Jeremiah 49:3

Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, [and] his priests and his princes together.

Howl {H3213}, O Heshbon {H2809}, for Ai {H5857} is spoiled {H7703}: cry {H6817}, ye daughters {H1323} of Rabbah {H7237}, gird {H2296} you with sackcloth {H8242}; lament {H5594}, and run to and fro {H7751} by the hedges {H1448}; for their king {H4428} shall go {H3212} into captivity {H1473}, and his priests {H3548} and his princes {H8269} together {H3162}.

"Wail, Heshbon, for 'Ai is doomed! Cry out, daughters of Rabbah! Wear sackcloth and mourn, running here and there among the sheep pens. For Malkam will go into exile, together with his priests and officers.

Wail, O Heshbon, for Ai has been destroyed; cry out, O daughters of Rabbah! Put on sackcloth and mourn; run back and forth within your walls, for Milcom will go into exile together with his priests and officials.

Wail, O Heshbon, for Ai is laid waste; cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth: lament, and run to and fro among the fences; for Malcam shall go into captivity, his priests and his princes together.

Context

Jeremiah 49:3 is part of a larger section in the book of Jeremiah (chapters 46-51) containing Jeremiah's prophecies against various foreign nations. Specifically, this verse falls within the prophecy against Ammon (Jeremiah 49:1-6), a nation located east of the Jordan River, often in conflict with Israel. The prophet declares impending judgment upon Ammon for its pride, idolatry, and for seizing Israelite territory.

The verse names specific cities: Heshbon, a city originally Moabite, then Amorite, later part of Israel's tribal inheritance, is called to "howl." This could imply its close association with Ammon, or that it too will suffer a similar fate, or even lament with Ammon. Ai here refers to an Ammonite city, not the Ai famously conquered by Joshua, and it is described as "spoiled" or ruined, likely by an invading force. Rabbah was the capital city of Ammon, and its "daughters" (its surrounding towns or inhabitants) are commanded to cry out in grief.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The primary theme is God's sovereign judgment against nations that oppose Him and His people. Ammon's pride and aggression are met with swift and devastating consequences.
  • Profound Lamentation: The language vividly portrays deep sorrow and despair through commands to "howl," "cry," "gird you with sackcloth," and "lament." This indicates a complete collapse of their societal structures and a loss of hope. Wearing sackcloth was a common ancient Near Eastern practice signifying intense mourning, repentance, or distress.
  • Total Collapse of Leadership: The prophecy explicitly states that "their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together." This signifies the complete dismantling of Ammon's political, religious, and social leadership, leading to utter subjugation. This echoes the widespread reality of captivity in the ancient Near East.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "howl" (yelal) denotes a loud, mournful cry, often associated with a funeral dirge or a cry of despair in the face of disaster.
  • "Spoiled" (shadad) implies plunder, devastation, and ruin, indicating that Ai has been thoroughly despoiled by invaders.

Prophetic Significance & Application

Jeremiah's prophecy against Ammon, including Jeremiah 49:3, demonstrates God's righteous judgment over all nations, not just Israel. It serves as a reminder that earthly kingdoms and their leaders are ultimately subject to divine authority. For ancient Israel, it offered assurance that God would deal with their enemies.

For us today, this verse underscores several points:

  • Accountability: Nations and their leaders are accountable to God for their actions, especially regarding justice, pride, and treatment of others.
  • The End of Earthly Power: It highlights the transient nature of human power and glory. Even mighty kings, priests, and princes can be brought low.
  • Sorrow for Sin: The intense lamentation serves as a stark picture of the consequences of unrepentant sin and rebellion against God. It calls us to consider our own need for repentance and reliance on God's mercy rather than earthly might.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 48:7

    For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity [with] his priests and his princes together.

  • Isaiah 15:2

    He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads [shall be] baldness, [and] every beard cut off.

  • Jeremiah 48:37

    For every head [shall be] bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands [shall be] cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.

  • 1 Kings 11:33

    Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do [that which is] right in mine eyes, and [to keep] my statutes and my judgments, as [did] David his father.

  • Jeremiah 4:8

    For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from us.

  • Jeremiah 46:25

    The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings; even Pharaoh, and [all] them that trust in him:

  • 2 Kings 23:13

    And the high places that [were] before Jerusalem, which [were] on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back