Bible Commentaries

The Forty-Fourth Prophecy of Jeremiah (see book comments for Jeremiah).

Against = concerning.

Moab. Always hostile to Israel. Compare Judges 3:12, Judges 3:28; 1 Samuel 14:47. 2 Samuel 8:2. 2 Kings 1:1; 2 Kings 3:4-27; 2 Kings 13:20. In the reign of Jehoiakim they joined with the Chaldeans.

thus saith. As in Numbers 21:28, Numbers 21:29; Numbers 24:17 (compare verses: Jeremiah 48:45, Jeremiah 48:46), and Amos 2:2.

the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel. See note on Jeremiah 7:3.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

Nebo. Not the mountain, but formerly a Reubenite possession (Numbers 32:37, Numbers 32:38), now belonging to Moab.

Kiriathaim. Now probably el Kureiyat, between Medeba and Dibon.

Misgab. Probably = the high fort.

Heshbon. Now Hesban. The capital of Sihon king of the Amorites. Rebuilt by Reubenites (Numbers 32:37. Compare Joshua 13:17).

devised = counselled. Note Figure of speech Paronomasia. Heshbon, hashbu.

evil. Hebrew. ra"a". App-44.

be cut down = be reduced to silence.

Madmen. Now Umm Deineh, a town in Moab twelve miles N. E. of Dibon.

Horonaim. Probably near Zoar. Compare Isaiah 15:5.

Luhith. "Now Tal"atel Heith, one mile west of Mount Nebo.

lives = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

the heath = naked trees. Compare Jeremiah 17:6.

thou shalt also = thou too shalt.

Chemosh shall go forth into captivity. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 21:29). App-92. See App-54, and compare Judges 11:24. 1 Kings 11:7. 2 Kings 23:13.

deceitfully = negligently: i.e. this work of judgment.

hath been at ease. Since Moab had driven out the Emims (Deuteronomy 2:10).

remained = stood.

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos.

saith the LORD = [is] Jehovah's oracle.

wanderers, that shall cause him to wander = tilters that shall tilt him. Keeping up the symbol of a wine-jar (Jeremiah 48:11).

as = according as.

the house of Israel. See note on Jeremiah 2:4. The last occurrence in Jeremiah.

Beth-el. Reference to the calves of Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:29. Hosea 10:5).

men. Hebrew, plural of "enosh. App-14.

gone up . . . her cities = her cities have gone up, or ascended in burning.

saith the King = [is] the King's oracle. Compare Jeremiah 46:18.

the LORD of hosts. See note on Jeremiah 6:6.

hasteth fast. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:35). App-92.

Dibon. Now Dhiban. Ruins north of the river Arnon. Compare Jeremiah 48:22.

inhabitant = inhabitress. Reference to "daughter" (Jeremiah 48:18).

Aroer. Now "Ar"air, on the north bank of Wady, Mojib (Arnon).

Arnon. Now Wady Mojib, on the east side of the Dead Sea.

Holon. Now probably Aleiyan (not Holon or Hilen in Judah).

Jahazah . . . Mephaath. Not yet identified. Compare Isaiah 15:4.

Dibon. See Jeremiah 48:18.

Beth-diblathaim. Also Almon-diblathaim (Numbers 33:46, Numbers 33:47). Now probably Khan Deleyat = house of the two disks, mentioned on the Moabite stone. App-64.

Beth-gamul. Now Khan Jemail, east of Dibon.

Beth-meon. Now Tell M"ain. Compare Joshua 13:17.

Kerioth. Probably the same as Kiriathaim (Jeremiah 48:1).

Bozrah. Now el Buseirah, in Edom, south-east of the Dead Sea.

wallow in = stagger or splash into.

since = as often as, or whenever.

skippedst for joy = didst shake thyself in excitement, or wag thy head.

pride = arrogance. Note the Figure of speech Synonymia : six expressions, for the sake of emphasis.

mine heart shall mourn = must one mourn. So the St. Petersburg Codex (A.D. 916), with note that the Eastern Massorites read "I shall mourn".

Kir-heres. Now Kerak, the fortified town east of southern end of the Dead Sea.

Sibmah. Now probably Sumia, east of Jordan. Compare Numbers 32:38.

Jazer. Now Beit Zer"ah, east of Jordan.

plants = branches.

over the sea. Probably the Dead Sea.

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27.

From the cry, &c. or, on hearing Heshbon"s mournful cry.

Elealeh. Now el "Al, a ruin near Heshbon.

Jahaz. A town in Reuben. Not yet identified.

Zoar. Now Tell esh Shughur, on the south side of Wady Heshban. Originally "Bela".

as an heifer of three years old: or, the third Eglath (to distinguish it from two other Eglaths), or Eglath-Shelishiyah,

Nimrim. Now Wady Nimrim, near the south end of the Dead Sea.

high places. See note on 1 Kings 3:3.

like pipes. Used in mourning at funerals. Compare Matthew 9:23.

every head. Some codices, with four early printed editions (one margin), read "For upon every head".

bald = baldness. The symbol of mourning. Compare Jeremiah 47:5.

upon the loins. Some codices, with three early printed editions, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "and upon all loins".

the housetops. Where they prayed to their gods. Compare Jeremiah 19:13.

streets = broadways.

he = one (not named): Nebuchadnezzar understood.

shall fly. Codex Oriental, 2091 (British Museum), reads "shall ascend"; but the Massorah (App-30) has a note, saying "according to other codices, it is fly" (vol, 167a).

as an eagle. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:49). App-92.

mighty men"s. Hebrew. geber. App-14.

Fear = Terror.

the fear . . . the pit . . . the pit . . . in the snare. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia. Hebrew. happa-had . . . happahath . . . happahath . . . bepah.

the year of their visitation. See note on Jeremiah 8:12.

stood . . . because of the force = stood strengthless; or, halted.

a fire shall come forth out of Heshbon, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 21:28). App-92.

devour. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 24:17). App-92.

corner: or, flank.

tumultuous ones = sons of tumult.

Woe, &c. Figure of speech Maledictio. App-6.

the people of Chemosh. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 21:29).

perisheth. Same word as "undone" in Numbers 21:29.

captives = in the captivity (masculine)

captives. Feminine.

bring again the captivity. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia

the latter days = in the end, or afterpart of the days.