Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 48:39
They shall howl, [saying], How is it broken down! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him.
39. broken down ] See on Jer 48:1.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Literally, How is it broken down! they wail! How hath Moab tutored the back in shame! Yea, Moab is become a laughter and a terror Jer 17:17 to all who are round about him.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Those that formerly lived in Moab, when it was in its glory, shall lament to see how the case is altered with it, that all its glory is broken down, and they that were wont to conquer their enemies turn their backs with shame upon their enemies. And Moab, that was wont to be the praise and admiration of all people, was become an astonishment, and an object of derision and scoffing to them.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
39. itMoab.
How . . . howprodigious,yet sure to happen.
turned the backnotdaring to show her face.
derision . . . dismaying toalla derision to some; a dismaying to others in beholding sucha judgment of God, fearing a like fate for themselves.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
They shall howl, [saying], how is it broken down?…. Or, “how is it broken” or “thrown into consternation p? they howl”; that is, they howl out these words, or, while they are howling, say, how is Kirheres or Moab broken all to pieces; their strength, power, and glory; their cities, and their mighty men; and are in the utmost fright and confusion? Jarchi takes it to be an imperative, and paraphrases it,
“howl ye over her q, and say, how is it broken!”
Kimchi says it may be taken either as in the past or in the imperative;
how hath Moab turned the back with shame? not being able to look their enemies in the face, but obliged to flee before them;
so shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him; a derision to some, to their enemies, as Israel had been to them, and so they are paid in their own coin; and a consternation to others, their friends, who would fear sharing the same fate, at the hands of the Chaldeans.
p “quomodo consternata est”, Piscator, Schmidt. q “ululate”, Munster, Piscator; “ejulate”, Junius & Tremellius.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
No escape from destruction. – Jer 48:39. “How it is broken! they howl. How hath Moab turned the back, for shame! And Moab becomes a laughing-stock and a terror to all his neighbours. Jer 48:40. For thus saith Jahveh: Behold, he shall fly like the eagle, and spread his wings over Moab. Jer 48:41. Kerioth is taken, and the strongholds are seized, and the heart of the heroes of Moab on that day become like the heart of a travailing woman. Jer 48:42. And Moab is destroyed from being a people, because he hath boasted against Jahveh. Jer 48:43. Fear, and a pit, and a snare, are against thee, O inhabitants of Moab, saith Jahveh. Jer 48:44. He who flees from the fear shall fall into the pit, and he who goes up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare; for I will bring against it, against Moab, the year of their recompense, saith Jahveh.” The subject of in Jer 48:39 is Moab viewed as a nation. might be imperative, but in this case we would be obliged to take also as an imperative (as Hitzig and Graf do). It is simpler to take both forms as perfects: “they howl…Moab turns the back, is ashamed” (= for shame). On , cf. Jer 48:26. , object of terror, as in Jer 17:17. “All who are round about him,” as in Jer 48:17. “For (Jer 48:40) the enemy rushes down upon Moab like an eagle, and seizes Kerioth and all his strongholds.” The subject is left unnamed, as in Jer 46:18, but it is Nebuchadnezzar. The figure of the eagle, darting down in flight on its prey, is founded on Deu 28:49 (on – for , cf. Jer 49:22). Kerioth, the capital, is taken (see on Jer 48:24); so are the other strongholds or fastnesses of the country. The mere fact that has the article does not justify any one in taking it as an appellative, “the cities;” this appears from a comparison of Amo 2:2 with this verse. No plural of occurs anywhere. Then the fear of death falls on the heroes of Moab like a woman in labour. , partic. Hiphil from , uterum comprimens , is found only here and in Jer 49:22, where the figure is repeated. Moab is annihilated, so that it is no longer a nation (cf. Jer 48:2), because it has risen up in pride against the God of Israel; cf. Jer 48:26. He who flees from one danger falls into the other. The play on the words , fear, horror, , pit, and , spring-trap, as well as the mode in which it is carried out, is taken from Isa 24:17., – a prophecy of the judgment on the world; see a similar idea presented in Amo 5:19, but somewhat differently expressed. The Kethib , perfect Hiphil, “he flees,” is less suitable than the Qeri (after Isaiah). The last clause, “for I will bring,” etc., is quite in Jeremiah’s peculiar style; cf. Jer 4:23; Jer 23:12. belongs to : the noun is anticipated by the pronoun, as frequently occurs; cf. Jer 9:14; Jer 41:3; Jer 43:11.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
The Prophet still speaks in the person of others, and according to their feelings and not his own. He then says, that howling, they would say, through wonder, How is it that Moab has been so broken, that all had turned their backs, that Moab had become ashamed? He indirectly intimates, that though no one could then know God’s judgment, which he now foretells, yet God would by the event prove that he had said nothing but in earnest. This wonder then was expressed for this purpose, that the Jews might know, that though the calamity of Moab would fill all with astonishment, and make them cry out as respecting an extraordinary thing, “What can this mean?” yet the fulfillment of his prophecy would be certain.
This is the meaning of the words when he says, Howling, they will cry out, How has Moab been broken? and how has he turned his neck, or as they say, his back? Moab is ashamed; and then, he is made a derision, which we have observed before. He adds, a terror, though some read, “a bruising;” but more suitable is fear or terror. For the Prophet means, that Moab would be to others a derision, and that he would be to others a dread, being an example of God’s awful judgment. (22) And he says that he would be a terror to all around, that is, to the whole surrounding country, as well as a laughter and a derision. It follows, —
(22) The literal rendering is as follows, —
How broken! they howled; How has Moab turned the back ashamed! Thus Moab has become a derision And a terror to all around him.
The past tense is used for the future. — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
G. Inescapable Destruction Jer. 48:39-46
TRANSLATION
(39) How sad the dismay! They howl! How sad that Moab has turned the back in shame! Moab shall become an object of derision and terror to those round about! (10) For thus says the LORD: Be-hold, he shall fly as an eagle and spread his wings ever Moab. (41) The cities are captured and the strongholds are seized and the heart of the mighty men of Moab shall be In that day like the heart of a woman in travail. (42) Moab shall be destroyed from being a people because he has exalted himself against the LORD. (43) Terror and pit and trap are upon you, O inhabitant of Moab (oracle of the LORD). (44) The one who climbs out of the pit shall be captured by the trap; for I will bring upon her, upon Moab, the year of their punishment (oracle of the LORD). (45) In the shadow of Heshbon the fugitives stand without strength; for a fire has come forth from Heshbon, and a flame from the midst of Sihon, and it has devoured the corner of Moab, and the head of the son of tumult. (46) Woe to you, O Moab! The people of Chemosh have perished; for they have taken your sons into captivity, and your daughters into exile.
COMMENTS
Surrounding nations will observe the fate of once proud Moab and will themselves take up a mocking lamentation: Moab has turned the back with shame i.e., fled before the enemy. But Moab will not only be an object of derision to neighboring nations, she will also be an object of terror or dismay. If Moab falls to the enemy, what chances do the less powerful nations have for survival? (Jer. 48:39). The reason for their terror is completely justified. The conqueror of Moab will swoop down like an eagle and spread his wings over the whole land (Jer. 48:40). No doubt Jeremiah is here referring to Nebuchadnezzar who is reported to have conquered Moab, Ammon and the neighboring peoples in 582-581 B.C.[390] The figure of an eagle is a favorite description of a victorious conqueror.[391] Victoriously the conqueror sweeps through the land. Kerioth (already mentioned in Jer. 48:24) and the strongholds of the land fall before him. The defenders of the land will be as terrified as a woman experiencing the pangs of childbirth (Jer. 48:41). When the conquest is complete Moab will be destroyed and eventually will cease to be a nation. All of this must happen because Moab has magnified himself against the Lord, the God of Israel (Jer. 48:42). The meaning of this expression, which was used previously in this oracle (Jer. 48:26), is perhaps clarified by a verse in Zephaniah. I have heard the reproach of Moab and the revilings of the children of Ammon, wherewith they have reproached My people, and magnified themselves against their border (Zep. 2:8). The phrase magnify themselves against seems to mean that Moab and Ammon sought to dominate Israel, sought to regain possession of land which the Lord had taken from them and given to Israel. By so harassing Israel they were challenging the Lord himself.
[390] Josephus, Antiquities X. 9. 7.
[391] See Jer. 49:22; Isa. 46:11; Eze. 17:3.
The judgment coming upon Moab will be inescapable. To make this point Jeremiah again borrows from Isaiah (Isa. 24:17-18). In that day of divine visitation the Moabites will be confronted by fear, the pit and the snare (Jer. 48:43). The one who flees from the terror will fall into the pit; the one who climbs up out of the pit will be captured by the snare (Jer. 48:44). These verses seem to reflect a popular proverb meaning that men would go from one danger into another until they are finally, inescapably trapped, Some fugitives of Moab will attempt to seek safety in Heshbon, the neighboring city of the Ammonites. But Heshbon can offer no refuge. In the words of an ancientproverb[392] Afire shall come forth out of Heshbon which will consume the corner or side of Moab and the crown of his head (Jer. 48:45). Far from being a place of safety, Heshbon will be the spot from which the Chaldean flame will spread southward through Moab (cf. Jer. 48:2) just as centuries earlier the Amorite king Sihon launched his attack against Moab from the city of Heshbon (Num. 21:28-30). The Moabites are called tumultuous ones because of their noisy and boastful opposition to the people of Israel and their God. The prophecy ends as it began with a woe against Moab. Those who worship the god Chemosh will go into exile. Their deity would not be able to save them from this fate (Jer. 48:46).
[392] The proverb quoted in Num. 21:28 is here given a new application.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(39) They shall howl, saying, How is it broken down!Better, taking the words in the Hebrew order, How is she broken down! How do they howl! In the word derision we have the emphatic iteration of the term that had been pointedly used in Jer. 48:26; Jer. 48:2. At this stage the parallelism with Isaiah 15, 16 ceases, and the prediction has a more independent character.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
The Coming Judgment On Moab And Its Final Restoration ( Jer 48:39-46 ).
In its pride Moab considered itself invulnerable and well able to take care of itself. It exalted its own god, Chemosh, above YHWH as it arrogantly surveyed what had happened to Judah/Israel. But its very pride led to it refusing tribute to Babylon, with the consequences which followed. When men become too confident in themselves they are heading for a downfall. It may be delayed, but it will come. And if we put anything before God we can be sure that it will be the cause of our downfall.
Jer 48:39
How is it broken down (shattered)! How they wail!
How Moab has turned the back with shame!
So will Moab become a derision,
And a horror (terror) to all who are round about him.”
The end of Moab is vividly described. It is shattered. Its people wail. It turns away with shame. For it has become a derision to all who are around it and were aware of its arrogant claims. The proud nation is to be humbled before all, to the horror of the nations, who will themselves be terrified at the sight, something seen as already accomplished in the prophet’s eyes. How many people today have experienced a similar fate when they have foolishly turned away from or forgotten God? What we sow we reap
Jer 48:40-42
‘For thus says YHWH:
Behold, he will fly as an eagle,
And will spread out his wings against Moab.
Kerioth is taken,
And the strongholds are seized,
And the heart of the mighty men of Moab at that day,
Will be as the heart of a woman in her birthpains.
And Moab will be destroyed from being a people,
Because he has magnified himself against YHWH.”
The people were used to the sight of the terrible eagle as it hovered in the sky and then pounced on some prey for which it had been seeking. In a similar way would Nebuchadrezzar descend upon Moab, flying as an eagle and spreading his wings over Moab, descending to seize his prey. Even mighty Kerioth (see Jer 48:24) would be taken, and Moab’s strongholds would all be seized, and the heart of its trained fighting men would be as desperate and helpless as a woman lying helpless in her labour pains. The dove which had its nest in the clefts of the rock (Jer 48:28), and had thought itself invulnerable, would fall prey to the mighty eagle swooping down from above. For Moab was to be destroyed from being an identifiable nation. And it was because it had magnified itself against God.
Jer 48:43-44
“Fear, and the pit, and the snare,
Are upon you, O inhabitant of Moab,
The word of YHWH,
He who flees from the fear will fall into the pit,
He who climbs out of the pit,
Will be taken in the snare,
For I will bring on him, even upon Moab,
The year of their visitation,
The word of YHWH.”
“Fear (pahath), and the pit (pahat), and the snare (pah).” Note the play on words which brings out the inevitability of the process. For the phrase see Isa 24:17. It was probably by now proverbial. The picture is one of hunted animals, first the animals in terror at the approach of the hunters, then the pit prepared for them into which they are driven, and finally for those who manage to scramble out of the pit, the hunter’s snare which seals the fate of those who escape.
So the vivid picture changes, although the message is the same. Moab is now seen as fleeing in fear like a hunted animal and falling into a hunter’s pit. And if any manage to scramble out of the pit it is only to find themselves caught in a snarer’s trap. There is to be no escape. For it is the year of their visitation, the time when they receive retribution for all that they have been and done. It is a reminder of the words of our own poet, ‘The mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceeding small’. And all this in accordance with the prophetic word of YHWH (neum YHWH).
It is salutary for us all to recognise that ‘the day of our visitation’ will come. One day every one of us will give account to God for what we have done in our bodies, whether good or bad. We should therefore live in readiness for that day.
Jer 48:45
“Those who fled stand without strength,
Under the shadow of Heshbon,
For a fire is gone forth out of Heshbon,
And a flame from the midst of Sihon,
And has devoured the shaped beard (corner) of Moab,
And the crown of the head of the panic-stricken (children of tumult).”
The Moabites are seen as fleeing to mighty Heshbon, once the city of Sihon, king of the Amorites, prior to the arrival of Israel (Num 21:26). Now the capital city of Ammon (Jer 49:3). But Heshbon will do them no favours. For instead of succour, from Heshbon will come fire, for Heshbon also will be in the hands of their enemies. And the fire will devour them, identified as deserving of judgment as they are by their godless symbolism. Arriving at Heshbon panic-stricken, the shaping of their beards and their heads as an indication of mourning, reveal them as belonging to Chemosh, the Moabite god, for they are recognised symbols of pagan mourning. It is as such that they will be devoured.
Comparison should be made with Num 21:28-29; Num 24:17 b, which serves to explain the reference to Sihon. Moses’ words in Numbers will be fulfilled.
Jer 48:46
“Woe to you, O Moab!
The people of Chemosh are undone,
For your sons are taken away captive,
And your daughters into captivity.
Yet will I bring back the captivity of Moab,
In the latter days, the word of YHWH.
Thus far is the judgment of Moab.
And the final consequence will be exile. As those who proudly call themselves ‘the people of Chemosh’ they will be hauled away to foreign lands to eke out their existence, as Israel/Judah had been because of their worship of false gods. Chemosh can do nothing to help them. He is a nonentity.
But it is not to be a final end. In later days many of them will be restored to their land, as indeed would happen under Cyrus of Persia. And this in accordance with the prophetic word of YHWH. There is also in this the hint that one day Moab would participate in the blessing of God when the Gospel reached out to the ends of the earth.
‘Thus far is the judgment of Moab.’ The judgment has been pronounced. Now awaits its execution. But it is a judgment tinged with mercy.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jer 48:39 They shall howl, [saying], How is it broken down! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him.
Ver. 39. How hath Moab turned the back with shame? ] Heb., Neck.
“ Submisit tristi colla superba iugo. ”
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
How is it: Jer 48:17, Lam 1:1, Lam 2:1, Lam 4:1, Rev 18:9, Rev 18:10, Rev 18:15, Rev 18:16
back: Heb. neck
a derision: Jer 48:26, Jer 48:27, Isa 20:4-6, Eze 26:16-18
Reciprocal: Isa 15:2 – Moab Isa 15:3 – on the Jer 47:2 – then the Jer 48:13 – ashamed Jer 49:25 – General Jer 49:37 – to be
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 48:39. They shall howl means that others shall express themselves at the shameful condition that wras to come on the land of Moab. The significance of it is in the fact of the situations being so evident that others would realize it and make remarks.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
The nation would suffer defeat, the people would lament, the inhabitants would repent out of shame, and the kingdom would become an object of ridicule and a fearful prospect for onlookers.