Jeremiah 49:3
Jeremiah 49:3 in Multiple Translations
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.
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.
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.
Make sounds of grief, O Heshbon, for Ai is wasted; give loud cries, O daughters of Rabbah, and put haircloth round you: give yourselves to weeping, running here and there and wounding yourselves; for Milcom will be taken prisoner together with his rulers and his priests.
Weep, people of Heshbon, for the town of Ai has been destroyed. Cry for help, people of Rabbah! Put on clothes made of sackcloth and start mourning; run to and fro inside your city walls, because your god Milcom will go into exile along with his priests and leaders.
Howle, O Heshbon, for Ai is wasted: crie ye daughters of Rabbah: girde you with sackecloth: mourne and runne to and from by the hedges: for their King shall goe into captiuitie; and his Priestes, and his princes likewise.
Howl, Heshbon, for spoiled is Ai, Cry, daughters of Rabbah, gird on sackcloth, Lament, and go to and fro by the hedges, For Malcam into captivity doth go, His priests and his princes together.
“Wail, Heshbon, for Ai is laid waste! Cry, you daughters of Rabbah! Clothe yourself in sackcloth. Lament, and run back and forth among the fences; for Malcam will go into captivity, his priests and his princes together.
Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is laid waste: 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, O Hesebon, for Hai is wasted. Cry, ye daughters of Rabbath, gird yourselves with haircloth: mourn and go about by the hedges: for Melchom shall be carried into captivity, his priests, and his princes together.
You people of Heshbon city [MTY], wail, because Ai town nearby will be destroyed. You people of Rabbah city, weep; put on ◄rough clothing/sackcloth► to show you are mourning; run back and forth in confusion inside the city walls, because your god Milcom, along with its priests and officials, will be taken away ◄in exile/to other countries►.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 49:3
BAB
Word Study
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Jeremiah 49:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הֵילִ֨ילִי
חֶשְׁבּ֜וֹן
כִּ֣י
שֻׁדְּדָה
עַ֗י
צְעַקְנָה֮
בְּנ֣וֹת
רַבָּה֒
חֲגֹ֣רְנָה
שַׂקִּ֔ים
סְפֹ֕דְנָה
וְ/הִתְשׁוֹטַ֖טְנָה
בַּ/גְּדֵר֑וֹת
כִּ֤י
מַלְכָּ/ם֙
בַּ/גּוֹלָ֣ה
יֵלֵ֔ךְ
כֹּהֲנָ֥י/ו
וְ/שָׂרָ֖י/ו
יַחְדָּֽיו
הֵילִ֨ילִי
yâlal
H3213
to wail
V-Hiphil-Impv-2fs
חֶשְׁבּ֜וֹן
Cheshbôwn
H2809
Heshbon
N-proper
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
שֻׁדְּדָה
shâdad
H7703
to ruin
V-Pual-Perf-3fs
עַ֗י
ʻAy
H5857
Ai
N-proper
צְעַקְנָה֮
tsâʻaq
H6817
to cry
V-Qal-Impv-2fp
בְּנ֣וֹת
bath
H1323
Bath (Shua)
N-fp
רַבָּה֒
Rabbâh
H7237
Rabbah
N-proper
חֲגֹ֣רְנָה
châgar
H2296
to gird
V-Qal-Impv-2fp
שַׂקִּ֔ים
saq
H8242
sackcloth
N-mp
סְפֹ֕דְנָה
çâphad
H5594
to mourn
V-Qal-Impv-2fp
וְ/הִתְשׁוֹטַ֖טְנָה
shûwṭ
H7751
to rove
Conj | V-r-Impv-2fp
בַּ/גְּדֵר֑וֹת
gᵉdêrâh
H1448
wall
Prep | N-fp
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
מַלְכָּ/ם֙
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms | Suff
בַּ/גּוֹלָ֣ה
gôwlâh
H1473
captivity
Prep | N-fs
יֵלֵ֔ךְ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
כֹּהֲנָ֥י/ו
kôhên
H3548
priest
N-mp | Suff
וְ/שָׂרָ֖י/ו
sar
H8269
ruler
Conj | N-mp | Suff
יַחְדָּֽיו
yachad
H3162
unitedness
Adv
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 49:3
הֵילִ֨ילִי
yâlal
H3213
"to wail"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2fs
This word means to wail or howl, expressing strong emotions like sadness or pain, used to describe a loud, mournful cry.
Definition: (Hiphil) to howl, wail, make a howling
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: (make to) howl, be howling. See also: Isaiah 13:6; Jeremiah 48:31; Isaiah 14:31.
חֶשְׁבּ֜וֹן
Cheshbôwn
H2809
"Heshbon"
N-proper
Heshbon was a city east of the Jordan River, serving as the capital of the Amorites under King Sihon, and later becoming part of the tribes of Reuben and Gad.
Definition: § Heshbon = "stronghold" the capital city of Sihon, king of the Amorites, located on the western border of the high plain and on the border line between the tribes of Reuben and Gad
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: Heshbon. See also: Numbers 21:25; Joshua 12:5; Isaiah 15:4.
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
שֻׁדְּדָה
shâdad
H7703
"to ruin"
V-Pual-Perf-3fs
To ruin or devastate is the meaning of this word, often used to describe the powerful and destructive actions of God or human enemies, as seen in the conquest of Canaan. It can also mean to be powerful or impregnable, as in the case of the strongholds of David. This concept is explored in the book of Psalms.
Definition: 1) to deal violently with, despoil, devastate, ruin, destroy, spoil 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to violently destroy, devastate, despoil, assail 1a2) devastator, despoiler (participle) (subst) 1b) (Niphal) to be utterly ruined 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to assault 1c2) to devastate 1d) (Pual) to be devastated 1e) (Poel) to violently destroy 1f) (Hophal) to be devastated Also means: shud (שׁוּד "to waste" H7736)
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: dead, destroy(-er), oppress, robber, spoil(-er), [idiom] utterly, (lay) waste. See also: Judges 5:27; Jeremiah 25:36; Psalms 17:9.
עַ֗י
ʻAy
H5857
"Ai"
N-proper
Ai means 'heap of ruins', a city in Palestine east of the Jordan River, mentioned in the Bible as part of the Ammonites' territory. It appears in the book of Joshua and is associated with Heshbon. The city's name reflects its history of destruction.
Definition: § Ai or Aija or Aiath or Hai = "heap of ruins" a city of the Ammonites on the east of the Jordan and apparently attached to Heshbon
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: Ai, Aija, Aijath, Hai. See also: Genesis 12:8; Joshua 8:20; Isaiah 10:28.
צְעַקְנָה֮
tsâʻaq
H6817
"to cry"
V-Qal-Impv-2fp
To cry or cry out is the meaning of this verb, often used to express distress or need, as seen in the Psalms where people cry out to God for help.
Definition: 1) to cry, cry out, call, cry for help 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cry, cry out (for help) 1a2) to cry, cry out (in distress or need) 1a3) to make outcry, clamour 1b) (Niphal) to be summoned 1c) (Piel) to cry aloud (in grief) 1d) (Hiphil) to call together
Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, call together, cry (out), gather (selves) (together). See also: Genesis 4:10; 1 Samuel 13:4; Psalms 34:18.
בְּנ֣וֹת
bath
H1323
"Bath (Shua)"
N-fp
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.
רַבָּה֒
Rabbâh
H7237
"Rabbah"
N-proper
Rabbah is a place name in the Bible, referring to two cities in Palestine. It means great and is used to describe the capital city of the Ammonites, located east of the Jordan River. The KJV translates it as Rabbah or Rabbath.
Definition: Rabbath = "great" the capital city of the Ammonites located east of the Jordan Another name of am.mon (עַמּוֹן "Ammon" H5983)
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: Rabbah, Rabbath. See also: Deuteronomy 3:11; 2 Samuel 17:27; Jeremiah 49:2.
חֲגֹ֣רְנָה
châgar
H2296
"to gird"
V-Qal-Impv-2fp
The Hebrew word chagar means to gird or put on a belt, and is used to describe preparing for battle or work, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to gird, gird on, gird oneself, put on a belt 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to gird 1a2) to gird on, bind on 1a3) to gird oneself
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: be able to put on, be afraid, appointed, gird, restrain, [idiom] on every side. See also: Exodus 12:11; 2 Kings 3:21; Psalms 45:4.
שַׂקִּ֔ים
saq
H8242
"sackcloth"
N-mp
This term refers to a coarse cloth or sack used for mourning or carrying grain. People wore sackcloth to show humility or grief, like in the book of Esther. It symbolized repentance and sorrow.
Definition: 1) mesh, sackcloth, sack, sacking 1a) sack (for grain) 1b) sackcloth 1b1) worn in mourning or humiliation 1b2) same material spread out to lie on
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: sack(-cloth, -clothes). See also: Genesis 37:34; Psalms 69:12; Psalms 30:12.
סְפֹ֕דְנָה
çâphad
H5594
"to mourn"
V-Qal-Impv-2fp
This Hebrew verb means to mourn or lament, often by tearing hair and beating breasts. It involves expressing deep sadness or grief, like wailing or lamenting. The KJV translates it as lament or mourn.
Definition: 1) to wail, lament, mourn 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to wail, lament 1a2) wailers (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be lamented, be bewailed
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: lament, mourn(-er), wail. See also: Genesis 23:2; Jeremiah 16:4; Isaiah 32:12.
וְ/הִתְשׁוֹטַ֖טְנָה
shûwṭ
H7751
"to rove"
Conj | V-r-Impv-2fp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to row a boat or travel by sea, like the mariners in Psalm 107:23. It involves pushing forth with oars. The KJV translates it as 'go' or 'row' in different contexts.
Definition: 1) to go, go or rove about, go to and fro 1a) (Qal) to go or rove about 1b) (Polel) to go to and fro, go eagerly or quickly to and fro 1c) (Hithpolel) to run to and fro
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: go (about, through, to and fro), mariner, rower, run to and fro. See also: Numbers 11:8; Jeremiah 5:1; Jeremiah 49:3.
בַּ/גְּדֵר֑וֹת
gᵉdêrâh
H1448
"wall"
Prep | N-fp
This word means a wall or enclosure, especially for flocks, and is translated as sheepfold or hedge in the Bible, often referring to a place where sheep are kept.
Definition: 1) wall, hedge 2) sheepfold (construct with 'sheep')
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: (sheep-) cote (fold) hedge, wall. See also: Numbers 32:16; Psalms 89:41; Jeremiah 49:3.
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
מַלְכָּ/ם֙
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms | Suff
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
בַּ/גּוֹלָ֣ה
gôwlâh
H1473
"captivity"
Prep | N-fs
This word means being taken captive or exile, like when Israel was carried away to Babylon. It refers to a group of people forced to leave their homes. In the Bible, it appears in 2 Kings 25:21.
Definition: 1) exiles, exile, captivity 1a) exiles (coll) 1b) exile, captivity (abstract)
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: (carried away), captive(-ity), removing. See also: 2 Kings 24:14; Jeremiah 29:16; Jeremiah 28:6.
יֵלֵ֔ךְ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
כֹּהֲנָ֥י/ו
kôhên
H3548
"priest"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Definition: 1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler 1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah) 1b) pagan priests 1c) priests of Jehovah 1d) Levitical priests 1e) Zadokite priests 1f) Aaronic priests 1g) the high priest Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.
וְ/שָׂרָ֖י/ו
sar
H8269
"ruler"
Conj | N-mp | Suff
A leader or person in charge, like a prince or captain, as seen in the Bible with King David and other rulers.
Definition: 1) prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain 1a) chieftain, leader 1b) vassal, noble, official (under king) 1c) captain, general, commander (military) 1d) chief, head, overseer (of other official classes) 1e) heads, princes (of religious office) 1f) elders (of representative leaders of people) 1g) merchant-princes (of rank and dignity) 1h) patron-angel 1i) Ruler of rulers (of God) 1j) warden
Usage: Occurs in 368 OT verses. KJV: captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward. See also: Genesis 12:15; 1 Kings 22:32; 2 Chronicles 32:21.
יַחְדָּֽיו
yachad
H3162
"unitedness"
Adv
This adverb means together, describing people doing something in unity, like in Psalm 133:1.
Definition: 1) union, unitedness
Usage: Occurs in 139 OT verses. KJV: alike, at all (once), both, likewise, only, (al-) together, withal. See also: Genesis 13:6; Psalms 62:10; Psalms 2:2.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 49:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 49:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 49:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 49:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 49:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 49:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 49:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 49:3
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 49:3
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 49:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 49:3
- Sermons on Jeremiah 49:3
Context — Judgment on the Ammonites
1Concerning the Ammonites, this is what the LORD says: “Has Israel no sons? Is he without heir? Why then has Milcom taken possession of Gad? Why have his people settled in their cities?
2Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will sound the battle cry against Rabbah of the Ammonites. It will become a heap of ruins, and its villages will be burned. Then Israel will drive out their dispossessors, says the LORD.
3Wail, 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.
4Why do you boast of your valleys— your valleys so fruitful, O faithless daughter? You trust in your riches and say, ‘Who can come against me?’ 5Behold, I am about to bring terror upon you, declares the Lord GOD of Hosts, from all those around you. You will each be driven headlong, with no one to regather the fugitives.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 48:7 | Because you trust in your works and treasures, you too will be captured, and Chemosh will go into exile with his priests and officials. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 48:37 | For every head is shaved and every beard is clipped; on every hand is a gash, and around every waist is sackcloth. |
| 3 | Isaiah 15:2 | Dibon goes up to its temple to weep at its high places. Moab wails over Nebo, as well as over Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off. |
| 4 | 2 Kings 23:13 | The king also desecrated the high places east of Jerusalem, to the south of the Mount of Corruption, which King Solomon of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. |
| 5 | 1 Kings 11:5 | Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 4:8 | So put on sackcloth, mourn and wail, for the fierce anger of the LORD has not turned away from us.” |
| 7 | Jeremiah 46:25 | The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I am about to punish Amon god of Thebes, along with Pharaoh, Egypt with her gods and kings, and those who trust in Pharaoh. |
| 8 | 1 Kings 11:33 | For they have forsaken Me to worship Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites. They have not walked in My ways, nor done what is right in My eyes, nor kept My statutes and judgments, as Solomon’s father David did. |
| 9 | Isaiah 13:6 | Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty. |
| 10 | Jeremiah 6:26 | O daughter of my people, dress yourselves in sackcloth and roll in ashes. Mourn with bitter wailing, as you would for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us. |
Jeremiah 49:3 Summary
[Jeremiah 49:3 is a call to mourning and repentance for the cities of Heshbon and Rabbah, as they face God's judgment for their sins, as seen in Jeremiah 49:2, where God declares that He will sound the battle cry against Rabbah of the Ammonites. The destruction of Ai is a warning sign that God's judgment is near, and the people are called to put on sackcloth and mourn. This is a reminder that God is sovereign over all nations, as seen in Daniel 4:25, and that He will judge all people for their sins. As we read this verse, we can reflect on our own lives and consider how we can turn to God in repentance and trust in His sovereignty, as seen in Psalm 103:19.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Ai being destroyed in Jeremiah 49:3?
The destruction of Ai is a call to mourning for the cities of Heshbon and Rabbah, as it signifies the coming judgment of God upon the Ammonites, as seen in Jeremiah 49:2, where God declares that He will sound the battle cry against Rabbah of the Ammonites.
Who is Milcom and why is he going into exile in Jeremiah 49:3?
Milcom is the god of the Ammonites, and his going into exile along with his priests and officials signifies the defeat of the Ammonite nation and the failure of their false god to protect them, as also seen in Jeremiah 48:7, where the Moabites' trust in their god Chemosh is also shown to be futile.
What is the significance of the daughters of Rabbah putting on sackcloth and mourning in Jeremiah 49:3?
The daughters of Rabbah putting on sackcloth and mourning is a sign of repentance and grief, as seen in other parts of the Bible, such as Job 16:15, where Job mourns and wears sackcloth in a time of great suffering and loss.
How does Jeremiah 49:3 relate to the broader context of God's judgment on the nations?
Jeremiah 49:3 is part of a larger section of the book of Jeremiah that prophesies God's judgment on various nations, including the Ammonites, as seen in Jeremiah 49:1-6, and is a fulfillment of God's warnings to the nations in Jeremiah 25:15-38, where God declares that He will judge all the nations for their sins.
Reflection Questions
- What can we learn from the Ammonites' trust in their false god Milcom, and how can we apply this to our own lives in terms of trusting in the one true God?
- How does the destruction of Ai serve as a warning to the cities of Heshbon and Rabbah, and what warnings can we take from this for our own lives?
- What role does repentance and mourning play in the face of God's judgment, as seen in Jeremiah 49:3, and how can we apply this to our own lives?
- How does Jeremiah 49:3 relate to the theme of God's sovereignty over all nations, as seen in Daniel 4:25 and Psalm 103:19?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 49:3
Howl, O Heshbon,.... Which was a city of Moab, though it formerly belonged to the Amorites; see Jeremiah 48:2; it was upon the border of Ammon, and near to Ai, now destroyed; and therefore is called
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 49:3
Heshbon was formerly a city of the Amorites, of whom Sihon was king, who resided here (but it appears by that it was taken from Moab); it is probable that it was at this time a city of Moab: the prophet calls to them to howl for Ai a city of the Ammonites, not the same mentioned , for that was on the other side of Jordan. It is uncertain whether by the daughters of Rabbah be to be understood other lesser cities, or the younger women that inhabited Rabbah: he calls to them all to mourn; and for all the indications or signs of mourning, such as girding with sackcloth, running up and down, like persons distracted, by the hedges, where they might be hidden, and not so easily seen. For they shall all go together into captivity; their Melcom, which may signify their idol to whom they gave that name, or their king, or else their supreme magistrate, with their priests and nobles, all orders of persons.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 49:3
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.Ver. 3. Howl, O Heshbon.] A city of the Gadites, but seized upon, it seemeth, first by the Ammonites, and then by the Moabites. For Ai is spoiled.] Not that Ai, Joshua 7:1, but another of that name beyond Jordan - Gaja, Ptolemy calleth it. And run to and fro by the hedges.] Hide you behind the hedges. For their king.] Or, Malcham their idol - as Chemosh.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 49:3
(3) Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled.—Heshbon has appeared in Jeremiah 48:2; Jeremiah 48:45, as connected with the fortunes of Moab, but it was strictly an Ammonite city. The “Ai” here is obviously not the city near Jericho of Jos 8:28, and unless we assume an error in the text (“Ai” for “Ar”= city), we must infer the existence of a Trans-jordanic city of the same name. Run to and fro by the hedges.—Hedges, in the English sense of the word, have never been common in the East, and the word here denotes either the palings round the sheep-folds, or the walls round the vineyards of the villages that are described as the “daughters of Rabbah.” The word is never used for the walls of a city, but appears in Numbers 22:24; Numbers 32:16; Numbers 32:24; Numbers 32:36 in the sense of “sheep-folds.” Their king shall go into captivity.—Better, as before, Melcom. As in Jeremiah 48:7, the captivity of the national deity with his priests (the fact that they are named is decisive as to the meaning) involves the captivity of the people.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 49:3
Verse 3. Run to and fro by the hedges] It is supposed that this may refer to the women making lamentations for the dead, that were in general buried by the walls of their gardens; but others think that it refers to the smaller cities or villages, called here the daughters of Rabbah, the metropolis; the inhabitants of which are exhorted to seek safety somewhere else, as none can be expected from them, now that the enemy is at hand.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 49:3
3. Howl, O Heshbon] Heshbon was a Moabite city (Jeremiah 48:2; Jeremiah 48:34; Jeremiah 48:45), and an Ammonite Ai is otherwise unknown. Hence conjectural emendations are (a) to read (with Co.) for “Heshbon” Ammon (i.e. its inhabitants), and for “Ai” the city, or (b) emending “Ai” as in (a), to read for “Heshbon” (with a considerable change of the word in MT.) the palace (Du.). Neither (a) nor (b) however is quite satisfactory. among the fences] The Heb. means walls, such as enclose sheepfolds. Probably it needs emendation, and Gi., Du. and Co. all recognise that what we expect is something indicative of mourning. Co.’s conjecture makes the least change in MT., viz. in mourning attire. Malcam shall go, etc.] See Jeremiah 48:7 and cp. Amos 1:15.
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 49:3
Ai - Not the town on the west of the Jordan Joshua 7:2; a place not mentioned elsewhere. For Ai some read Ar.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 49:3
3. Heshbon was formerly the residence of Sihon, king of the Amorites, but it seems at this time to have been in possession of the Ammonites.
Sermons on Jeremiah 49:3
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A Burning Heart by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher references various verses from the Bible, including Jeremiah chapter 4 and Joel chapter 1. He emphasizes the need for repentance and laments the state |
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Voices From Hell Speaking to America - Part 3 by Alan Cairns | This sermon delves into the prophetic lamentation of the impending destruction of Pharaoh, his armies, and the great Egyptian nation, challenging the false hope placed in Egypt's m |
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Eternal Hell (1 of 2) by Art Katz | In this sermon transcript, the speaker expresses his frustration with the lack of preaching on the judgment of God and the impending return of Jesus as a judge. He longs for the re |
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The Fire of God's Judgment by Art Katz | In this sermon, the preacher describes a horrifying train journey through Europe, where people were living in filth and despair. He emphasizes the need for a message on the judgmen |
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Spiritual Virginity by G.W. North | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being vessels for God. He shares personal experiences of witnessing people repenting and being transformed by the power of |