Jeremiah 48:17. How is the strong staff broken— How is the powerful rod, the glorious sceptre broken! The Moabites were remarkable for their pride and vanity; of which Jeremiah speaks in the 29th verse. read more
17. bemoan—Not that Moab deserves pity, but this mode of expression pictures more vividly the grievousness of Moab's calamities. all ye that know his name—those at a greater distance whom the fame of Moab's "name" had reached, as distinguished from those "about him," that is, near. strong staff . . . rod—Moab is so called as striking terror into and oppressing other peoples (Isaiah 9:4; Isaiah 14:4; Isaiah 14:5); also because of its dignity and power (Psalms 110:2; Zechariah 11:7). read more
2. The complacency of Moab 48:11-17The emphasis in the next section of the oracle is on the end of Moab’s complacency. read more
Moab’s destruction would come soon, so all her neighbor nations should mourn her destruction (cf. Deuteronomy 32:35). They should bewail the fall of such a strong and splendid rule. read more
Against MoabMoab, in recompense for its pride and security, and for its triumphing over Israel in the day of her calamity, shall itself be laid waste and taken captive: cp. the ’burden of Moab ’in Isaiah 15, 16.1. Nebo] not the mountain, but the Reubenite town (Numbers 32:38), which had been annexed by Mesha, king of Moab (about 895 b.c.), according to the ’Moabite Stone ’records. Several places mentioned in this chapter have not been certainly identified. 2. Heshbon] an Ammonite town on the... read more
(14-17) How say ye . . .—In the boast that follows we trace the characteristic pride of Moab. The prophet points to the fact that the pride is brought low. She, too, is subject, like other nations, to invasion and defeat. He summons her people to wail for her overthrow. The “staff” is the sceptre of the ruler, as in Psalms 110:2. The “rod” is the stick with which a man walks (Genesis 32:10; Exodus 12:11), but which may also be used as a weapon. The epithet “beautiful” perhaps points to the... read more
CHAPTER XIXMOABJeremiah 48:1-47"Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against Jehovah."- Jeremiah 48:42"Chemosh said to me, Go, take Nebo against Israeland I took itand I took from it the vessels of Jehovah, and offered them before Chemosh."-MOABITE STONE."Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days."- Jeremiah 48:47THE prophets show a very keen interest in Moab. With the exception of the very short Book of Joel, all the prophets who... read more
CHAPTER 48 Concerning Moab 1. The overthrow of Moab (Jeremiah 48:1-10 ) 2. The humiliation of Moab (Jeremiah 48:11-19 ) 3. Reaping what they sowed (Jeremiah 48:20-28 ) 4. Destroyed on account of its pride (Jeremiah 48:29-47 ) With these divisions the chapter may be studied in detail. Moab was of incestuous off spring Genesis 19:37 . Israel is now exhorted to flee and save itself because Moab is to be destroyed. Moab’s national deity was Chemosh, who was also worshipped by the sister... read more
48:17 All ye that are about him, bemoan him; and all ye that know his name, say, {l} How is the strong staff broken, [and] the beautiful rod!(l) How are they destroyed that put their trust in their strength and riches? read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 48:1-47
A message concerning Moab (48:1-47)Moab was one nation that tried to form an alliance with Judah against Babylon (see 27:1-3). Moab will now suffer Babylon’s anger. Jeremiah pictures the scene: the land devastated, fortresses smashed, cities destroyed, people crying out in distress, refugees fleeing from the invading armies (48:1-6).Chemosh, Moab’s national god, cannot save the nation. Rather, it will be taken into captivity along with Moab’s civil and religious leaders. The towns of Moab will... read more