of God, expresses deep sorrow over the destruction of Moab's prosperity and national pride, which will be utterly laid waste by an invading "spoiler," signifying the complete and irreversible collapse of their economic and social foundations.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This verse is situated within Jeremiah's extensive oracle of judgment against Moab, detailed in Jeremiah chapter 48. The chapter systematically outlines the downfall of various Moabite cities and the comprehensive nature of their destruction. Following earlier pronouncements against Moab's pride and idolatry, Jeremiah 48:32 shifts from a declarative judgment to a poignant lament, revealing the emotional depth of God (or the prophet) over the impending suffering, even of an enemy nation. This lament foreshadows the complete desolation described in the latter part of the chapter, emphasizing the loss of Moab's most celebrated assets.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: Moab was a nation located east of the Dead Sea, frequently in conflict with Israel, and known for its agricultural wealth, particularly its vineyards and fruit orchards. Cities like Sibmah and Jazer were celebrated for their exceptional produce, so much so that their "vine" and "plants" were proverbial for their abundance and widespread reach. Moab's prosperity often fostered a sense of self-sufficiency and pride, as noted in Jeremiah 48:7 and Jeremiah 48:11. The "spoiler" refers to the Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar, whom God used as an instrument of judgment against nations that opposed Him or were steeped in idolatry and pride. The destruction of their agricultural base was not merely economic ruin but a profound blow to their national identity and a symbol of their complete subjugation.
  • Key Themes: The primary themes in this verse and the broader oracle include Divine Judgment, which is a direct consequence of Moab's persistent pride and rebellion against God, as highlighted in Jeremiah 48:29. Despite the certainty of judgment, there is a profound Profound Lamentation, illustrating God's sorrow over the suffering that sin brings, even upon those who oppose Him. This lament underscores a divine compassion that grieves over the loss of life and prosperity. Furthermore, the verse vividly portrays the Loss of Prosperity and Fruitfulness, using the imagery of the "vine of Sibmah" and "summer fruits and vintage" to symbolize the complete devastation of Moab's economic and cultural lifeblood. This signifies that all sources of their earthly confidence and pride will be stripped away.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Vine (Hebrew, gephen', H1612): From an unused root meaning "to bend," this term refers to a vine, especially the grape vine. In this context, "vine of Sibmah" is a powerful metaphor for the nation of Moab itself, or specifically the region of Sibmah, known for its exceptional viticulture. It symbolizes the nation's prosperity, fruitfulness, and the source of its pride and wealth. The lament over the "vine" signifies the impending destruction of this very essence of Moabite identity and abundance.
  • Weep (Hebrew, bâkâh', H1058): A primitive root meaning "to weep" or "to bemoan." The repetition of "I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer" emphasizes the intensity and universality of the sorrow. This is not merely human grief but a divine lament, indicating God's profound sorrow over the desolation He permits as a just consequence of sin. It highlights a compassionate aspect of God's character, even in judgment.
  • Spoiler (Hebrew, shâdad', H7703): From a primitive root meaning "to be burly" or "to ravage," this term refers to a destroyer, oppressor, or robber. In Jeremiah 48:32, the "spoiler" is the instrument of God's judgment, specifically the Babylonian army. The term emphasizes the violent and destructive nature of the invasion, which will utterly lay waste to Moab's prized agricultural assets, leaving nothing behind.

Verse Breakdown

  • "O vine of Sibmah": This is a direct address, personifying Sibmah (and by extension, Moab) as a renowned vine. It immediately establishes the focus of the lament on Moab's celebrated agricultural wealth and the impending loss of its glory and fruitfulness.
  • "I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer": The speaker, likely God through Jeremiah, expresses profound sorrow. The comparison to "the weeping of Jazer" (another city famed for its produce, whose destruction was equally lamentable) underscores the immense scale and depth of the grief, indicating that the devastation of Sibmah will be as catastrophic and sorrowful as that of Jazer.
  • "thy plants are gone over the sea, they reach [even] to the sea of Jazer": This phrase uses hyperbole to describe the vastness and widespread fame of Sibmah's vineyards. "Gone over the sea" and "reach to the sea of Jazer" could metaphorically imply that the fame of their produce extended far and wide, or literally, that their vineyards were so extensive they seemed to stretch to distant waters. The implication is that despite their vastness and renown, no part of this prosperity will escape the coming destruction.
  • "the spoiler is fallen upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage": This climactic statement reveals the agent and nature of the destruction. The "spoiler" (the Babylonian invaders) has utterly destroyed the "summer fruits" (early harvest) and the "vintage" (grape harvest). This signifies the complete and comprehensive ruin of Moab's economic foundation, stripping them of their most valuable and defining assets.

Literary Devices

Jeremiah 48:32 is rich with literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact. Personification is evident in the direct address "O vine of Sibmah," where a city or its produce is given human characteristics, allowing for a lament to be directed towards it. The entire passage functions as a Lament or Elegy, a poetic expression of grief over loss, which is unusual given that Moab is an enemy nation, highlighting the depth of divine compassion. Metaphor is central, as Moab is consistently represented as a "vine" or "vineyard," a common biblical image for a nation's prosperity and spiritual condition. The phrase "thy plants are gone over the sea, they reach [even] to the sea of Jazer" employs Hyperbole to emphasize the legendary extent and fame of Sibmah's vineyards, making the subsequent destruction even more tragic. Finally, the stark contrast between the former abundance and the present desolation creates a powerful sense of Irony and tragic loss.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

This poignant lament over Moab's destruction reveals a complex interplay of divine justice and compassion. While Moab's pride and idolatry warranted judgment, God's lament underscores His sorrow over the consequences of sin and the suffering it brings, even to those outside His covenant. It reminds us that earthly prosperity, no matter how vast or celebrated, is transient and ultimately subject to God's sovereign will. The destruction of the "vine" and "vintage" symbolizes the stripping away of all that nations rely upon apart from God, serving as a stark reminder that true security and lasting fruitfulness are found only in Him.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Jeremiah 48:32 offers profound insights into the nature of divine judgment and compassion, urging us to examine our own lives and priorities. The lament over Moab's lost prosperity serves as a powerful cautionary tale against placing our trust in material wealth, national strength, or human achievements. It challenges us to consider what truly constitutes lasting "fruit" in our lives. Just as God grieved over Moab's downfall, we are called to cultivate a heart of empathy, lamenting the brokenness and suffering in the world, even among those who seem far from God. Ultimately, this verse encourages us to pursue a life of humility, recognizing that all blessings flow from God, and to invest in spiritual fruitfulness that endures beyond the transient nature of earthly gains.

Questions for Reflection

  • What "vines" or sources of pride and security might I be trusting in, apart from God?
  • How does God's lament over Moab's destruction challenge my understanding of divine justice and compassion?
  • In what ways can I cultivate "spiritual fruit" that cannot be "spoiled" by worldly circumstances?
  • How does this passage encourage me to lament over the suffering of others, even those I might consider adversaries?

FAQ

Why does God lament over Moab, an enemy nation?

Answer: God's lament over Moab, an enemy nation, reveals a profound aspect of His character: His compassion and sorrow over the consequences of sin, even when those consequences are justly deserved. While Moab was proud and idolatrous, leading to their judgment, God does not delight in the destruction of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11). His lament demonstrates that His justice is always tempered with sorrow over human suffering, reflecting His desire for all people to turn to Him and live. It underscores that all humanity, regardless of their relationship with Him, is His creation.

What is the significance of the "vine of Sibmah" and "sea of Jazer"?

Answer: The "vine of Sibmah" is a powerful metaphor for Moab's renowned agricultural prosperity, specifically its vineyards, which were a source of immense wealth and national pride. Sibmah was famous for its exceptional grapes and wine. The phrase "sea of Jazer" likely refers to a large body of water near Jazer, another city known for its rich produce, or it could be a hyperbolic expression indicating the vast extent of Moab's vineyards, implying they stretched so far they reached distant waters. The significance lies in the fact that these symbols of Moab's greatest earthly glory and abundance are precisely what will be utterly destroyed by the "spoiler," highlighting the completeness of their downfall.

Who is the "spoiler" mentioned in the verse?

Answer: The "spoiler" (Hebrew: shâdad) in Jeremiah 48:32 refers to the invading forces, specifically the Babylonian army under King Nebuchadnezzar. Throughout the prophetic books, God often uses foreign nations as instruments of His judgment against disobedient nations, including His own people and their adversaries. The term "spoiler" emphasizes the destructive, plundering nature of their invasion, which would strip Moab of its wealth, resources, and very identity, particularly its prized agricultural produce.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Jeremiah's lament over the "vine of Sibmah" finds its ultimate echo and transformation in Christ. While Moab's vine represented earthly prosperity and pride destined for destruction, Jesus declares Himself to be the True Vine in John 15, calling His followers to abide in Him to bear lasting spiritual fruit. The "spoiler" who fell upon Moab's vintage foreshadows the ultimate enemy, Satan, who seeks to spoil and destroy humanity's spiritual fruitfulness. However, Christ, through His death and resurrection, has triumphed over cosmic powers, disarming the true "spoiler" and securing an eternal harvest for those who believe. Furthermore, the divine lament over Moab's suffering finds its deepest expression in Jesus' own weeping over Jerusalem, seeing its impending destruction due to its rejection of God's grace (Luke 19:41-44). This demonstrates that God's heart, fully revealed in Christ, grieves over sin and its devastating consequences, even as His righteous judgment is enacted. Ultimately, the transient nature of Moab's "summer fruits and vintage" points to the enduring, imperishable fruit of the Spirit that believers bear when they are grafted into Christ, the eternal source of life and true abundance (Galatians 5:22-23).

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Commentary on Jeremiah 48 verses 14–47

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points

The destruction is here further prophesied of very largely and with a great copiousness and variety of expression, and very pathetically and in moving language, designed not only to awaken them by a national repentance and reformation to prevent the trouble, or by a personal repentance and reformation to prepare for it, but to affect us with the calamitous state of human life, which is liable to such lamentable occurrences, and with the power of God's anger and the terror of his judgments, when he comes forth to contend with a provoking people. In reading this long roll of threatenings, and meditating on the terror of them, it will be of more use to us to keep this in our eye, and to get our hearts thereby possessed with a holy awe of God and of his wrath, than to enquire critically into all the lively figures and metaphors here used.

I. It is a surprising destruction, and very sudden, that is here threatened. They were very secure, thought themselves strong for war and able to deal with the most powerful enemy (Jer 48:14), and yet the calamity is near, and he is not able to keep it off, nor so much as to keep the enemy long in parley, for the affliction hastens fast (Jer 48:16) and will soon come to a crisis. The enemy shall fly as an eagle, so swiftly, so strongly shall he come (Jer 48:40), as an eagle flies upon his prey, and he shall spread his wings, the wings of his army, over Moab; he shall surround it, that none may escape. The strong-holds of Moab are taken by surprise (Jer 48:41), so that all their strength stood them in no stead; and this made the hearts even of their mighty men to fail, for they had not time to recollect the considerations that might have animated them. It requires a more than ordinary degree of courage not to be afraid of sudden fear.

II. It is an utter destruction, and such as lays Moab all in ruins: Moab is spoiled (Jer 48:15), quite spoiled, is confounded and broken down (Jer 48:20); their cities are laid in ashes, or seized by the enemy so that they are forced to quit them, Jer 48:15. Divers cities are here named, upon which judgment has come, and the list concludes with an et cetera - and such like. What occasion was there for him to mention more particulars when it comes upon all the cities of Moab in general, far and near? Jer 48:21-24. Note, When iniquity is universal we have reason to expect that calamity should be so too. The kingdom is deprived of its dignity and authority: The horn of Moab is cut off, the horn of its strength and power, both offensive and defensive; his arm is broken, that he can neither give a blow nor prevent a blow, Jer 48:25. Is the youth of the kingdom the strength and beauty of it? His chosen young men have gone down to the slaughter, Jer 48:15. They went down to the battle promising themselves that they should return victorious; but God told them that they went down to the slaughter; so sure are those to fall against whom God fights. In a word, Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, Jer 48:42. Those that are enemies to God's people will soon be made no people.

III. It is a lamentable destruction; it will be just matter of mourning and will turn joy into heaviness. 1. The prophet that foretels it does himself lament it, and mourns at the very foresight of it, from a principle of compassion to his fellow-creatures and concern for human nature. The prophet will himself howl for Moab; his very heart shall mourn for them (Jer 48:31); he will weep for the vine of Sibmah (Jer 48:32); his heart shall sound like pipes for Moab, Jer 48:36. Though the destruction of Moab would prove him a true prophet, yet he could not think of it without trouble. The ruin of sinners is no pleasure to God, and therefore should be a pain to us; even those that give warning of it should lay it to heart. These passages, and many others in this chapter, are much the same with what Isaiah had used in his prophecies against Moab (Isa 15:1-9, Isa 16:1-14); for, though there was a long distance of time between that prophecy and this, yet they were both dictated by one and the same Spirit, and it becomes God's prophets to speak the language of those that went before them. It is no plagiarism sometimes to make use of old expressions, provided it be with new affections and applications. 2. The Moabites themselves shall lament it; it will be the greatest mortification and grief imaginable to them. Those that sat in glory, in the midst of wealth, and mirth, and all manner of pleasure, shall sit in thirst, in a dry and thirsty land, where no water, no comfort is, Jer 48:18. It is time for them to sit in thirst, and inure themselves to hardship, when the spoiler has come, who will strip them of all, and empty them. The Moabites in the remote corners of the country, that are furthest from the danger, will be inquisitive to know how the matter goes, what news from the army, will ask every one that escapes, What is done? Jer 48:19. And when they are told that all is gone, that the invader is the conqueror, they will howl and cry, in bitterness and anguish of spirit (Jer 48:20); they will abandon themselves to solitude, to lament the desolations of their country; they will leave the cities that used to be full of mirth, and dwell in the rock where they may have their full of melancholy; they shall no more be singing birds, but mourning birds, like the dove (Jer 48:28); the doves of the valley, Eze 7:16. Let those that give themselves up to mirth know that God can soon change their note. Their sorrow shall be so very extreme that they shall make themselves bald and cut themselves (Jer 48:37), which were expressions of a desperate grief, such as tempted men to be even their own destroyers. Job indeed rent his mantle and shaved his head, but he did not cut himself. When the flood of passion rises ever so high wisdom and grace must set bounds to it, set banks to it, to restrain it from such barbarities. The sorrow shall be universal (Jer 48:38): There shall be a general lamentation upon all the house-tops of Moab, where they worshipped their idols, to whom they shall in vain bemoan themselves, and in all the streets, where they conversed with one another, for they shall be free in communicating their grief and fears and in propagating them; for they see all lost: "I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein is no pleasure, which shall not be regarded and cannot be pieced again." That which Moab used to rejoice in was their pleasant fruits and the abundance of their rich wines. The delights of sense were all the matter of their joy. Take away these, destroy their gardens and vineyards, and you make all their mirth to cease, Hos 2:11, Hos 2:12. There is great weeping when their plants are transplanted, have gone over the sea (Jer 48:32), are carried into other countries, to be planted there. The spoiler has fallen upon thy summer-fruits and upon thy vintage, and it is this that makes the cry of Heshbon to reach even to Elealeh, Jer 48:34. Take joy and gladness from the plentiful field, and you take it from the land of Moab, Jer 48:33. If the wine fail from the wine-presses, that used to be trodden with acclamations of joy, all their gladness is cut off. Take away that shouting, and there shall be no shouting. Note, Those who make the delights of sense their chief joy, their exceeding joy, since these are things they may easily be deprived of in a little time subject themselves to the tyranny of the greatest grief; whereas those who rejoice in God may do that even when the fig-tree does not blossom and there is no fruit in the vine. These Moabites lost not only their wine, but their water too: Even the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate (Jer 48:34), and therefore their grief grew extravagantly loud and noisy, and their lamentations were heard in all placed like the lowing of a heifer of three years old. The expressions here are borrowed from Isa 15:5, Isa 15:6. 3. All their neighbours are called to mourn with them, and to condole with them on their ruin (Jer 48:17): All you that are about him bemoan him, Let him have that allay to his grief, let him see himself pities by the adjoining countries. Nay, let those at a distance, who do but know his name and have heard of his reputation, take notice of his fall, and say, How is the strong staff broken, whose strength was the terror of its enemies, and the beautiful rod, whose beauty was the pride of its friends! Let the nations take notice of this and receive instruction. Let none be puffed up with or put confidence in their strength or beauty, for neither will be a security against the judgments of God.

IV. It is a shameful destruction and such as shall expose them to contempt: Moab is made drunk (Jer 48:26), and he that is made drunk is made vile; he shall wallow in his vomit, and become an odious spectacle, and shalljustly be in derision. Let the Moabites be intoxicated with the cup of God's wrath till they stagger and fall, and be brought to their wits' end, and make themselves ridiculous by the wildness not only of their passions but of their counsels. And again (Jer 48:39): Moab shall be a derision and a dismaying to all about him; they shall laugh at the fall of the pomp and power he was so proud of. Note, Those that are haughty are preparing reproach and ignominy for themselves.

V. It is the destruction of that which is dear to them, not only of their summer fruits and their vintage, but of their wealth (Jer 48:36): The riches that he has gotten have perished, though he thought he had laid them up very safely, and promised himself a long enjoyment of them, yet they are gone. Note, The money that is hoarded in the chest is as liable to perishing as the summer-fruits that lie exposed in the open field. Riches are shedding things, and, like dust as they are, slip through our fingers even when we are in most care to hold them fast and gripe them hard. Yet this is not the worst; even those whose religion was false and foolish were fond of it above any thing, and, such as it was, would not part with it; and therefore, though it was really a promise, yet to them it was a threatening (Jer 48:35), that God will cause to cease him that offers in the high places, for the high places shall be destroyed, and the fields of offerings shall be laid waste, and the priests themselves, who burnt incense to their gods, shall be slain or carried into captivity, Jer 48:7. Note, It is only the true religion, and the worship and service of the true God, that will stand us in stead in a day of trouble.

VI. It is a just and righteous destruction, and that which they have deserved and brought upon themselves by sin.

1.The sin which they had been most notoriously guilty of, and for which God now reckoned with them, was pride. It is mentioned six times, Jer 48:29. We have all heard of the pride of Moab; his neighbours took notice of it; it has testified to his face, as Israel's did; he is exceedingly proud, and grows worse and worse. Observe his loftiness, his arrogancy, his pride, his haughtiness; the multiplying of words to the same purport intimates in how many instances he discovered his pride, and how offensive it was both to God and man. It was charged upon them Isa, Jer 16:6, but here it is expressed more largely that there. Since then they had been under humbling providences, and yet were unhumbled; nay, they grew more arrogant and haughty, which plainly marked them for that utter destruction of which pride is the forerunner. Two instances are here given of the pride of Moab: - (1.) He had conducted himself insolently towards God. He must be brought down with shame (Jer 48:26), for he has magnified himself against the Lord; and again (Jer 48:42), he shall be destroyed from being a people, for this very reason. The Moabites preferred Chemosh before Jehovah, and thought themselves a match for the God of Israel, whom they set at defiance. (2.) He had conducted himself scornfully towards Israel, particularly in their late troubles; therefore Moab shall fall into the same troubles; into the same hands, and be a derision, for Israel was a derision to him, Jer 48:26, Jer 48:27. The generality of the Moabites, when they heard of the calamities and desolations of their neighbours the Jews, instead of lamenting them, rejoiced in them, they skipped for joy. Many, in such a case, entertain in their minds a secret pleasure at the fall of those they had a dislike to, who yet have so much discretion as to conceal it; it is so invidious a thing. But the Moabites industriously proclaimed their joy, and avowed the enmity they had to Israel, triumphing over every Israelite they met with in distress and laughing at him, which was as inhuman as it was impious and an impudent affront both to man, whose nature they were of, and to God, whose name they were called by. Note, Those that deride others in distress will justly and certainly, sooner or later, come into distress themselves, and be had in derision. Those that are glad at calamities, especially the calamities of God's church, shall not long go unpunished.

2.Besides this they had been guilty of malice against God's people, and treachery in their dealings with them, Jer 48:30. They made a jest of the desolations of Judah and Jerusalem, and pretended, when they laughed at them, that it was but in sport and to make themselves merry; but, says God, "I know his wrath; I know it comes from the old enmity he has to the seed of Abraham and the worshippers of the true God. I know he thinks these calamities of the Jewish nation will end in their utter extirpation. He now tells the Chaldeans what bad people the Jews are, and irritates them against them; but it shall not be so as he expects; his lies shall not so effect it. The nation, whose fall they triumph in, shall recover itself." Some read it, I know his rage. Is it not so? Is he not very furious against the people of God? And his lies I know also. Do they not do so? Do they not belie them? Note, All the fury and all the falsehood of the church's enemies are perfectly known to God, whatever the pretenses are with which they think to cover them, Isa 37:28.

VII. It is a complicated destruction, and by one instance after another will at length be completed; for those that make their escape from one judgment shall perish by another: Fear, and the pit, and the snare, shall be upon them, Jer 48:43. There shall be fear to drive them into the pit, and a snare to hold them fast in it when they are in it; so that they shall neither escape from the destruction nor escape out of it. What was said of sinners in general (Isa 24:17, Isa 24:18), that those who flee from the fear shall fall into the pit and those who come up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare, is here particularly foretold concerning the sinners of Moab (Jer 48:44); for it is the year of their visitation, when God comes to reckon with them, and will be known by the judgments which he executes, for he is the King whose name is the Lord of hosts (Jer 48:15); he is not only the King who has authority to give judgment, but he is the Lord of hosts, who is able to do what he has determined. The figurative expressions used Jer 48:44 are explained in one instance (Jer 48:45): Those that fled out of the villages for fear of the enemy's forces put themselves under the shadow of Heshbon, stood there, and supposed they stood safely, as now armies sometimes retire under the cannon of a fortified city, and it is their protection; but here they should be disappointed, for, when they flee out of the pit, they fall into the snare; Heshbon, which they thought would shelter them, devours them as Moses had foretold long since (Num 21:28): A fire has gone out of Heshbon, and a flame from the city of Sihon, and devours those that come from all the corners of Moab, and fastens upon the crown of the head of the tumultuous noisy ones, or of the revellers, or children of noise, not meant of the rude clamorous multitude, but of the great men, who bluster, and hector, and make a noise; the judgments of God shall light on them. Shall we hear the conclusion of this whole matter? We have it (Jer 48:46): "Woe be to thee, O Moab! thou art undone; the people that worship Chemosh perish, and are gone; farewell, Moab. Thy sons and daughters, the hopes of the next generation, have gone into captivity after the Jews, whose calamities they rejoiced in."

VIII. Yet it is not a perpetual destruction. The chapter concludes with a short promise of their return out of captivity in the latter days. God, who brings them into captivity, will bring again their captivity, Jer 48:47. Thus tenderly does God deal with Moabites, much more with his own people! Even with Moabites he will not contend for ever, nor be always wrath. When Israel returned, Moab did; and perhaps the prophecy was intended chiefly for the encouragement of God's people to hope for that salvation which even Moabites shall share in. Yet it looks further, to gospel times; the Jews themselves refer it to the days of the Messiah; then the captivity of the Gentiles, under the yoke of sin and Satan, shall be brought back by divine grace, which shall make them free, free indeed. This prophecy concerning Moab is long, but here it ends; it ends comfortably: Thus far is the judgment of Moab.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 14–47. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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