Jeremiah 48

Verse 1. Moab. This people broke their covenant with Sedecias, yet were punished for having entered into it, five years after the taking of Jerusalem. Jos. Saint Jerome in Calmet. xxv. 32.—The same war is described by Ezekiel 25:8. Zephaniah 2:8. Many words of Isaias (15 and 16 and 24) are adopted, though he speaks of what happened under Ezechias.—Nabo, a town at the foot of that mountain, where Moses died. Deuteronomy 34. It might have been famous for some pretended “oracle.” Isaiah 15:2 and 46:1. This chief city, with the rest, shall be destroyed. Worthington.—Cariathaim. This city, and most of the others, were repossessed by Moab after the Israelites were led into captivity. Calmet.—City. Hebrew Hammisgab, a fortress. Vat.

or, The stronghold

Verse 2. Hesebon, at the foot of Phasga, and one of the strongest cities.—Shalt. Hebrew “shall Medemena hold her peace.” Calmet.—“Thou shalt be cut down, O madmen.” Bible.—It signifies “silence.” Thou silent city, thou shalt be reduced to a mournful silence or destruction.

Verse 4. Little ones. Hebrew “to Segor.” verse 34. Isaiah 15:5. Calmet.—Chal. “princes” of the second rank. Vat.

Verse 6. Heath, or tamarick. Calmet. 17:6. Hebrew Haroher.

Verse 7. Bulwarks. Hebrew “works,” or possessions of corn, cattle, and so forth Calmet.—Chamos, the idol of the Moabites. Challoner.—He was esteemed the king of the country, as the devil is the ape of God. The prophets often deride the imbecility of these idols. Calmet. 43 and 11. The chief idol of Moab shall fall, to shew the vanity of trusting in idols. Worthington.

Verse 8. Spoiler, or “thief,” (prædo) a title which Nabuchodonosor deserved, on account of his unjust conquests. Calmet.

Verse 9. Flower: an usual ceremony at funerals. A. Lapide. Menochius.—Manibus date lilia plenis. Æn. vi.—Hebrew “wings.” Prot. “signs.” Septuagint ( Bible.) “that they may know how to return.” Let Moab flee. Calmet.

Verse 10. Deceitfully. In the Greek, negligently. The work of God here spoken of, is the punishment of the Moabites. Challoner.—Woe to those who spare those whom God orders to be destroyed, as Saul and Achab did. 1 Kennicott. 15:8. 23 and 3 Kennicott. 20:32. 42. The zeal of the Levites, Phinees, and so forth is rewarded. Exodus 32:27. Numbers 20:8.

Verse 11. Fruitful as a vine.—Lees. The wine has not been disturbed. It was customary to keep it first in pits, (Mark 12:1. Isaiah 5:1) and afterwards in large earthen vessels. Vina bibes Tauro diffusa: “Thou shalt drink wine bottled off in the consulship of Taurus.” Hor. i. ep. 5.—If the wine was weak, the vessels were put under ground. Pliny xiv. 21.—The better sort was arranged in order, (verse 12) in some clean apartment. Song of Songs 2:4. Odys. B. 237.—Changed. He alludes to the wine. Bible.—Moab has enjoyed a long peace and prosperity. Calmet.

Verse 13. Of Bethel. That is, of their golden calves, which they worshipped in Bethel. Challoner.—Chamos and the golden calves were both taken away. Osee 8:5. Calmet.—The ten tribes had foolishly trusted in the latter. 3 Kennicott. 12. Worthington.

Verse 16. Swiftly; about twenty-three years from the fourth of Joakim.

Verse 17. His name, as particular friends. Exodus 33:12. 17. People in the East had a secret name, which they disclosed to very few, to prevent incantations.—Rod. This nation was exceedingly vain. verse 29.

Verse 18. Thirst. Dibon was well supplied with water. Isaiah 15:9.

Verse 20. Arnon, on which river Aroer stood.

Verse 26. Drunk with the wine of God’s wrath.—Dash. Hebrew “roll in,” or “they shall clap hands over Moab, in,” and so forth

Verse 27. Thieves. Calmet. 2:26. Calmet.—Prot. “was he found among thieves? for since thou speakest of him, thou skippest for joy.” Bible.—Chaldee agrees with the Vulg. which is clearer. Calmet.—Septuagint “hath he been found stealing from thee, since thou hast fought against him?” Grabe subjoins, “Thou shalt go into banishment. Bible.—As Moab was related to Israel, his derision was the more criminal, and more grievously punished. Worthington.

Verse 28. Place. Seek for shelter in the caverns and highest mountains. Bible.

Verse 30. Able. He hath attempted too much.

Verse 31. Brick wall. Hebrew Kir-cheres, (Isaiah 16:7. Calmet.) “the city of the sun;” (Grot.) Ar, the capital. The prophet joins in the mournful canticle, as was usual. Lu. 7:32. Calmet.—Those who boast of more than they have, are compared to an earthen wall. Worthington.

Verse 32. Jazer, or “more than for Jazer;” about six leagues to the north of Sebama, which had a rivulet communicating with the sea of Jazer.

Verse 33. Carmel, which here denotes any fruitful vineyard or place.—The, and so forth Prot. “none shall tread with shouting, their shouting shall be no shouting.” Hebrew hedad, “the cry” of the people in the vintage. Calmet.

Verse 34. As a. Lit. “the heifer;” a title of Oronaim, which was proud and ungovernable. Bible.—Hebrew also, “from Agelah to Salisa; the,” and so forth—Bad; abandoned. Isaiah 15:6. Calmet.

Verse 36. Pipes. Hebrew chalilim, ( Bible.) lyre or flutes. Such were used at funerals of children; (Matthew 9:23) trumpets sounded for men. Servius.—Could; opposing the conqueror of Asia. verse 30. 31. Calmet.—Prot. “the riches that he hat gotten is perished.”

Verse 37. Shaven, or “clipt,” (Prot. Bible.) as in mourning.—Tied. Hebrew “cut.” Calmet. 16:6. Calmet.—Such signs of mourning were usual in those countries. The Romans let their hair grow. Cic. pro Sestio. Worthington.

Verse 39. Bowed. Septuagint and Chal. “turned his back.”

Verse 41. Carioth, probably Kir Hares, which the eagle of Babylon seized. Septuagint Rom. omits verse 40. Calmet.—Grabe supplies, Behold, and so forth and here, the heart, and so forth Bible.

Verse 42. Cease for a time, till he regain his liberty under Cyrus. verse 47.

Verse 43. Fear. It was customary to hand feathers near a wood, to frighten the prey into pits or nets. Isaiah 24:17. Sanct.

Verse 45. There … saith, and so forth to the end of the chapter is supplied by Grabe. His copy subjoins, “What Jeremias prophesied against all nations. Thus,” and so forth Calmet. 25:15. Bible.

Verse 45. Hesebon, expecting shelter. But internal broils ruined them.—There, and so forth to 47, is borrowed from Numbers 21:27. Sehon had taken Hesebon from Moab.—Part. Moses has “Ar, of Moab, and the inhabitants of the heights of Arnon.” Calmet.—Tumult. Hebrew shaon, ( Bible.) means also pride, in which sense Balaam uses Seth. Numbers 24:17. Calmet.

Verse 47. Days. When they, Elam and the other Gentiles, shall be converted to the faith of Christ. We read of no other bringing back, ( Worthington.) though it might take place. Bible.