These verses are an expansion of Isaiah 16:6 . The boastfulness of Moab seems to have much impressed its Israelitish neighbours (comp. Isaiah 16:14 , 27). It has been thought to be illustrated by the inscription on the Moabite Stone; but we must remember that all national monuments of this sort have a tendency to exaggeration. read more
But it shall not be so, etc. This is a case in which the accentuation must most decidedly be deviated from; it implies a faulty view of the word rendered in the Authorized Version, "his lies." But the rendering of our version is neither in itself tenable nor is it that intended by the accentuation. The rendering suggested by the latter is "his praters" ( i.e. soothsayers), as the word, no doubt, must be taken in Jeremiah 1:1-19 :36; Isaiah 44:25 . But it is much more natural to render... read more
Based upon Isaiah 16:7 . Therefore . Moab cannot escape the catastrophe, for his moral basis is utterly insecure. "Therefore," etc. Will I howl. It is at first sight strange that the prophet should speak thus sympathetically after the strong language in verse 26. But the fact is that an inspired prophet has, as it were, a double personality. Sometimes his human feelings seem quite lost in the consciousness of his message; sometimes (and especially in Jeremiah) the natural, emotional life... read more
Shortened from Isaiah 16:8 , Isaiah 16:9 . With the weeping of Jaser; rather, more than the weeping of Jazer. This may mean either "more than I weep for Jazer" (which is favoured by the insertion of "for thee") or more than Jazer weeps" (for the devastated vineyards of Sibmah); comp. Isaiah, l.c. The site of Jazer is placed by Seetzen between Ramoth (Salt) and Heshbon, where some ruins called Sir are now found. "Sibmah," according to St. Jerome, was not more than half a mile from... read more
But it shall not be so - Most commentators translate, “I know, saith Jehovah, his arrogancy, and the emptiness of his boastings; they have worked emptiness.” read more
Mine heart ... - Rather, “there shall be mourning for” etc. read more
Or, “More than the weeping of Jazer” over its ruined vineyards “will I weep for thee, O vine of Sibmah.” Compare the marginal reference. Jazer lies in an upland valley about 15 miles north of Heshbon.Thy plants ... - “Thy branches are gone over the sea, i. e.” the power of Moab is felt even on the western side of the Dead Sea; “they reached etc.” read more
Jeremiah 48:29 ; Jeremiah 48:39. We have heard the pride of Moab The several synonymous terms made use of in this verse are meant to express the great pride and insolence of Moab. Though some of these terms are not found in the parallel passage, (Isaiah 16:6,) yet in the main they agree therewith; and “while they describe the overweening pride and haughtiness of Moab, and the intemperance of his rage, they intimate the small pretensions he had for such high assuming, either in respect of... read more
Jeremiah 48:31-33. Therefore will I howl for Moab See note on Isaiah 15:5. I will cry out for all Moab The whole country of Moab: the phrase is the same with whole Palestina, Isaiah 14:31. For the men of Kirheres See note on Isaiah 16:7; Isaiah 16:11. O vine of Sibmah The expressions here denote the destruction of the fruitful vineyards of Sibmah; the loss of which the neighbouring places of Jazer would have reason to lament. Thy plants are gone over the sea The vineyards of Sibmah... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 48:26-35
And what is Moab's crime? At an earlier point the prophet said that it was the callousness produced by long prosperity ( Jeremiah 48:11 ); but here another sin is mentioned—Moab's haughty contempt of Jehovah. "For this it deserves that its contempt should be thrown back upon itself, by its being made, like a drunken man, the scorn of all" (Ewald). The figure is, no doubt, a coarse one, but not unnatural in the oratory (we must put aside inspiration, which leaves the forms of speech... read more