Jeremiah 48

1 Concerning Moab [a land descended from Lot], this is what the LORD [Yehovah, the God of Israel] of Hosts [armies, heavenly forces], the God [Elohim, supreme deity] of Israel, says: “Woe [a cry of sorrow, a lament] to Nebo [a mountain, a place of idolatry], for it will be devastated [ruined, laid waste]. Kiriathaim [two cities, a double city] will be captured [seized, taken control of] and disgraced [ashamed, humiliated]; the fortress [high refuge, strong tower] will be shattered [broken, demolished] and dismantled [torn down, destroyed]. word study 2 There is no longer [will be no more, has come to an end] praise [a song of praise] for Moab [the land and descendants of Lot]; in Heshbon [a city east of the Jordan River] they devise [plot, plan] evil [moral or natural harm] against her: ‘Come [let us go], let us cut her off [destroy, eliminate] from nationhood [being a Gentile, a large group of people].’ You too, O people of Madmen [a place in Palestine], will be silenced [brought to silence, stopped from speaking]; the sword [a cutting instrument, a tool for war] will pursue [follow, chase] you. word study 3 A voice [sound of a cry] cries out from Horonaim [two caves, a place in Moab]: ‘Devastation [desolation, violence] and great [significant, of large importance] destruction [shattering, breaking]!’ word study 4 Moab [will be utterly destroyed, ruined] will be shattered [broken, smashed]; her little ones [young, insignificant, helpless] will cry out [with a loud outcry, in distress, with a shriek]. word study 5 For on the ascent [upward movement, climbing] to Luhith [a place in Moab, meaning tablets] they weep [with overflowing tears, crying] bitterly [with intense sorrow] as they go, and on the descent [downward slope, steep place] to Horonaim [a place in Moab, meaning two caves] cries of distress [a cry of destruction, a loud lament] resound [are heard, echo] over the destruction [breaking, shattering, a state of devastation]: word study 6 ‘Flee [save your lives, escape]! Run for your lives [soul, living being]! Become like a juniper [heath, scrawny tamarisk tree] in the desert [wilderness, open field]. ’ word study 7 Because [since, for the reason that] you trust [have confidence, rely] in your works [deeds, actions] and treasures [riches, wealth], you too [also, even] will be captured [taken, seized], and Chemosh [the Moabite God, national deity] will go into exile [captivity, banishment] with his priests [spiritual leaders, officials] and officials [rulers, princes]. word study 8 The destroyer [spoiler, one who ruins] will move against every city [town, settlement], and not one town [city, settlement] will escape [be delivered, slip away to safety]. The valley [lowland area, geographical region] will also be ruined [perish, destroyed], and the high plain [level area, uprightness] will be destroyed [desolated, devastated], as the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] has said [spoken, commanded]. word study 9 Put salt [to utterly destroy] on Moab [the land of Lot’s descendants], for she will be laid waste [become a desolate ruin]; her cities [towns, populated areas] will become desolate [a horror, a waste], with no one [nothing, an absence of inhabitants] to dwell [to sit, to remain] in them [the cities, the towns]. word study 10 Cursed [to be utterly doomed, under divine judgment] is the one who is remiss [negligent, doing the work deceitfully] in doing the work [labor, service] of the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God], and cursed [to be under a divine curse] is he who withholds [keeps back, refrains from] his sword [cutting instrument, weapon] from bloodshed. word study 11 Moab has been at ease [in a state of security, from his youth] from youth, settled [resting, at peace] like wine on its dregs [lees, sediment]; he has not been poured [emptied, transferred] from vessel to vessel or gone into exile [captivity, a state of being taken away]. So his flavor [taste, character] has remained the same, and his aroma [scent, fragrance] is unchanged [not altered, still intact]. word study 12 Therefore [thus, in agreement] behold [look, take notice], the days [a period of time, an era] are coming [approaching, drawing near], declares [utters, speaks forth] the LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God], when I will send [dispatch, commission] to him wanderers [those who march or tip over, invaders], who will pour him out [empty, drain]. They will empty [pour out, drain completely] his vessels [articles, utensils] and shatter [break, scatter] his jars [bags, skin-bottles]. word study 13 Then Moab [the land and descendants of Lot] will be ashamed [feel guilty, disappointed] of Chemosh [their national deity, God of the Moabites], just as the house [family, descendants] of Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob, his descendants] was ashamed [felt guilty, let down] when they trusted [put confidence, relied] in Bethel [the house of God, a place of worship] [their confidence, refuge]. word study 14 How [in what way] can you say [declare, express], ‘We [emphatically] are warriors, mighty men [strong, valiant] ready for battle’? word study 15 Moab [has been utterly devastated, laid waste] has been destroyed [spoiled, ruined] and its towns [cities, settlements] have been invaded [gone up, conquered]; the best [choicest, most select] of its young men [youth, chosen ones] have gone down [descended, fallen] in the slaughter [place of butchery, meat], declares the King [Ruler, Sovereign], whose name [identity, character] is the LORD [Yehovah] of Hosts [armies, heavenly forces]. word study 16 Moab’s [the land and descendants of Lot] calamity [destruction, disaster, or oppression] is at hand [near, close, or imminent], and his affliction [trouble, adversity, or distress] is rushing [hastening, coming swiftly, or hurrying] swiftly [very quickly, exceedingly fast]. word study 17 Mourn [bemoan, give signs of grief] for him, all you who surround [are round about] him, everyone who knows [is acquainted with] his name [reputation, identity]; tell [say, declare] how the mighty [strong, powerful] scepter [staff, rod of authority] is shattered [broken, ruptured]— the glorious [beautiful, lovely] staff [rod]! word study 18 Come down [from your lofty position] from your glory [great honor, splendor]; sit [dwell, remain] on parched ground [in thirst, barren land], O daughter [female child, woman] dwelling [inhabiting, living] in Dibon [a town in Moab], for the destroyer [one who ruins, devastates] of Moab [the land and descendants of Lot’s son] has come [ascended, risen] against you; he has destroyed [ruined, corrupted] your fortresses [strongholds, fortified places]. word study 19 Stand [take your station, be watchful] by the road [way, path] and watch [observe, be vigilant], O dweller [inhabitant, resident] of Aroer [ruins, a place of desolation]! Ask [inquire, seek information from] the man [one who is fleeing] fleeing [running away, escaping] or the woman [one who has escaped] escaping [slipping away to safety], ‘What [how, in what manner] has happened [occurred, come to pass]?’ word study 20 Moab [is utterly humiliated] is put to shame, for [it has been completely shattered, broken down] it has been shattered. Wail [with loud lamentation] and cry out [for help, in distress]! Declare [publicly, with a loud voice] by the Arnon [river, border of Moab] that Moab [the land and its people] is destroyed [ruined, laid waste]. word study 21 Judgment [punishment, justice] has come [arrived, is come] upon the high plain [plain country, level area]— upon Holon [a city in Moab], Jahzah [a place east of the Jordan], and Mephaath [a city in the district of the Mishor], word study 22 upon [on or above] Dibon [a town in Moab], Nebo [a mountain where Moses died], and Beth-diblathaim [house of the two fig-cakes, Almon-diblathaim], word study 23 upon [or against, and] Kiriathaim [two cities], Beth-gamul [house of recompense], and [also on] Beth-meon [house of Meon], word study 24 upon Kerioth [a city in Moab], Bozrah [a town in Edom, a sheepfold or fortress], and all [everything, the entirety] the towns [cities, places of settlement] of Moab [the land and descendants of Lot], those [places] far [distant, remote] and near [close, adjacent]. word study 25 The horn [a horn; a hill or peak] of Moab [the land and descendants of Lot] has been cut off [completely destroyed, severed], and his arm [the arm as stretched out; strength, might, power] is broken [shattered, rendered powerless],” declares [utters, speaks forth] the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God]. word study 26 “Make him [completely intoxicated] drunk, because he has magnified [exalted, lifted up] himself against the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God]; so Moab [the people and land of Moab] will wallow [roll, stumble] in his own vomit [filth, disgusting refuse], and he will also become [be, exist as] a laughingstock [object of mockery, scorn, derision]. word study 27 Was not Israel your object of ridicule [a derision, an object of scorn]? Was he ever found [in the company of lawbreakers] among thieves? For whenever you speak of him [with contempt, shaking your head] you shake your head [in mockery, with scorn]. word study 28 Abandon [leave, forsake] the towns [cities, settlements] and settle [dwell, reside] among the rocks [craggy cliffs, strongholds], O dwellers [inhabitants, residents] of Moab [the land of the descendants of Lot]! Be like [similar to, comparable with] a dove [a dove or pigeon] that nests [makes its home, takes refuge] at the mouth [edge, entrance] of a cave [a pit, a hole in the rock]. word study 29 We have heard [learned, been informed] of Moab’s [the land and descendants of Lot’s son] pomposity [excessive pride, arrogance], his exceeding [very great, exceedingly proud] pride [haughtiness, lofty attitude] and conceit [self-importance, arrogance], his proud [lofty, elevated] arrogance [haughtiness, pride] and haughtiness [loftiness, high-mindedness] of heart [the seat of emotions, will, and intellect]. word study 30 I know [know intimately, am thoroughly acquainted with] his insolence [wrath, fury, or rage],” declares the LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God], “but it is [proves to be, amounts to] futile [nothing, of no effect]. His boasting [lies, empty talk, or bragging] is as empty [hollow, without substance] as his deeds [actions, or accomplishments]. word study 31 Therefore [so, thus] I will wail [to howl, mourn loudly] for Moab [the land and descendants of Lot]; I will cry out [to lament, mourn publicly] for all [everything, the whole] of Moab; I will moan [to mutter, ponder sorrowfully] for the men [individuals, people] of Kir-heres [the wall of potsherds, a chief stronghold]. word study 32 I will weep [with intense sorrow, mourn deeply] for you, O vine [a grapevine] of Sibmah, more than I weep [lament, cry out] for Jazer [a city east of the Jordan]. Your tendrils [long, thin branches] have extended [stretched, crossed over] to the sea [a large body of water, the Mediterranean]; they reach [touch, come to] even to Jazer [a city originally Amorite]. The destroyer [one who ruins, devastates] has descended [fallen, come down] on your summer fruit [harvest, seasonal produce] and grape harvest [vintage, time of gathering]. word study 33 Joy [gladness, rejoicing] and gladness [happiness, celebration] are removed from the orchard [plantation, fertile land] and from the fields [plentiful field, fruitful land] of Moab [the land of the descendants of Lot]. I have stopped [caused to cease, brought to an end] the flow of wine [fermented wine, intoxicating drink] from the presses [wine vats, winepresses]; no one treads [walks on, steps on] them with shouts [loud cheers, joyful acclaim] of joy [gladness, triumph]; their shouts [cheers, cries] are not for joy [happiness, celebration]. word study 34 There is a cry [outcry, loud shriek] from Heshbon [a city east of the Jordan River] to Elealeh [a village of the Reubenites]; they raise their voices [to give a loud sound] to Jahaz [a place of Israel’s victory], from Zoar [a city near the Dead Sea] to Horonaim [a place in Moab, meaning two caves] and Eglath-shelishiyah [a place near Zoar]; for even the waters [source of refreshment] of Nimrim [a place east of the Jordan, likely named for its pure stream] have dried up [become desolate, devastated]. word study 35 In Moab [the land of the descendants of Lot], declares the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], I will bring an end [cause to cease, put a stop to] to those who make offerings [sacrifices, burnt offerings] on the high places [cultic platforms, elevations] and burn incense [offer fragrant smoke] to their gods [Elohim, idols, false deities]. word study 36 Therefore My heart [the seat of emotions, intellect, and will] laments [mourns, sounds a lamentation] like a flute [a musical instrument, a pipe] for Moab [a nation descended from Lot]; it laments [expresses sorrow, mourns] like a flute for the men [people, inhabitants] of Kir-heres [a city, a stronghold], because the wealth [abundance, riches] they acquired [gained, obtained] has perished [been destroyed, come to an end]. word study 37 For every head [completely bald, shaved] is shaved and every beard [trimmed, clipped] is clipped; on every hand [open hand] is a gash [cutting, wound], and around every waist [loins, small of the back] is sackcloth [coarse cloth]. word study 38 On [all the housetops, every roof] all the rooftops of Moab [the land and descendants of Lot] and in the [streets, broad-places] public squares, everyone [all of it, every person] is mourning [lamenting, weeping]; for I have shattered [broken, smashed] Moab like [as] an unwanted [unpleasant, useless] jar [vessel, utensil],” declares [says, utters] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]. word study 39 “How [in what manner, to what extent] shattered [completely broken, dismayed] it is! How [in what manner, to what extent] they wail [cry out in sorrow, mourn]! How [in what manner, to what extent] Moab [the land and descendants of Lot’s son] has turned [faced away, retreated in shame] his back [neck, in defeat] in shame [with guilt, humiliation]! Moab [the nation, its people] has become [been made, is now] an object of ridicule [laughter, mockery] and horror [terror, dismay] to all [every one, everything] those around [surrounding, neighboring] him.” word study 40 For [because of this reason] this is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] says: “Behold [look, take notice], an eagle [a large bird of prey] swoops down [flies swiftly, darting through the air] and spreads [stretches out, breaks apart] his wings [the extremity of a bird, used for flying] against [toward, in the direction of] Moab [the land and descendants of Lot]. word study 41 Kirioth [Kerioth, a city in Moab] has been taken [captured, seized], and the strongholds [fortresses, fortified cities] seized [surprised, caught]. In that day [at that time, in the future] the heart [feelings, will, intellect] of Moab’s [the land and descendants of Lot] warriors [mighty men, strong fighters] will be like [similar to, comparable with] the heart [emotions, inner being] of a woman [female, lady] in labor [travail, childbirth pangs, distress]. word study 42 Moab [a nation descended from Lot] will be destroyed [to desolate, annihilate] as a nation [people, community] because he vaunted [magnified, lifted up] himself [his pride, his power] against the LORD [Yehovah, the divine Ruler]. word study 43 Terror [fear, dread] and pit [trap, snare] and snare [gin, net] await you, O dweller [inhabitant, resident] of Moab [the land of Lot’s descendants],” declares [utters, speaks] the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God]. word study 44 “Whoever flees [in terror, from the fear] the panic [dread, sudden fright] will fall [be thrown down, come to a disastrous end] into the pit [a deep hole, a trap], and whoever climbs [ascends, rises] from the pit [a deep hole, a trap] will be caught [seized, taken] in the snare [a thin, flat piece of metal, a net]. For [because, since] I will bring [cause to come, inflict] upon Moab [the land and descendants of Lot] the year [a period of time, a season] of their punishment [visitation, official oversight],” declares [utters, speaks] the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God]. word study 45 “Those who flee [in panic, to escape] will stand helpless [without strength, powerless] in Heshbon’s [the city of Sihon, a place of refuge] shadow [protection, shade], because fire [burning, flame] has gone forth from Heshbon and a flame [burning intensely, consuming] from within Sihon [the Amorite king’s domain]. It devours [consumes, eats away] the foreheads [the prominent part, the crown] of Moab [the nation, the people] and the skulls [the crown of the head, the top] of the sons [descendants, children] of tumult [uproar, noisy boastfulness]. word study 46 Woe [alas, oh no] to you, O Moab [the land and descendants of Lot]! The people [nation, community] of Chemosh [the Moabite God] have perished [been destroyed, undone]; for your sons [male descendants, children] have been taken [captured, led away] into exile [a state of captivity, banishment] and your daughters [female descendants, children] have gone into captivity [a state of being held prisoner, bondage]. word study 47 Yet in the latter days [in the future, at the end of time] I will restore [bring back, reverse the captivity of] Moab [the land and descendants of Lot] from captivity [being held prisoner, exile], ” declares [says, utters] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]. Here [at this point, thus] ends [concludes, finishes] the judgment [justice] on Moab [the land and its people]. word study