Jeremiah 48:44

Translation
King James Version
He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon it, even upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.
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KJV (with Strong's)
He that fleeth H5127 H5211 from H6440 the fear H6343 shall fall H5307 into the pit H6354; and he that getteth up H5927 out of the pit H6354 shall be taken H3920 in the snare H6341: for I will bring H935 upon it, even upon Moab H4124, the year H8141 of their visitation H6486, saith H5002 the LORD H3068.
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Complete Jewish Bible
"Whoever flees from the terror will fall into the pit; and he who climbs up out of the pit will be caught in the trap. For I will bring on her, on Mo'av, the year for her punishment," says ADONAI.
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Berean Standard Bible
“Whoever flees the panic will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in the snare. For I will bring upon Moab the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD.
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American Standard Version
He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon him, even upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith Jehovah.
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World English Bible Messianic
He who flees from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he who gets up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring on him, even on Moab, the year of their visitation, says the LORD.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
He that escapeth from the feare, shall fall in the pit, and he that getteth vp out of the pit, shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring vpon it, euen vpon Moab, the yeere of their visitation, sayeth the Lord.
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Young's Literal Translation
Whoso is fleeing because of the fear falleth into the snare, And whoso is coming up from the snare is captured by the gin, For I bring in unto her--unto Moab--The year of their inspection, An affirmation of Jehovah.
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See also
Jeremiah 11:231 Kings 19:17Amos 5:19Jeremiah 46:21Amos 2:14Amos 2:15Jeremiah 16:16
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Prophecy Against Moab
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In the KJVVerse 20,125 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Jeremiah 48:44 delivers a stark and unyielding prophecy concerning Moab, depicting an inescapable sequence of divine judgment. The verse employs vivid, escalating imagery: those attempting to flee from impending terror will inevitably fall into a pit, and even those who manage to escape the pit will find themselves caught in a snare. This relentless progression culminates in the Lord's authoritative declaration that He Himself will bring upon Moab "the year of their visitation," signifying a divinely appointed and unavoidable time of comprehensive reckoning and punishment.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Jeremiah 48:44 is centrally positioned within a comprehensive prophetic oracle against Moab, which encompasses the entirety of Jeremiah 48. This chapter is part of a broader collection of prophecies against foreign nations found in Jeremiah 46-51, serving to underscore Yahweh's universal sovereignty over all peoples, not just Israel. The preceding verses in chapter 48 meticulously detail the impending devastation of Moab, lamenting the destruction of its cities (e.g., Jeremiah 48:1-6), the suffering of its inhabitants, and the humiliation of its false god, Chemosh. The narrative progressively intensifies, moving from initial widespread destruction to the complete shattering of Moab's national pride and military strength (e.g., Jeremiah 48:29-30). Therefore, verse 44 functions as a climactic and definitive statement, emphasizing the utter futility of any attempt to resist or escape the divinely ordained judgment that has been so thoroughly described throughout the chapter, highlighting its comprehensive and inescapable nature.

  • Historical & Cultural Context: Moab was an ancient kingdom situated east of the Dead Sea, with a historical connection to Israel through Lot, as recorded in Genesis 19:37. Despite this familial tie, Moab frequently acted as an adversary to Israel, often characterized in biblical texts by its profound pride, material wealth, and reliance on its formidable fortified cities. Culturally, Moab's religious life was deeply rooted in the worship of its national deity, Chemosh, to whom, on occasion, child sacrifices were offered, as tragically illustrated in 2 Kings 3:27. The phrase "the year of their visitation" in this prophecy most likely refers to the Babylonian invasion under Nebuchadnezzar, which occurred in the early 6th century BCE. God consistently utilized powerful empires, such as Babylon, as instruments of His judgment against various nations, including His own covenant people, Israel, as seen in Jeremiah 25:9. This historical backdrop vividly illustrates how divine prophecies were often fulfilled through significant geopolitical events, thereby demonstrating God's absolute sovereign control over the rise and fall of nations.

  • Key Themes: Jeremiah 48:44 powerfully articulates several core themes that are pervasive throughout prophetic literature. Firstly, it emphatically underscores the Inescapable Nature of Divine Judgment. The vivid imagery of desperate flight leading to a pit, and subsequent escape from the pit leading only to a snare, dramatically illustrates the absolute futility of any human attempt to evade God's determined judgment. This theme is consistently echoed in other prophetic warnings, such as the pronouncements in Amos 9:1-4. Secondly, the verse highlights God's Absolute Sovereignty and Justice. The definitive declaration, "for I will bring upon it... saith the LORD," unequivocally emphasizes that Moab's impending fate is not a random misfortune but a deliberate, divinely orchestrated act of justice. God, as the supreme ruler of all nations, holds them accountable for their actions, particularly their pride, idolatry, and opposition to His divine purposes, as extensively detailed throughout the broader context of Jeremiah 48. Finally, the verse implicitly points to the Consequences of Pride and Idolatry. While not explicitly detailed within this single verse, the overarching message of the prophecy against Moab is that their catastrophic downfall is a direct consequence of their arrogance and their misplaced trust in false gods and their own inherent strength, rather than in the one true God—a common prophetic indictment found in passages like Isaiah 2:12-17.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • fleeth (Hebrew, nûwç', H5127): This verb signifies "to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver); [idiom] abate, away, be displayed, (make to) flee (away, -ing), put to flight, [idiom] hide, lift up a standard." In this context, it powerfully conveys the desperate, rapid, and often chaotic movement of one attempting to escape an immediate and overwhelming peril. It underscores the urgency and ultimate futility of Moab's efforts to evade the divinely ordained judgment, highlighting a frantic but doomed attempt at self-preservation.
  • taken (Hebrew, lâkad', H3920): Derived from H3920, this word means "to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere; [idiom] at all, catch (self), be frozen, be holden, stick together, take." This term vividly describes the inevitable and complete capture, signifying that despite any temporary reprieve or successful evasion of an initial threat, the ultimate outcome for Moab is unavoidable entrapment, defeat, and subjugation. It emphasizes the finality and comprehensiveness of the judgment.
  • visitation (Hebrew, pᵉquddâh', H6486): This feminine passive participle means "visitation (in many senses, chiefly official); account, (that have the) charge, custody, that which...laid up, numbers, office(-r), ordering, oversight, [phrase] prison, reckoning, visitation." In a prophetic context like Jeremiah 48:44, "visitation" carries a profound connotation of divine inspection, accountability, and reckoning. It signifies a specific, appointed time when God "settles accounts" with a nation, bringing judgment and punishment for its accumulated sins, rather than a benevolent or casual visit.

Verse Breakdown

  • "He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit;": This opening clause vividly portrays a scene of desperate flight in the face of overwhelming terror or impending doom. The "fear" represents the immediate and palpable threat of divine judgment or the invading forces acting as its instrument. The act of fleeing, undertaken with the intention of securing safety and escape, paradoxically leads the one fleeing directly into another, equally perilous situation—"the pit." This "pit" symbolizes a hidden, unexpected, and inescapable trap or downfall, illustrating the utter futility of human efforts to circumvent or outmaneuver God's sovereign will.
  • "and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare:": This second clause intensifies the imagery of inescapable doom, demonstrating the relentless nature of the judgment. Even if an individual or nation manages to overcome the initial peril represented by "the pit," a more subtle, yet equally deadly, danger awaits—"the snare." This progression highlights the comprehensive and inescapable nature of God's judgment; there is no ultimate refuge or successful evasion. Any temporary reprieve or perceived escape only leads to a more certain and definitive capture, sealing their fate.
  • "for I will bring upon it, [even] upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.": This concluding declaration provides the divine rationale and ultimate authority behind the preceding vivid imagery. The conjunction "for" indicates that the inescapable and successive perils faced by Moab are not accidental misfortunes but are the direct and inevitable consequences of God's sovereign decree. The phrase "the year of their visitation" signifies a divinely appointed and specific period of reckoning and punishment, a time when God's justice will be fully and decisively executed upon Moab. The emphatic concluding phrase, "saith the LORD," underscores the absolute certainty, divine origin, and unalterable nature of this prophecy, leaving no doubt that this judgment originates from Yahweh Himself.

Literary Devices

Jeremiah 48:44 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its powerful message of inescapable judgment. The most prominent is Climactic Parallelism or Gradation, where the sequence of events intensifies with each clause: fleeing from fear leads to falling into a pit, and escaping the pit leads to being taken in a snare. This creates a compelling sense of escalating doom and futility, emphasizing that there is no ultimate escape from the divine decree. This progression also functions as a powerful Metaphor for the comprehensive and relentless nature of divine judgment. The "fear," "pit," and "snare" are not merely literal obstacles but symbolic representations of the various forms of peril, entrapment, and inescapable consequences that will befall Moab. Furthermore, the phrase "the year of their visitation" carries a profound Irony or Euphemism. While "visitation" can, in other contexts, imply a benevolent inspection or blessing, here it is ironically used to denote a time of severe reckoning and punishment, highlighting the stark and devastating contrast between any false hope and the harsh reality of God's judgment.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Jeremiah 48:44 profoundly illustrates the foundational biblical truth of divine sovereignty over all nations and the absolute certainty of God's justice. It teaches that no human effort, no matter how desperate, cunning, or resourceful, can ultimately thwart the appointed will of the Almighty. This concept of an inescapable "visitation" underscores God's active and decisive involvement in human history, holding all peoples accountable for their moral and spiritual rebellion. It stands as a testament to His unyielding righteousness, which demands a reckoning for pride, idolatry, and injustice. While God is merciful and patient, there comes an appointed time when His patience gives way to the execution of His just decrees, ensuring that all nations, like Moab, must ultimately face the consequences of their actions and the judgment they have incurred.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Jeremiah 48:44 stands as a solemn and profound reminder that attempts to escape the inevitable consequences of sin or to avoid divine accountability are ultimately futile. For individuals, this means recognizing that self-reliance, denial, or superficial efforts to change cannot circumvent the spiritual reality of God's moral order. True peace, security, and lasting freedom are found not in desperately fleeing from God's judgment, but rather in humbly embracing His grace and aligning one's life wholeheartedly with His revealed will. This verse challenges us to critically examine any areas where we might be trusting in our own cunning, resources, or fleeting escapes rather than in God's unfailing provision and sovereign guidance. It encourages a healthy and reverent fear of the Lord, fostering an understanding that while His mercy is boundless and His patience long-suffering, His justice is also absolutely certain and will be executed in His perfect timing. For those who are in Christ, this verse offers profound comfort and assurance, as the "visitation" of judgment has been fully borne by Him on the cross, thereby making a way of true and eternal escape from condemnation.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what areas of my life might I be trying to "flee from the fear" or escape accountability rather than humbly facing truth and seeking God's grace?
  • How does the vivid imagery of the "pit" and "snare" challenge my sense of self-sufficiency or any false sense of security I might hold apart from God?
  • What does "the year of their visitation" teach me about God's perfect timing and the unwavering certainty of His justice, both in biblical history and in the world today?

FAQ

What does "the year of their visitation" mean in this context?

Answer: In Jeremiah 48:44, "the year of their visitation" refers to a divinely appointed and specific time of reckoning and punishment for Moab. While the Hebrew word for "visitation" (p'quddah) can indeed sometimes denote a benevolent visit (e.g., God visiting His people with blessings, as in Ruth 1:6), in prophetic contexts concerning judgment, it consistently signifies a time of divine inspection, accounting, and the execution of God's righteous justice. For Moab, this "year" was the precise period when God's long-standing patience would reach its end, and the accumulated consequences of their pride, idolatry, and historical opposition to His people would be fully brought to bear, most likely through the invading Babylonian armies serving as instruments of His wrath. It profoundly underscores that God's judgments are not random or arbitrary but are integral parts of His sovereign plan and perfect timing.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Jeremiah 48:44, with its vivid portrayal of inescapable judgment and the utter futility of human attempts to escape divine wrath, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Humanity, much like ancient Moab, is inherently ensnared by sin and stands under the righteous judgment of a holy God, possessing no inherent ability to "flee from the fear" of divine wrath or to "get up out of the pit" of spiritual death on its own. Every human effort to escape the pervasive consequences of sin leads only to deeper entanglement, much like the progression from falling into the pit to being caught in the snare. However, Jesus Christ is the divine "escape" and the ultimate "deliverance" from this desperate predicament. He did not flee from the "fear" of God's wrath but willingly and obediently faced it, becoming sin for us on the cross (as profoundly declared in 2 Corinthians 5:21). He descended into the "pit" of death and the grave, only to rise victoriously on the third day, thereby definitively breaking the "snare" of sin, death, and the power of the grave (as foreshadowed in Psalm 16:10 and triumphantly fulfilled in Acts 2:24). His first coming was indeed a "visitation" of unparalleled grace and salvation (as celebrated in Luke 1:68), offering a true and lasting way out of the inescapable judgment described in Jeremiah. For all who place their trust in Him, the "year of their visitation" is not one of condemnation, but rather one of redemption, forgiveness, and eternal life (as promised in John 5:24), precisely because Christ bore the full weight of the judgment for us.

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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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