Comentario crítico, práctico y explicativo sobre el Antiguo y el Nuevo Testamento, por Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset y David Brown

waters . . . moved like the rivers--The rise of the Nile is gentle; but at the mouth it, unlike most rivers, is much agitated, owing to the sandbanks impeding its course, and so it rushes into the sea like a cataract.

Jeremiah 46:9

jer 46:9

Ironical exhortation, as in Jer 46:3. The Egyptians, owing to the heat of their climate and abstinence from animal food, were physically weak, and therefore employed mercenary soldiers.

Ethiopians--Hebrew, Cush: Abyssinia and Nubia.

Libyans--Phut, Mauritania, west of Egypt (compare Gen 10:6).

shield--The Libyans borrowed from Egypt the use of the long shield extending to the feet [XENOPHON, CyropÃ&brvbr;dia, 6 and 7].

Lydians--not the Lydians west of Asia Minor (Gen 10:22; Eze 30:5), but the Ludim, an African nation descended from Egypt (Mizraim) (Gen 10:13; Eze 30:5; Nah 3:9).

handle and bend the bow--The employment of two verbs expresses the manner of bending the bow, namely, the foot being pressed on the center, and the hands holding the ends of it.

Jeremiah 46:10

jer 46:10

vengeance--for the slaughter of Josiah (Kg2 23:29).

sword shall devour . . . be . . . drunk--poetical personification (Deu 32:42).

a sacrifice-- (Isa 34:6; Eze 39:17). The slaughter of the Egyptians is represented as a sacrifice to satiate His righteous vengeance.

Jeremiah 46:11

jer 46:11

Gilead . . . balm--(See on Jer 8:22); namely, for curing the wounds; but no medicine will avail, so desperate shall be the slaughter.

virgin--Egypt is so called on account of her effeminate luxury, and as having never yet been brought under foreign yoke.

thou shalt not be cured--literally, "there shall be no cure for thee" (Jer 30:13; Eze 30:21). Not that the kingdom of Egypt should cease to exist, but it should not recover its former strength; the blow should be irretrievable.

Jeremiah 46:12

jer 46:12

mighty . . . stumbled against . . . mighty . . . fallen both together--Their very multitude shall prove an impediment in their confused flight, one treading on the other.

Jeremiah 46:13

jer 46:13

Prophecy of the invasion of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar, which took place sixteen years after the taking of Jerusalem. Having spent thirteen years in the siege of Tyre, and having obtained nothing for his pains, he is promised by God Egypt for his reward in humbling Tyre (Eze 29:17-20; Eze. 30:1-31:18). The intestine commotions between Amasis and Pharaoh-hophra prepared his way (compare Note, see on Isa 19:1, &c.).

Jeremiah 46:14

jer 46:14

Declare . . . publish--as if giving sentence from a tribunal.

Migdol . . . Noph . . . Tahpanhes--east, south, and north. He mentions the three other quarters, but omits the west, because the Chaldeans did not advance thither. These cities, too, were the best known to the Jews, as being in their direction.

sword shall devour round about thee--namely, the Syrians, Jews, Moabites, and Ammonites (see on Jer 48:1). The exhortation is ironical, as in Jer 46:4, Jer 46:10, Jer 46:15.

Jeremiah 46:15

jer 46:15

thy valiant men--manuscripts, the Septuagint, and Vulgate read, "thy valiant one," Apis, the bull-shaped Egyptian idol worshipped at Noph or Memphis. The contrast thus is between the palpable impotence of the idol and the might attributed to it by the worshippers. The Hebrew term, "strong," or "valiant," is applied to bulls (Psa 22:12). Cambyses in his invasion of Egypt destroyed the sacred bull.

drive them--(Compare Jer 46:5). The Hebrew word is used of a sweeping rain (Pro 28:3).

Jeremiah 46:16

jer 46:16

He--Jehovah.

made many to fall--literally, "multiplied the faller," that is, fallers.

one fell upon another-- (Jer 46:6, Jer 46:12): even before the enemy strikes them (Lev 26:37).

let us go again to our own people--the language of the confederates and mercenaries, exhorting one another to desert the Egyptian standard, and return to their respective homes (Jer 46:9, Jer 46:21).

from the oppressing sword--from the cruel sword, namely, of the Chaldeans (compare Jer 25:38).

Jeremiah 46:17

jer 46:17

there--in their own country severally, the foreign soldiers (Jer 46:16) cry, "Pharaoh is," &c.

but a noise--He threatens great things, but when the need arises, he does nothing. His threats are mere "noise" (compare Co1 13:1). MAURER translates, "is ruined," literally (in appropriate abruptness of language), "Pharaoh, king . . . ruin." The context favors English Version. His vauntings of what he would do when the time of battle should come have proved to be empty sounds; he hath passed the time appointed (namely, for battle with the Chaldeans).

Jeremiah 46:18

jer 46:18

As the mountains Tabor and Carmel tower high above the other hills of Palestine, so Nebuchadnezzar (Jer 46:26) when he comes shall prove himself superior to all his foes. Carmel forms a bold promontory jutting out into the Mediterranean. Tabor is the higher of the two; therefore it is said to be "among the mountains"; and Carmel "by the sea."

the King . . . Lord of hosts-- (Jer 48:15); in contrast to "Pharaoh king of Egypt . . . but a noise" (Jer 46:17). God the true "King . . . the Lord of hosts," shall cause Nebuchadnezzar to come. Whereas Pharaoh shall not come to battle at the time appointed, notwithstanding his boasts, Nebuchadnezzar shall come according to the prediction of the King, who has all hosts in His power, however ye Egyptians may despise the prediction.

Jeremiah 46:19

jer 46:19

furnish thyself--literally, "make for thyself vessels" (namely, to contain food and other necessaries for the journey) for captivity.

daughter--so in Jer 46:11.

dwelling in Egypt--that is, the inhabitants of Egypt, the Egyptians, represented as the daughter of Egypt (Jer 48:18; Kg2 19:21). "Dwelling" implies that they thought themselves to be securely fixed in their habitations beyond the reach of invasion.

Jeremiah 46:20

jer 46:20

heifer--wanton, like a fat, untamed heifer (Hos 10:11). Appropriate to Egypt, where Apis was worshipped under the form of a fair bull marked with spots.

destruction--that is, a destroyer: Nebuchadnezzar. Vulgate translates, "a goader," answering to the metaphor, "one who will goad the heifer" and tame her. The Arabic idiom favors this [ROSENMULLER].

cometh . . . cometh--The repetition implies, it cometh surely and quickly (Psa 96:13).

out of the north--(See on Jer 1:14; Jer 47:2).

Jeremiah 46:21

jer 46:21

Translate, "Also her hired men (mercenary soldiers, Jer 46:9, Jer 46:16), who are in the midst of her like fatted bullocks, even they also are turned back," that is, shall turn their backs to flee. The same image, "heifer . . . bullocks" (Jer 46:20-21), is applied to Egypt's foreign mercenaries, as to herself. Pampered with the luxuries of Egypt, they become as enervated for battle as the natives themselves.

Jeremiah 46:22

jer 46:22

The cry of Egypt when invaded shall be like the hissing of a serpent roused by the woodcutters from its lair. No longer shall she loudly roar like a heifer, but with a low murmur of fear, as a serpent hissing.

with axes--the Scythian mode of armor. The Chaldeans shall come with such confidence as if not about to have to fight with soldiers, but merely to cut down trees offering no resistance.

Jeremiah 46:23

jer 46:23

her forest-- (Isa 10:34).

though it cannot be searched--They cut down her forest, dense and unsearchable (Job 5:9; Job 9:10; Job 36:26) as it may seem: referring to the thickly set cities of Egypt, which were at that time a thousand and twenty. The Hebrew particle is properly, "for," "because."

because--the reason why the Chaldeans shall be able to cut down so dense a forest of cities as Egypt: they themselves are countless in numbers.

grasshoppers--locusts (Jdg 6:5).

Jeremiah 46:25

jer 46:25

multitude--Hebrew, "Amon" (Nah 3:8, Margin, "No-Ammon"), the same as Thebes or Diospolis in Upper Egypt, where Jupiter Ammon had his famous temple. In English Version, "multitude" answers to "populous No" (Nah 3:8; Eze 30:15). The reference to "their gods" which follows, makes the translation more likely, "Ammon of No," that is, No and her idol Ammon; so the Chaldee Version. So called either from Ham, the son of Noah; or, the "nourisher," as the word means.

their kings--the kings of the nations in league with Egypt.

Jeremiah 46:26

jer 46:26

afterward . . . inhabited--Under Cyrus forty years after the conquest of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar, it threw off the Babylonian yoke but has never regained its former prowess (Jer 46:11; Eze 29:11-15).

Jeremiah 46:27

jer 46:27

Repeated from Jer 30:10-11. When the Church (and literal Israel) might seem utterly consumed, there still remains hidden hope, because God, as it were, raises His people from the dead (Rom 11:15). Whereas the godless "nations" are consumed even though they survive, as are the Egyptians after their overthrow; because they are radically accursed and doomed [CALVIN].

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Jeremiah Chapter 47

Jeremiah 47:1

jer 47:1

PROPHECY AGAINST THE PHILISTINES. (Jer 47:1-7)

Pharaoh-necho probably smote Gaza on his return after defeating Josiah at Megiddo (Ch2 35:20) [GROTIUS]. Or, Pharaoh-hophra (Jer 37:5, Jer 37:7) is intended: probably on his return from his fruitless attempt to save Jerusalem from the Chaldeans, he smote Gaza in order that his expedition might not be thought altogether in vain [CALVIN] (Amo 1:6-7).

Jeremiah 47:2

jer 47:2

waters-- (Isa 8:7). The Chaldeans from the north are compared to the overwhelming waters of their own Euphrates. The smiting of Gaza was to be only the prelude of a greater disaster to the Philistines. Nebuzara-dan was left by Nebuchadnezzar, after he had taken Jerusalem, to subdue the rest of the adjoining cities and country.

Jeremiah 47:3

jer 47:3

(Compare Jer 4:29).

fathers . . . not look back to . . . children--Each shall think only of his own safety, not even the fathers regarding their own children. So desperate shall be the calamity that men shall divest themselves of the natural affections.

for feebleness of hands--The hands, the principal instruments of action, shall have lost all power; their whole hope shall be in their feet.

Jeremiah 47:4

jer 47:4

every helper--The Philistines, being neighbors to the Phœnicians of Tyre and Sidon, would naturally make common cause with them in the case of invasion. These cities would have no helper left when the Philistines should be destroyed.

Caphtor--the Caphtorim and Philistines both came from Mizraim (Gen 10:13-14). The Philistines are said to have been delivered by God from Caphtor (Amo 9:7). Perhaps before the time of Moses they dwelt near and were subjugated by the Caphtorim (Deu 2:23) and subsequently delivered. "The remnant" means here those still left after the Egyptians had attacked Gaza and Palestine; or rather, those left of the Caphtorim after the Chaldeans had attacked them previous to their attack on the Philistines. Some identify Caphtor with Cappadocia; GESENIUS, with Crete (Eze 25:16, Cherethims); KITTO, Cyprus. Between Palestine and Idumea there was a city Caparorsa; and their close connection with Palestine on the one hand, and Egypt (Mizraim, Gen 10:13-14) on the other hand, makes this locality the most likely.

Jeremiah 47:5

jer 47:5

Baldness . . . cut thyself--Palestine is represented as a female who has torn off her hair and cut her flesh, the heathenish (Lev 19:28) token of mourning (Jer 48:37).

their valley--the long strip of low plain occupied by the Philistines along the Mediterranean, west of the mountains of Judea. The Septuagint reads Anakim, the remains of whom were settled in those regions (Num 13:28). Joshua dislodged them so that none were left but in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod (Jos 11:21-22). But the parallel (Jer 47:7), "Ashkelon . . . the sea-shore," established English Version here, "Ashkelon . . . their valley."

Jeremiah 47:6

jer 47:6

Jeremiah, in the person of the Philistines afflicting themselves (Jer 47:5), apostrophizes the "sword of the Lord," entreating mercy (compare Deu 32:41; Eze 21:3-5, Eze 21:9-10).

up thyself--Hebrew, "Gather thyself," that is, retire or return.

Jeremiah 47:7

jer 47:7

Jeremiah, from addressing the sword in the second person, turns to his hearers and speaks of it in the third person.

Lord . . . given it a charge-- (Eze 14:17).

the sea-shore--the strip of land between the mountains and Mediterranean, held by the Philistines: "their valley" (see on Jer 47:5).

there hath he appointed it-- (Mic 6:9). There hath He ordered it to rage.

It had taken part with the Chaldeans against Judea (Kg2 24:2). Fulfilled by Nebuchadnezzar five years after the destruction of Jerusalem, when also he attacked Egypt (Jer 43:8-13) and Ammon (Jer 49:1-6). [JOSEPHUS, Antiquities, 10:9,7]. Jeremiah in this prophecy uses that of Isa. 15:1-16:14, amplifying and adapting it to his purpose under inspiration, at the same time confirming its divine authority. Isaiah, however, in his prophecy refers to the devastation of Moab by the Assyrian king, Shalmaneser; Jeremiah refers to that by Nebuchadnezzar.

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Jeremiah Chapter 48

Jeremiah 48:1

jer 48:1

PROPHECY AGAINST MOAB. (Jer. 48:1-47)

Nebo--a mountain and town of Moab; its meaning is "that which fructifies."

Kiriathaim--a city of Moab, consisting of two cities, as the word signifies; originally held by the Emim (Gen 14:5).

Misgab--meaning "elevation." It lay on an elevation.

Jeremiah 48:2

jer 48:2

no more praise-- (Isa 16:14).

in Heshbon--The foe having taken Heshbon, the chief city of Moab (Jer 48:45), in it devise evil against Moab ("it") saying, Come," &c. Heshbon was midway between the rivers Arnon and Jabbok; it was the residence of Sihon, king of the Amorites, and afterwards a Levitical city in Gad (Num 21:26). There is a play on words in the Hebrew, "Heshbon, Hashbu." Heshbon means a place of devising or counsel. The city, heretofore called the seat of counsel, shall find other counsellors, namely, those who devise its destruction.

thou shall be cut down . . . Madmen--rather, by a play on words on the meaning of madmen ("silence"), Thou shalt be brought to silence, so as well to deserve thy name (Isa 15:1). Thou shalt not dare to utter a sound.

Jeremiah 48:3

jer 48:3

Horonaim--the same as the city Avara, mentioned by PTOLEMY. The word means "double caves" (Neh 2:10; Isa 15:5).

Jeremiah 48:4

jer 48:4

little ones . . . cry--heightening the distress of the scene. The foe does not spare even infants.

Jeremiah 48:5

jer 48:5

going up of Luhith . . . going down of Horonaim--Horonaim lay in a plain, Luhith on a height. To the latter, therefore, the Moabites would flee with "continual weeping," as a place of safety from the Chaldeans. Literally, "Weeping shall go up upon weeping."

Jeremiah 48:6

jer 48:6

They exhort one another to flee.

heath--or the juniper (see on Jer 17:6). MAURER translates, "Be like one naked in the wilderness." But the sense is, Live in the wilderness like the heath, or juniper; do not "trust in" walls (Jer 48:7) [GROTIUS]. (Compare Mat 24:16-18).

Jeremiah 48:7

jer 48:7

thy works--namely, fortifications built by thy work. Moab was famous for its fortresses (Jer 48:18). The antithesis is to Jer 48:6, "Be . . . in the wilderness," where there are no fortified cities.

thou . . . also--like the rest of the surrounding peoples, Judah, &c.

Chemosh--the tutelary god of Moab (Num 21:29; Jdg 11:24; Kg1 11:7; Kg2 23:13). When a people were vanquished, their gods also were taken away by the victors (Jer 43:12).

Jeremiah 48:8

jer 48:8

the valley . . . shall perish--that is, those dwelling in the valley.

Jeremiah 48:9

jer 48:9

Give wings, &c.-- (Psa 55:6). Unless it get wings, it cannot escape the foe. "Wings," the Hebrew root meaning is a "flower" (Job 14:2); so the flower-like plumage of a bird.

Jeremiah 48:10

jer 48:10

work of . . . Lord--the divinely appointed utter devastation of Moab. To represent how entirely this is God's will, a curse is pronounced on the Chaldeans, the instrument, if they do it negligently (Margin) or by halves (Jdg 5:23); compare Saul's sin as to Amalek (Sa1 15:3, Sa1 15:9), and Ahab's as to Syria (Kg1 20:42).

Jeremiah 48:11

jer 48:11

settled on . . . lees--(See on Isa 25:6; Zep 1:12). As wine left to settle on its own lees retains its flavor and strength (which it would lose by being poured from one vessel into another), so Moab, owing to its never having been dislodged from its settlements, retains its pride of strength unimpaired.

emptied from vessel, &c.--To make it fit for use, it used to be filtered from vessel to vessel.

scent--retaining the image: the bouquet or perfume of the wine.

Jeremiah 48:12

jer 48:12

wanderers--rather, "pourers out," retaining the image of Jer 48:11, that is, the Chaldeans who shall remove Moab from his settlements, as men pour wine from off the lees into other vessels. "His vessels" are the cities of Moab; the broken "bottles" the men slain [GROTIUS]. The Hebrew and the kindred Arabic word means, "to turn on one side," so as to empty a vessel [MAURER].

Jeremiah 48:13

jer 48:13

ashamed--have the shame of disappointment as to the hopes they entertained of aid from Chemosh, their idol.

Beth-el-- (Kg1 12:27, Kg1 12:29) --that is, the golden calf set up there by Jeroboam.

Jeremiah 48:15

jer 48:15

gone up . . . gone down--in antithesis.

out of her cities--Rather, "Moab . . . and her cities are gone up," namely, pass away in the ascending smoke of their conflagration (Jos 8:20-21; Jdg 20:40). When this took place, the young warriors would go down from the burning citadels only to meet their own slaughter [GROTIUS]. English Version is somewhat favored by the fact that "gone out" is singular, and "cities" plural. The antithesis favors GROTIUS.

Jeremiah 48:16

jer 48:16

near--to the prophet's eye, though probably twenty-three years elapsed between the utterance of the prophecy in the fourth year of Jehoiakim (Kg2 24:2) and its fulfilment in the fifth year of Nebuchadnezzar.

Jeremiah 48:17

jer 48:17

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 (Isa 9:4; Isa 14:4-5); also because of its dignity and power (Psa 110:2; Zac 11:7).

Jeremiah 48:18

jer 48:18

(Isa 47:1).

dost inhabit--now so securely settled as if in a lasting habitation.

thirst--Dibon, being situated on the Arnon, abounded in water (Isa 15:9). In sad contrast with this, and with her "glory" in general, she shall be reduced not only to shame, but to the want of the commonest necessaries ("thirst") in the arid wilderness (Jer 48:6).

Jeremiah 48:19

jer 48:19

Aroer--on the north bank of the Arnon, a city of Ammon (Deu 2:36; Deu 3:12). As it was on "the way" of the Moabites who fled into the desert, its inhabitants "ask" what is the occasion of Moab's flight, and so learn the lot that awaits themselves (compare Sa1 4:13, Sa1 4:16).

Jeremiah 48:20

jer 48:20

Answer of the fleeing Moabites to the Ammonite inquirers (Jer 48:19; Isa 16:2). He enumerates the Moabite cities at length, as it seemed so incredible that all should be so utterly ruined. Many of them were assigned to the Levites, while Israel stood.

in Arnon--the north boundary between Moab and Ammon (Jer 48:19; Num 21:13).

Jeremiah 48:21

jer 48:21

plain-- (Jer 48:8). Not only the mountainous regions, but also the plain, shall be wasted.

Holon--(Compare Jos 15:51).

Jahazah-- (Num 21:23; Isa 15:4).

Mephaath-- (Jos 13:18; Jos 21:37).

Jeremiah 48:22

jer 48:22

Beth-diblathaim--"the house of Diblathaim": Almon-diblathaim (Num 33:46); "Diblath" (Eze 6:13); not far from Mount Nebo (Num 33:46-47).

Jeremiah 48:23

jer 48:23

Beth-gamul--meaning "the city of camels."

Beth-meon--"the house of habitation": Beth-baalmeon (Jos 13:17). Now its ruins are called Miun.

Jeremiah 48:24

jer 48:24

Kerioth-- (Jos 15:25; Amo 2:2).

Bozrah--(See on Isa 34:6); at one time under the dominion of Edom, though belonging originally to Moab (Gen 36:33; Isa 63:1). Others think the Bozrah in Edom distinct from that of Moab. "Bezer" (Jos 21:36).

Jeremiah 48:25

jer 48:25

horn--the emblem of strength and sovereignty: it is the horned animal's means of offense and defense (Psa 75:5, Psa 75:10; Lam 2:3).

Jeremiah 48:26

jer 48:26

drunken--(see on Jer 13:12; Jer 25:17). Intoxicated with the cup of divine wrath, so as to be in helpless distraction.

magnified . . . against . . . Lord--boasted arrogantly against God's people, that whereas Israel was fallen, Moab remained flourishing.

wallow in . . . vomit--following up the image of a drunken man, that is, shall be so afflicted by God's wrath as to disgorge all his past pride, riches, and vainglory, and fall in his shameful abasement.

he also . . . derision--He in his disaster shall be an object of derision to us, as we in ours have been to him (Jer 48:27). Retribution in kind.

Jeremiah 48:27

jer 48:27

(Zep 2:8).

a derision--The Hebrew has the article: referring to Jer 48:26, "Was not Israel (the whole nation) the object of derision to thee?" Therefore, Moab is to suffer as formerly for its exultation over the calamity (Kg2 17:6) of the ten tribes under the Assyrian Shalmaneser (Isa. 15:1-16:14), so now for its exultation over the fall of Judah, under the Chaldean Nebuchadnezzar. God takes up His people's cause as His own (Oba 1:13-18).

was he . . . among thieves-- (Jer 2:26). Proverbial. What did Israel do to deserve such derision? Was he detected in theft, that thou didst so exult over him in speaking of him? Though guilty before God, Israel was guiltless towards thee.

since--"since ever" thou didst begin speaking of him.

skippedst for joy--at Israel's calamity [CALVIN]; or, "thou didst shake thy head" in "derision" [MAURER].

Jeremiah 48:28

jer 48:28

Doves often have their nests in the "sides" of caverns. No longer shalt thou have cities to shelter thee: thou shalt have to flee for shelter to caves and deserts (Psa 55:6, Psa 55:8; Sol 2:14).

Jeremiah 48:29

jer 48:29

pride-- (Isa 16:6-7). Moab was the trumpeter of his own fame. Jeremiah adds "loftiness and arrogancy" to Isaiah's picture, so that Moab had not only not been bettered by the chastisement previously endured as foretold by Isaiah, but had even become worse; so that his guilt, and therefore his sentence of punishment, are increased now. Six times Moab's pride (or the synonyms) are mentioned, to show the exceeding hatefulness of his sin.

Jeremiah 48:30

jer 48:30

I know--Moab's "proud arrogancy" (Jer 48:29) or "wrath," against My people, is not unknown to Me.

it shall not be so--The result shall not be so as he thinks: his lies shall not so effect what he aims at by them. CALVIN translates, "his lies are not right (that is, his vauntings are vain because God will not give them effect); they shall not do so" as they project in their minds, for God will set at naught their plans.

Jeremiah 48:31

jer 48:31

I will cry . . . for . . . Moab--Not that it deserves pity, but the prophet's "crying" for it vividly represents the greatness of the calamity.

Kir-heres--Kir-hareseth, in Isa 16:7; see on Isa 16:7. It means "the city of potters," or else "the city of the sun" [GROTIUS]. Here "the men of Kir-heres" are substituted for "the foundations of Kir-hareseth," in Isa 16:7. The change answers probably to the different bearing of the disaster under Nebuchadnezzar, as compared with that former one under Shalmaneser.

Jeremiah 48:32

jer 48:32

with the weeping--with the same weeping as Jazer, now vanquished, wept with for the destruction of its vines. The same calamity shall befall thee, Sibmah, as befell Jazer. The Hebrew preposition here is different from that in Isa 16:9, for which reason MAURER translates, "with more than the weeping of Jazer." English Version understands it of the continuation of the weeping; after they have wept for Jazer, fresh subject of lamentation will present itself for the wasting of the vine-abounding Sibmah.

plants . . . gone over . . . sea of Jazer--As the Septuagint reads "cities of Jazer," and as no traces of a lake near Jazer are found, the reading of English Version is doubtful. Retaining the present reading, we avoid the difficulty by translating [GROTIUS], "Thy plants (that is, citizens: alluding to the 'vine') are gone over the sea (that is, shall be transported beyond the sea to Cyprus, and such distant lands subject to Babylon; and this, too, in summertime), whereas Jazer (that is, the men of Jazer) reached the sea" (shore only, but are not transported beyond the sea); so that worse shall befall thee than befalls Jazer.

spoiler--Nebuzara-dan.

Jeremiah 48:33

jer 48:33

the plentiful field--rather, "Carmel": as the parallel "land of Moab" requires, though in Isa 16:10, it is "the plentiful field." Joy is taken away as from the nearer regions (Canaan and Palestine), so from the farther "land of Moab"; what has happened to Judah shall befall Moab, too (Jer 48:26-27) [MAURER]. However, Moab alone seems to be spoken of here; nor does the parallelism forbid "plentiful field" answering to "Moab." English Version is therefore better.

shouting--repeated; as at the conclusion of the vintage, men sing over and over again the same cry of joy. A shouting shall be heard, but not the joyous shouting of laborers treading the grapes, but the terrible battle cry of the foe.

Jeremiah 48:34

jer 48:34

From the cry of Heshbon, &c.--Those who fly from Heshbon on its capture shall continue the cry even as far as Elealeh . . . . There will be continued cries in all quarters, from one end to the other, everywhere slaughter and wasting.

as an heifer of three years old--Moab heretofore not having known foreign yoke, and in its full strength, is compared to an heifer of three years old, never yet yoked, nor as yet worn out with many birth-givings (compare Note, see on Isa 15:5).

waters . . . of Nimrim--that is, the well-watered and therefore luxuriant pastures of Nimrim.

desolate--The Hebrew is stronger: not merely shall be "desolate," but desolation itself multiplied: plural, "desolations." The most fertile tracts shall be dried up.

Jeremiah 48:35

jer 48:35

him that offereth--namely, whole burnt offerings as the Hebrew requires [GROTIUS]. Compare the awful burnt offering of the king of Moab (Kg2 3:27).

high places-- (Isa 16:12).

Jeremiah 48:36

jer 48:36

(See on Isa 15:7; Isa 16:11).

like pipes--a plaintive instrument, therefore used at funerals and in general mourning.

riches . . . gotten--literally, the abundance . . . that which is over and above the necessaries of life. GROTIUS translates, "They who have been left remaining shall perish"; they who have not been slain by the enemy shall perish by disease and famine.

Jeremiah 48:37

jer 48:37

(See on Jer 47:5; Isa 15:2-3).

upon all . . . hands--that is, arms, in which such cuttings used to be made in token of grief (compare Zac 13:6).

Jeremiah 48:38

jer 48:38

vessel . . . no pleasure--(See Jer 22:28); a vessel cast aside by the potter as refuse, not answering his design.

Jeremiah 48:39

jer 48:39

it--Moab.

How . . . how--prodigious, yet sure to happen.

turned the back--not daring to show her face.

derision . . . dismaying to all--a derision to some; a dismaying to others in beholding such a judgment of God, fearing a like fate for themselves.

Jeremiah 48:40

jer 48:40

he--Nebuzara-dan, the captain of Nebuchadnezzar.

as . . . eagle--not to bear them "on eagles' wings" (Exo 19:4; Deu 32:11-12), as God does His people, but to pounce on them as a prey (Jer 49:22; Deu 28:49; Hab 1:8).

Jeremiah 48:41

jer 48:41

as . . . woman in . . . pangs-- (Isa 13:8).

Jeremiah 48:42

jer 48:42

(See on Jer 48:26).

Jeremiah 48:43

jer 48:43

(See on Isa 24:17; Isa 24:18).

Jeremiah 48:44

jer 48:44

When thou thinkest thou hast escaped one kind of danger, a fresh one will start up.

Jeremiah 48:45

jer 48:45

under . . . shadow of Heshbon--They thought that they would be safe in Heshbon.

because of the force--that is, "they that fled because of the force" of the enemy: they that fled from it. GLASSIUS translates, "through want of strength." So the Hebrew particle is translated (Psa 109:24), "faileth of fatness," that is, "faileth through want of fatness"; also Lam 4:9.

but a fire, &c.--copied in part from Sihon's hymn of victory (Num 21:27-28). The old "proverb" shall hold good again. As in ancient times Sihon, king of the Amorites, issued forth from his city, Heshbon, as a devouring "flame" and consumed Moab, so now the Chaldeans, making Heshbon their starting-point, shall advance to the destruction of Moab.

midst of Sihon--that is, the city of Sihon.

corner of Moab--that is, Moab from one corner to the other.

crown of . . . head--the most elevated points of Moab. Making some alterations, he here copies Balaam's prophecy (Num 24:17). Margin there translates "princes" for corners; if so, "crown of . . . head" here refers to the nobles.

tumultuous ones--sons of tumult; those who have tumultuously revolted from Babylon. Heshbon passed from the Amorite to the Israelite sway. Moab had wrested it from Israel and helped the Chaldeans against the Jews; but revolting from Babylon, they brought ruin on themselves in turn.

Jeremiah 48:46

jer 48:46

Copied from Num 21:29.

Jeremiah 48:47

jer 48:47

Restoration promised to Moab, for the sake of righteous Lot, their progenitor (Gen 19:37; Exo 20:6; Psa 89:30-33). Compare as to Egypt, Jer 46:26; Ammon, Jer 49:6; Elam, Jer 49:39. Gospel blessings, temporal and spiritual, to the Gentiles in the last days, are intended.

The event of the prophecy as to Ammon preceded that as to Moab (see on Jer 49:3); and in Eze 21:26-28, the destruction of Ammon is subjoined to the deposition of Zedekiah.

Next: Jeremiah Chapter 49

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments: Jeremiah: Jeremiah Chapter 49

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] at sacred-texts.com

Jeremiah Chapter 49

Jeremiah 49:1

jer 49:1

PREDICTIONS AS TO AMMON, IDUMEA, DAMASCUS, KEDAR, HAZOR, AND ELAM. (Jer. 49:1-39)

Hath Israel . . . no heir?--namely, to occupy the land of Gad, after it itself has been carried away captive by Shalmaneser. Ammon, like Moab, descended from Lot, lay north of Moab, from which it was separated by the river Arnon, and east of Reuben and Gad (Jos 13:24-25) on the same side of Jordan. It seized on Gad when Israel was carried captive. Judah was by the right of kindred the heir, not Ammon; but Ammon joined with Nebuchadnezzar against Judah and Jerusalem (Kg2 24:2) and exulted over its fall (Psa 83:4-7-8; Zep 2:8-9). It had already, in the days of Jeroboam, in Israel's affliction, tried to "enlarge its border" (Kg2 14:26; Amo 1:1, Amo 1:13).

their king-- (Amo 1:15); referring to Melchom, their tutelary idol (Zep 1:5); and so the Septuagint reads it here as a proper name (Kg1 11:5, Kg1 11:33; Kg2 23:13). The Ammonite god is said to do what they do, namely, occupy the Israelite land of Gad. To Jehovah, the theocratic "King" of Israel, the land belonged of right; so that their Molech or Melchom was a usurper-king.

his people--the people of Melchom, "their king." Compare "people of Chemosh," Jer 48:46.

Jeremiah 49:2

jer 49:2

Rabbah--"the great," metropolis of Ammon (Sa2 12:26-30). Its destruction is foretold also in Eze 25:5; Amo 1:14-15.

her daughters--the towns and villages, dependencies of the metropolis (Jos 15:45).

shall . . . be heir--shall possess those who possessed him. The full accomplishment of this is still future; partially fulfilled under the Maccabees (1 Maccabees 5:6).

Jeremiah 49:3

jer 49:3

Heshbon . . . Ai--Nebuchadnezzar, coming from the north, first attacked Ammon, then its brother and neighbor, Moab. As Ai of Ammon had already suffered destruction, Heshbon of Moab being near it might well fear the same fate.

hedges--Their cities being destroyed, the outcasts have no place of shelter save behind the "hedges" of vineyards and gardens; or else the enclosures of their villages.

their king--Melchom, the idol, as the mention of "his priests" shows (compare Jer 48:7).

Jeremiah 49:4

jer 49:4

thy flowing valley--rather, "thy valley shall flow," namely with the blood of the slain; in sad contrast to their "valleys" in which they had heretofore "gloried," as flowing with milk and honey [GROTIUS]. Or else, as Margin, "shall flow away."

backsliding--apostate from Jehovah, the God of their father Lot, to Molech.

treasures--her resources for resisting the foe.

Who shall, &c.--Who can come . . . (Jer 21:13).

Jeremiah 49:5

jer 49:5

every man right forth--whithersoever chance may lead him (Jer 46:5; Gen 19:17); straight before him, onwards at random (Amo 4:3).

none . . . gather up him, &c.--There shall be none to gather together the wandering fugitives, so as to care for them and restore them to their own homes.

Jeremiah 49:6

jer 49:6

(Compare Jer 48:47). For the sake of "righteous" Lot their progenitor. Partially fulfilled under Cyrus; in gospel times more fully.

Jeremiah 49:7

jer 49:7

Concerning Edom--a distinct prophecy, copied in part from Obadiah, but with the freedom of one himself inspired and foretelling a later calamity. Obadiah's was fulfilled probably in Sennacherib's time (compare Isa 34:5; Amo 1:11); Jeremiah's about the same time as his preceding prophecies (Jer 49:12; Eze 25:12).

wisdom--for which the Arabs and the people of Teman (a city of Edom) in particular, were famed (Gen 36:15; Kg1 4:30; see Job, everywhere; Oba 1:8).

vanished--literally "poured out," that is, exhausted (compare Isa 19:3, Margin) [MAURER]. Or, as the kindred Ethiopic word means, "worn out" [LUDOVICUS DE DIEU].

Jeremiah 49:8

jer 49:8

turn--namely, your backs in flight.

dwell deep--in deep defiles and caves [GROTIUS], which abound in Idumea. Others refer it to the Arab custom of retiring into the depth of the desert when avoiding an offended foe (Jer 49:30).

Dedan--a tribe bordering on and made subject by Idumea; descended from Jokshan, son of Abraham and Keturah (Gen 25:1-3).

Esau--The naming of Edom's progenitor, reprobated by God, recalls the remembrance of the old curse on him for his profanity, both his sin and its punishment being perpetuated in his descendants (Heb 12:16-17).

Jeremiah 49:9

jer 49:9

(Oba 1:5). Grape gatherers, yea even thieves, leave something behind them; but the Chaldeans will sweep Idumea clean of everything.

Jeremiah 49:10

jer 49:10

Edom became politically extinct after the time of the Romans.

uncovered his secret places--where he hid himself (Jer 49:8) and his treasures (Isa 45:3). I have caused that nothing should be so hidden as that the conqueror should not find it.

brethren--Ammon.

neighbours--the Philistines.

Jeremiah 49:11

jer 49:11

Thy fatherless and widows must rest their hope in God alone, as none of the adult males shall be left alive, so desperate will be the affairs of Edom. The verse also, besides this threat, implies a promise of mercy to Esau in God's good time, as there was to Moab and Ammon (Jer 49:6; Jer 48:47); the extinction of the adult males is the prominent idea (compare Jer 49:12).

Jeremiah 49:12

jer 49:12

(Compare Jer 25:15-16, Jer 25:29).

they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup--the Jews to whom, by virtue of the covenant relation, it did not belong to drink the cup. It might have been expected that they would be spared. He regards not the merits of the Jews, for they were as bad or worse than others: but the grace and adoption of God; it is just and natural ("judgment") that God should pardon His sons sooner than aliens [CALVIN].

Jeremiah 49:13

jer 49:13

Bozrah--(See on Jer 48:24).

Jeremiah 49:14

jer 49:14

(Oba 1:1-3).

ambassador . . . unto the heathen--a messenger from God to stir up the Chaldeans against Edom.

Jeremiah 49:15

jer 49:15

David and Joab had already humbled Edom (Sa2 8:14).

Jeremiah 49:16

jer 49:16

terribleness--the terror which thou didst inspire into others.

deceived thee--rendered thee proudly confident, as if none would dare to assail thee.

dwellest in . . . rock--Petra, the chief of Idumea, was cut in the rocks; its ruins are very remarkable. The whole south of Idumea abounds in cave dwellings and rocks.

though . . . nest . . . eagle-- (Job 39:27; Oba 1:3-4). The eagle builds its nest in the highest craggy eyry.

Jeremiah 49:17

jer 49:17

(Compare Kg1 9:8).

Jeremiah 49:18

jer 49:18

(Jer 50:40; Deu 29:23; Amo 4:11).

no man shall abide there--that is, of the Idumeans. The Romans had a garrison there.

Jeremiah 49:19

jer 49:19

he--Nebuchadnezzar, or Nebuzara-dan; the name would at once suggest itself to the minds of the hearers (Jer 48:40; Jer 46:18).

swelling--as a lion which the overflow of the Jordan forced out of his lair on the banks, to ascend the neighboring heights [CALVIN]. See as to the translation, "pride of the Jordan," see on Jer 12:5.

habitation of . . . strong--the fastnesses of Idumea (compare Num 24:21). MAURER translates, "An ever verdant (literally, 'perennial') pasturage," that is, Idumea heretofore having enjoyed uninterrupted tranquillity; so in Jer 49:20 the image is retained, the Idumeans being compared to "a flock," and their king to "a shepherd," in this verse, and the enemy to "a lion" (compare Jer 50:17-19). English Version accords more with the Hebrew.

suddenly--"in the twinkling of an eye," as the Hebrew implies.

. . . her--I will make Nebuzara-dan enter Idumea, and then, having in the twinkling of an eye effected the conquest, go away speedily: elsewhere. Instead of "but," translate, "for." GROTIUS translates, "run upon her," or "to her," instead of "run away from her." MAURER understands it, "I will make him (the Idumean) run away from her" (that is, from his own land); the similar change of reference of the pronouns (Jer 50:44) favors this.

who is a chosen man, &c.--God calls the choicest warriors to Him, to set "over" the work of devastating Idumea. God will surely execute His purpose, for He can call forth from all sides the agents He chooses.

who is like me?-- (Exo 15:11).

who will appoint me the time?--namely, for entering into a trial in judgment with Me (see Margin). Image from law courts (Job 9:19).

shepherd--leader of the Idumeans; following up the previous image, "a lion"; no Idumean shepherd shall withstand the lion sent by Jehovah (Job 41:10), or save the Idumean flock.

Jeremiah 49:20

jer 49:20

least of the flock--the weakest and humblest of the Chaldean host. Compare Jer 6:3, where the hostile leaders and their hosts are called "shepherds and their flocks."

draw . . . out--"shall drag them away captive" [GROTIUS]; shall drag them to and fro, as a lion (Jer 49:19) does feeble sheep [MAURER].

with them--that is, the habitation which they possess.

Jeremiah 49:21

jer 49:21

was heard in--that is, shall be heard at.

Red Sea--a considerable distance from Idumea; though the district at the Elantic bay of the Red Sea originally belonged to Idumea, and the sea itself was called from Edom, that is, "red" (Gen 25:30, Margin). Others translate, "the weedy sea" (Margin), and derive the name, "Red Sea," from its red weeds; the former view is preferable.

Jeremiah 49:22

jer 49:22

(Compare Jer 48:40-41).

Bozrah--(See on Jer 48:24).

Jeremiah 49:23

jer 49:23