The Book of Jeremiah
Chapters 45 to 48
A Biblical Commentary Courtesy of Brit-Am
The Book of Jeremiah
Chapters 45 to 48
A Biblical Commentary Courtesy of
Brit-Am
Jeremiah 45
[Jeremiah 45:1] THE WORD THAT JEREMIAH THE PROPHET SPAKE UNTO BARUCH THE SON OF
NERIAH, WHEN HE HAD WRITTEN THESE WORDS IN A BOOK AT THE MOUTH OF JEREMIAH, IN
THE FOURTH YEAR OF JEHOIAKIM THE SON OF JOSIAH KING OF
JUDAH, SAYING,
The Book of Jeremiah has departed from the Historical
Chronological account of what was happening to Jeremiah and the Jews around
him. The relevance of the present chapter is that repeats a Prophecy that was
made in the time of King Jehoiakim. This Prophecy was to be fulfilled in part at
the time when Jeremiah and the refugees from Judah went to Egypt.
BARUCH THE SON OF NERIAH: Hoffman (Olam HaTanach) points
out that a seal from the period of Jeremiah has been found with the inscription,
""LeBerciyahu ben Neriyahu HaSofer", "For Beciyahu the son of Neriyahu, the
Scribe". This seal evidently belonged to Baruch the disciple of Jeremiah. Baruch
was a scribe (Jeremiah 36;25 36;32). Hoffman suggests that prior to joining up
permanently with Jeremiah Baruch served in the Court of the King. His brother
was to accompany King Zedekiah to Babylon: <<THE WORD WHICH JEREMIAH THE PROPHET
COMMANDED SERAIAH THE SON OF NERIAH, THE SON OF MAASEIAH, WHEN HE WENT WITH
ZEDEKIAH THE KING OF JUDAH INTO BABYLON IN THE FOURTH YEAR OF HIS REIGN. AND
THIS SERAIAH WAS A QUIET PRINCE>> [Jeremiah 51:59]. Baruch was therefore of
noble origin. Hoffman suggests that Baruch abandoned his high position in the
Royal Court in order to serve Jeremiah. He transcribed the words of Jeremiah
onto parchments and read the words out before the people and before members of
the Court. He was familiar with the ways of the Court and risked his life for
Jeremiah, serving him faithfully and accompanying him throughout
everything.
[Jeremiah 45:2] THUS SAITH THE LORD, THE GOD OF ISRAEL, UNTO THEE, O
BARUCH:
[Jeremiah 45:3] THOU DIDST SAY, WOE IS ME NOW! FOR THE LORD HATH ADDED GRIEF TO
MY SORROW; I FAINTED IN MY SIGHING, AND I FIND NO REST.
[Jeremiah 45:4] THUS SHALT THOU SAY UNTO HIM, THE LORD SAITH THUS; BEHOLD, THAT
WHICH I HAVE BUILT WILL I BREAK DOWN, AND THAT WHICH I HAVE PLANTED I WILL PLUCK
UP, EVEN THIS WHOLE LAND.
In a British Israel tract (I forget which) I saw the
suggestion that the expression "THAT WHICH I HAVE BUILT WILL I BREAK DOWN, AND
THAT WHICH I HAVE PLANTED I WILL PLUCK UP" refers to the Royal House of David
which in the person of Princess Tea Tephi was to be replanted in the British
Isles.
They also quote Ezekiel chapter 17 in this context.
<<SON OF MAN, PUT FORTH A RIDDLE, AND SPEAK A PARABLE UNTO THE HOUSE OF
ISRAEL;
AND SAY, THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD; A GREAT EAGLE WITH GREAT WINGS, LONGWINGED,
FULL OF FEATHERS, WHICH HAD DIVERS COLOURS, CAME UNTO LEBANON, AND TOOK THE
HIGHEST BRANCH OF THE CEDAR:
HE CROPPED OFF THE TOP OF HIS YOUNG TWIGS, AND CARRIED IT INTO A LAND OF
TRAFFICK; HE SET IT IN A CITY OF MERCHANTS>> [Ezekiel 17:2-4]. The suggestion
was that this refers to the relocation of the House of David overseas. The idea
is worth examining but we should be skeptical for the time being of linking the
explanation with Tea Tephi.
[Jeremiah 45:5] AND SEEKEST THOU GREAT THINGS FOR THYSELF? SEEK THEM NOT: FOR,
BEHOLD, I WILL BRING EVIL UPON ALL FLESH, SAITH THE LORD: BUT THY LIFE WILL I
GIVE UNTO THEE FOR A PREY IN ALL PLACES WHITHER THOU GOEST.
Baruch apparently was given a mission. He was told not to
request "GREAT THINGS FOR THYSELF" meaning either prophecy, or glory, or the
annulment of hard predictions. He was promised that his life would be spared and
that God would protect him wherever he went. In Irish legends a figure sometimes
referred to as "Simon Berac" (i.e. "Baruch") accompanies the Princess Tea Tephi
from the East to Ireland where she marries the son of the king. The problem is
that in Biblical terms the true line of David has to continue through the male
line and not the female one. We have however pointed out several times that
historically there is evidence that descendants of the House of David through
the male line did become rulers over various of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel in
their places of Exile.
You may be surprised at the shortness of this chapter. Is there a reason for it"
I do not know. Hebrew manuscripts divide Scripture up into sections that
indicate an internal link with the subject matter. Sometimes these divisions
correspond roughly with the chapters we use. More often they do not. The
chapters we use were first invented or adopted by Christian Printers. They
usually represent a logical division of the subject matter but occasionally they
do not. Before printing the Hebrew Bible was written out on animal parchment
according to traditional divisions. After the invention of the printing press
the Jews adopted the present chapter divisions in their printed Bibles for the
sake of convenience and also due to the need to answer Christian polemicists.
Jeremiah 46
[Jeremiah 46:1] THE WORD OF THE LORD WHICH CAME TO JEREMIAH THE PROPHET AGAINST
THE GENTILES;
[Jeremiah 46:2] AGAINST EGYPT, AGAINST THE ARMY OF PHARAOH NECHO KING OF EGYPT,
WHICH WAS BY THE RIVER EUPHRATES IN CARCHEMISH, WHICH NEBUCHADREZZAR KING OF
BABYLON SMOTE IN THE FOURTH YEAR OF JEHOIAKIM THE SON OF JOSIAH KING OF JUDAH.
Pharaoh Necho was defeated by Nebuchadnessar in ca 605 BCE
according to conventional dating. Pharaoh Necho (610-595 BCE) began the digging
of a canal to link the Nile River with the Dead Sea and thus fulfill a similar
function to the present Suez Canal. Pharaoh Necho also employed Phoenician
sailors who circumnavigated Africa. They would go out from the Red Sea, travel
south, go round the Cape of Good Hope and then northward returning to Egypt via
the Straits of Gibraltar. This trip would take them three years since according
to Herodotus they would plant corn on the way and wait for it to ripen before
continuing onwards.
Herodotus 4;42: " ...As for Libya ["Libya" in Classical
terminology usually meant the entire African Continent], we know it to be washed
on all sides by the sea, except where it is attached to Asia. This discovery was
first made by Necos, the Egyptian king, who on desisting from the canal which he
had begun between the Nile and the Arabian Gulf [i.e. a precursor of the Suez
Canal!], sent to sea a number of ships manned by Phoenicians, with orders to
make for the Pillars of Hercules [i.e. for the Straits of Gibraltar which mark
the junction between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea], and return
to Egypt by way of the Red Sea, and so sailed into the southern Ocean. When
Autumn came, they went ashore, wherever they might happen to be, and having sown
a tract of land with corn, waited until the grain was fit to cut. Having reaped
it, they again set sail; and thus it came to pass that two whole years went by,
and it was not till the third year that they doubled the Pillars of Hercules,
and made good their voyage home. On their return they declared I for my part do
not believe them, but perhaps others may that in sailing round Libya they had
the sun upon their right hand. In this way was the extent of Libya first
discovered."
King Solomon had done the same thing
previously.
"For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Hiram: every three
years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and
apes, and peacocks" (2-Chronicles 9;21).
<<AND KING SOLOMON MADE A NAVY OF SHIPS IN EZIONGEBER,
WHICH IS BESIDE ELOTH, ON THE SHORE OF THE RED SEA, IN THE LAND OF
EDOM.
<<AND HIRAM SENT IN THE NAVY HIS SERVANTS, SHIPMEN THAT HAD KNOWLEDGE OF THE
SEA, WITH THE SERVANTS OF SOLOMON.
<<AND THEY CAME TO OPHIR, AND FETCHED FROM THENCE GOLD, FOUR HUNDRED AND TWENTY
TALENTS, AND BROUGHT IT TO KING SOLOMON>> [1-Kings
9:26-28].
[Jeremiah 46:3] ORDER YE THE BUCKLER AND SHIELD, AND DRAW NEAR TO
BATTLE.
[Jeremiah 46:4] HARNESS THE HORSES; AND GET UP, YE HORSEMEN, AND STAND FORTH
WITH YOUR HELMETS; FURBISH THE SPEARS, AND PUT ON THE
BRIGANDINES.
[Jeremiah 46:5] WHEREFORE HAVE I SEEN THEM DISMAYED AND TURNED AWAY BACK" AND
THEIR MIGHTY ONES ARE BEATEN DOWN, AND ARE FLED APACE, AND LOOK NOT BACK: FOR
FEAR WAS ROUND ABOUT, SAITH THE LORD.
[Jeremiah 46:6] LET NOT THE SWIFT FLEE AWAY, NOR THE MIGHTY MAN ESCAPE; THEY
SHALL STUMBLE, AND FALL TOWARD THE NORTH BY THE RIVER EUPHRATES.
Carcamish where Pharoah Necho was defeated was on the
banks of the Euphrates. The Euphrates River is the border of the Land promised
to Israel.
[Jeremiah 46:7] WHO IS THIS THAT COMETH UP AS A FLOOD, WHOSE WATERS ARE MOVED AS
THE RIVERS"
[Jeremiah 46:8] EGYPT RISETH UP LIKE A FLOOD, AND HIS WATERS ARE MOVED LIKE THE
RIVERS; AND HE SAITH, I WILL GO UP, AND WILL COVER THE EARTH; I WILL DESTROY THE
CITY AND THE INHABITANTS THEREOF.
The Prophet likens Egypt to the Nile that annually
overflows its banks and floods the surrounding fields leaving a rich sediment to
fertilize them. National characteristics are often in part a reflection of
prominent physical geographical features. A person unconsciously adapts himself
according to his surroundings and his children grow into them.
[Jeremiah 46:9] COME UP, YE HORSES; AND RAGE, YE CHARIOTS; AND LET THE MIGHTY
MEN COME FORTH; THE ETHIOPIANS AND THE LIBYANS, THAT HANDLE THE SHIELD; AND THE
LYDIANS, THAT HANDLE AND BEND THE BOW.
Egypt hired or conscripted soldiers from its own land and
from neighboring peoples. ETHIOPIANS in Hebrew is "CUSH" and this term could
apply to any Africans but more likely those from the Sudan. Lydians came from
Lud (Lydia) in present day Western Turkey. It is known that Lydia at diiferent
times was allied with Egypt and Lydians from Lydia did serve as mercenaries in
the Egyptian armies. Even so some say that the Lydians intended here were not
from Lydia in Turkey but another people from Africa.
[Jeremiah 46:10] FOR THIS IS THE DAY OF THE LORD GOD OF HOSTS, A DAY OF
VENGEANCE, THAT HE MAY AVENGE HIM OF HIS ADVERSARIES: AND THE SWORD SHALL
DEVOUR, AND IT SHALL BE SATIATE AND MADE DRUNK WITH THEIR BLOOD: FOR THE LORD
GOD OF HOSTS HATH A SACRIFICE IN THE NORTH COUNTRY BY THE RIVER
EUPHRATES.
[Jeremiah 46:11] GO UP INTO GILEAD, AND TAKE BALM, O VIRGIN, THE DAUGHTER OF
EGYPT: IN VAIN SHALT THOU USE MANY MEDICINES; FOR THOU SHALT NOT BE CURED.
Gilead was to the east and northeast of the Jordan River.
It was Israelite territory and together with the Bashan was populated by the
Tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half-Menasseh. "Gilead" was also the name of a major
clan within Menasseh. The "Balm" of Gilead has been identified as the Afarsimmon
plant. It was known for its healing properties. This plant was later (in the
time of Herod) intensively cultivated around the region of Jericho. At that time
the cultivation of Afarsimmon was the equivalent of what we would now term a
multi-million dollar industry. It was the most valued and expensive plant of
ancient times. It was used to heal wounds, as a perfume, and as incense. The
"Balm" of Gilead was known for its healing qualities, cf.
"IS THERE NO BALM IN GILEAD; IS THERE NO PHYSICIAN THERE" WHY THEN IS NOT THE
HEALTH OF THE DAUGHTER OF MY PEOPLE RECOVERED"" [Jeremiah 8:22]. There is a
famous Protestant hymn: "There is a balm in Gilead to heal a tired
soul".
[Jeremiah 46:12] THE NATIONS HAVE HEARD OF THY SHAME, AND THY CRY HATH FILLED
THE LAND: FOR THE MIGHTY MAN HATH STUMBLED AGAINST THE MIGHTY, AND THEY ARE
FALLEN BOTH TOGETHER.
[Jeremiah 46:13] THE WORD THAT THE LORD SPAKE TO JEREMIAH THE PROPHET, HOW
NEBUCHADREZZAR KING OF BABYLON SHOULD COME AND SMITE THE LAND OF
EGYPT.
[Jeremiah 46:14] DECLARE YE IN EGYPT, AND PUBLISH IN MIGDOL, AND PUBLISH IN NOPH
AND IN TAHPANHES: SAY YE, STAND FAST, AND PREPARE THEE; FOR THE SWORD SHALL
DEVOUR ROUND ABOUT THEE.
[Jeremiah 46:15] WHY ARE THY VALIANT MEN SWEPT AWAY" THEY STOOD NOT, BECAUSE THE
LORD DID DRIVE THEM.
[Jeremiah 46:16] HE MADE MANY TO FALL, YEA, ONE FELL UPON ANOTHER: AND THEY
SAID, ARISE, AND LET US GO AGAIN TO OUR OWN PEOPLE, AND TO THE LAND OF OUR
NATIVITY, FROM THE OPPRESSING SWORD.
[Jeremiah 46:17] THEY DID CRY THERE, PHARAOH KING OF EGYPT IS BUT A NOISE; HE
HATH PASSED THE TIME APPOINTED.
[Jeremiah 46:18] AS I LIVE, SAITH THE KING, WHOSE NAME IS THE LORD OF HOSTS,
SURELY AS TABOR IS AMONG THE MOUNTAINS, AND AS CARMEL BY THE SEA, SO SHALL HE
COME.
Mount Tabor is in Northern Galilee in Israel. It is not
an exceptionally high mountain in itself but it rises straight up in the midst
of a plain, a big round mountain that pops up abruptly in the middle of flat
country. It cannot be missed.
[Jeremiah 46:19] O THOU DAUGHTER DWELLING IN EGYPT, FURNISH THYSELF TO GO INTO
CAPTIVITY: FOR NOPH SHALL BE WASTE AND DESOLATE WITHOUT AN
INHABITANT.
[Jeremiah 46:20] EGYPT IS LIKE A VERY FAIR HEIFER, BUT DESTRUCTION COMETH; IT
COMETH OUT OF THE NORTH.
[Jeremiah 46:21] ALSO HER HIRED MEN ARE IN THE MIDST OF HER LIKE FATTED
BULLOCKS; FOR THEY ALSO ARE TURNED BACK, AND ARE FLED AWAY TOGETHER: THEY DID
NOT STAND, BECAUSE THE DAY OF THEIR CALAMITY WAS COME UPON THEM, AND THE TIME
OF THEIR VISITATION.
[Jeremiah 46:22] THE VOICE THEREOF SHALL GO LIKE A SERPENT; FOR THEY SHALL MARCH
WITH AN ARMY, AND COME AGAINST HER WITH AXES, AS HEWERS OF
WOOD.
[Jeremiah 46:23] THEY SHALL CUT DOWN HER FOREST, SAITH THE LORD, THOUGH IT
CANNOT BE SEARCHED; BECAUSE THEY ARE MORE THAN THE GRASSHOPPERS, AND ARE
INNUMERABLE.
[Jeremiah 46:24] THE DAUGHTER OF EGYPT SHALL BE CONFOUNDED; SHE SHALL BE
DELIVERED INTO THE HAND OF THE PEOPLE OF THE NORTH.
[Jeremiah 46:25] THE LORD OF HOSTS, THE GOD OF ISRAEL, SAITH; BEHOLD, I WILL
PUNISH THE MULTITUDE OF NO, AND PHARAOH, AND EGYPT, WITH THEIR GODS, AND THEIR
KINGS; EVEN PHARAOH, AND ALL THEM THAT TRUST IN
HIM:
[Jeremiah 46:26] AND I WILL DELIVER THEM INTO THE HAND OF THOSE THAT SEEK THEIR
LIVES, AND INTO THE HAND OF NEBUCHADREZZAR KING OF BABYLON, AND INTO THE HAND OF
HIS SERVANTS: AND AFTERWARD IT SHALL BE INHABITED, AS IN THE DAYS OF OLD, SAITH
THE LORD.
[Jeremiah 46:27] BUT FEAR NOT THOU, O MY SERVANT JACOB, AND BE NOT DISMAYED, O
ISRAEL: FOR, BEHOLD, I WILL SAVE THEE FROM AFAR OFF, AND THY SEED FROM THE LAND
OF THEIR CAPTIVITY; AND JACOB SHALL RETURN, AND BE IN REST
AND AT EASE, AND NONE SHALL MAKE HIM AFRAID.
This expression was also found in Jeremiah 30:10.
The Midrash on this verse says:
<<AND THY SEED FROM THE LAND OF THEIR CAPTIVITY: From Gaul [France], and Spain,
and its associates" (Tanchuma, VaYayatsei, b).
[Jeremiah 46:28] FEAR THOU NOT, O JACOB MY SERVANT, SAITH THE LORD: FOR I AM
WITH THEE; FOR I WILL MAKE A FULL END OF ALL THE NATIONS WHITHER I HAVE DRIVEN
THEE: BUT I WILL NOT MAKE A FULL END OF THEE, BUT CORRECT THEE IN MEASURE; YET
WILL I NOT LEAVE THEE WHOLLY UNPUNISHED.
Jeremiah 47
[Jeremiah 47:1] THE WORD OF THE LORD THAT CAME TO JEREMIAH THE PROPHET AGAINST
THE PHILISTINES, BEFORE THAT PHARAOH SMOTE GAZA.
[Jeremiah 47:2] THUS SAITH THE LORD; BEHOLD, WATERS RISE UP OUT OF THE NORTH,
AND SHALL BE AN OVERFLOWING FLOOD, AND SHALL OVERFLOW THE LAND, AND ALL THAT IS
THEREIN; THE CITY, AND THEM THAT DWELL THEREIN: THEN THE MEN SHALL CRY, AND ALL
THE INHABITANTS OF THE LAND SHALL HOWL.
[Jeremiah 47:3] AT THE NOISE OF THE STAMPING OF THE HOOFS OF HIS STRONG HORSES,
AT THE RUSHING OF HIS CHARIOTS, AND AT THE RUMBLING OF HIS WHEELS, THE FATHERS
SHALL NOT LOOK BACK TO THEIR CHILDREN FOR FEEBLENESS OF
HANDS;
[Jeremiah 47:4] BECAUSE OF THE DAY THAT COMETH TO SPOIL ALL THE PHILISTINES, AND
TO CUT OFF FROM TYRUS AND ZIDON EVERY HELPER THAT REMAINETH: FOR THE LORD WILL
SPOIL THE PHILISTINES, THE REMNANT OF THE COUNTRY OF
CAPHTOR.
"THE COUNTRY OF CAPHTOR" in Hebrew it says, "Ey Kaptor"
i.e. the Island of Captor.
"TYRUS", i.e. Tyre "AND ZIDON" i.e. Sidon. Tyre and Sidon were the two major
Phoenician cities.
"CAPHTOR" is usually taken to mean the Isle of Cyprus. The term "Caphtor" was
also applied to Crete, Northwest Syria and to Scandinavia. Why Scandinavia was
given that name is not certain. We have discussed this in "Lost Israelite
Identity". The Assyrians referred to Cyprus as "Ydnana" meaning the "Isle of the
Dananu" or "The isle of Dan". People from the Tribe of Dan were constantly
involved with the Philistines as related in the Book of Judges especially in the
section about Samson. Danites both fought against the Philistines and also
intermixed with them. At some stage the Tribe of Dan conquered Cyprus and their
involvement with the Philistines may have been a factor in this movement.
Archaeological finds indicate a close relationship between Cyprus and the Land
of Israel and that Cyprus was dominated by people of "Phoenician" or Israelite
culture for most of its early history. It also appears that Cyprus is within the
boundaries of the regions promised to the Children of Israel. It may be that
Scandinavia was referred to as "Caphtor" in Egyptian and other sources due to
Danites having gone to Scandinavia from Cyrpus. Scandinavia up to ca. 500 BCE
had a rich culture that was closely connected to the Eastern Mediterranean and
to the Middle East. This culture disappeared due to climatic change and foreign
invasions. Irish legends indicate that the "Tribe of Dana" (Tuatha de Danaan)
moved to Ireland from Scandinavia though it had previously been linked with
Greece and before that had originated in Lebanon.
The above verse also shows the close connections that existed between the
Philistines and the chief Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon.
The Assyrians had employed Phoenician and Philistine ships to transport exiles
from Samaria (the Ten Tribes) overseas to Spain and elsewhere.
[Jeremiah 47:5] BALDNESS IS COME UPON GAZA; ASHKELON IS CUT OFF WITH THE REMNANT
OF THEIR VALLEY: HOW LONG WILT THOU CUT THYSELF"
[Jeremiah 47:6] O THOU SWORD OF THE LORD, HOW LONG WILL IT BE ERE THOU BE QUIET"
PUT UP THYSELF INTO THY SCABBARD, REST, AND BE STILL.
[Jeremiah 47:7] HOW CAN IT BE QUIET, SEEING THE LORD HATH GIVEN IT A CHARGE
AGAINST ASHKELON, AND AGAINST THE SEA SHORE? THERE HATH HE APPOINTED IT.
"ASHKELON", AND "THE SEA SHORE" were Philistine areas. The
Philistines were a mixture of Canaanite peoples linked to Egypt over whom ruled
elite elements of Greek culture. Ethnically there were connection between the
Venetians of Italy, the Illyrians of present-day Croatia, and the Philistines.
In Prophecy concerning future events it appears that the term "Philistine"
represents "Palestinian". The name "Palestine" is derived from the Latin word
for "Philistia".
Jeremiah 48
[Jeremiah 48:1] AGAINST MOAB THUS SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS, THE GOD OF ISRAEL;
WOE UNTO NEBO! FOR IT IS SPOILED: KIRIATHAIM IS CONFOUNDED AND TAKEN: MISGAB IS
CONFOUNDED AND DISMAYED.
Moab today is one of the European nations. But which one"
Austria" Hungary" One of the Baltic States" Poland" All of these nations were
once in the Middle East and have Biblical identities. Craig White and others
have done important work tracing these nations back to their origins. In some
cases these identifications may be correct and in other cases perhaps not, or
only in part. Even when the identifications made are not correct they often
provide informational leads that are useful in other cases.
All nations of the world are mixed. We cannot
point to any one nation (especially not a European one) and say that it is
comprised of any one ancient people. Nevertheless within each nation there are
usually several main elements that from time to time achieve dominance. We may
thus say that to a degree a certain nation contains a significant proportion of
people of certain ancestry and these people in certain circumstance determine
may determine the character and actions of the nation as a whole.
In ancient times the territory of Moab was east of the Jordan neighboring Gad,
Reuben, and the eastern half of Menasseh.
The Israelites had conquered the area to the north of Moab from Sihon King of
Heshbon (Numbers 32;38) but apparently this area had belonged to Moab
previously. Around 850 BCE Misha the King of Moab conqueredthis northern area
from the Tribe of Reuben, destroyed the Sanctuary that was there and
exterminated the inhabitants of the major city, Nebo. Around 800 BCE the area
was reconquered by Israelites with the assistance of Judah. Tiglathpileser
conquered the region in ca 733 BCE and exiled the Israelite inhabitants to areas
with the Assyrian Empire. The region was then returned by Assyria to the
Moabites. The Moabites were allies of the Assyrians and assisted them against
other peoples. Eventually Moab was defeated by the Babylonians and
disappeared.
[Jeremiah 48:2] THERE SHALL BE NO MORE PRAISE OF MOAB: IN HESHBON THEY HAVE
DEVISED EVIL AGAINST IT; COME, AND LET US CUT IT OFF FROM BEING A NATION. ALSO
THOU SHALT BE CUT DOWN, O MADMEN; THE SWORD SHALL PURSUE
THEE.
[Jeremiah 48:3] A VOICE OF CRYING SHALL BE FROM HORONAIM, SPOILING AND GREAT
DESTRUCTION.
[Jeremiah 48:4] MOAB IS DESTROYED; HER LITTLE ONES HAVE CAUSED A CRY TO BE
HEARD.
[Jeremiah 48:5] FOR IN THE GOING UP OF LUHITH CONTINUAL WEEPING SHALL GO UP; FOR
IN THE GOING DOWN OF HORONAIM THE ENEMIES HAVE HEARD A CRY OF
DESTRUCTION.
[Jeremiah 48:6] FLEE, SAVE YOUR LIVES, AND BE LIKE THE HEATH IN THE
WILDERNESS.
[Jeremiah 48:7] FOR BECAUSE THOU HAST TRUSTED IN THY WORKS AND IN THY TREASURES,
THOU SHALT ALSO BE TAKEN: AND CHEMOSH SHALL GO FORTH INTO CAPTIVITY WITH HIS
PRIESTS AND HIS PRINCES TOGETHER.
[Jeremiah 48:8] AND THE SPOILER SHALL COME UPON EVERY CITY, AND NO CITY SHALL
ESCAPE: THE VALLEY ALSO SHALL PERISH, AND THE PLAIN SHALL BE DESTROYED, AS THE
LORD HATH SPOKEN.
[Jeremiah 48:9] GIVE WINGS UNTO MOAB, THAT IT MAY FLEE AND GET AWAY: FOR THE
CITIES THEREOF SHALL BE DESOLATE, WITHOUT ANY TO DWELL
THEREIN.
[Jeremiah 48:10] CURSED BE HE THAT DOETH THE WORK OF THE LORD DECEITFULLY, AND
CURSED BE HE THAT KEEPETH BACK HIS SWORD FROM BLOOD.
[Jeremiah 48:11] MOAB HATH BEEN AT EASE FROM HIS YOUTH, AND HE HATH SETTLED ON
HIS LEES, AND HATH NOT BEEN EMPTIED FROM VESSEL TO VESSEL, NEITHER HATH HE GONE
INTO CAPTIVITY: THEREFORE HIS TASTE REMAINED IN HIM, AND HIS SCENT IS NOT
CHANGED.
[Jeremiah 48:12] THEREFORE, BEHOLD, THE DAYS COME, SAITH THE LORD, THAT I WILL
SEND UNTO HIM WANDERERS, THAT SHALL CAUSE HIM TO WANDER, AND SHALL EMPTY HIS
VESSELS, AND BREAK THEIR BOTTLES.
[Jeremiah 48:13] AND MOAB SHALL BE ASHAMED OF CHEMOSH, AS THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL
WAS ASHAMED OF BETHEL THEIR CONFIDENCE.
[Jeremiah 48:14] HOW SAY YE, WE ARE MIGHTY AND STRONG MEN FOR THE
WAR"
[Jeremiah 48:15] MOAB IS SPOILED, AND GONE UP OUT OF HER CITIES, AND HIS CHOSEN
YOUNG MEN ARE GONE DOWN TO THE SLAUGHTER, SAITH THE KING, WHOSE NAME IS THE LORD
OF HOSTS.
[Jeremiah 48:16] THE CALAMITY OF MOAB IS NEAR TO COME, AND HIS AFFLICTION
HASTETH FAST.
[Jeremiah 48:17] ALL YE THAT ARE ABOUT HIM, BEMOAN HIM; AND ALL YE THAT KNOW HIS
NAME, SAY, HOW IS THE STRONG STAFF BROKEN, AND THE BEAUTIFUL
ROD!
[Jeremiah 48:18] THOU DAUGHTER THAT DOST INHABIT DIBON, COME DOWN FROM THY
GLORY, AND SIT IN THIRST; FOR THE SPOILER OF MOAB SHALL COME UPON THEE, AND HE
SHALL DESTROY THY STRONG HOLDS.
[Jeremiah 48:19] O INHABITANT OF AROER, STAND BY THE WAY, AND ESPY; ASK HIM THAT
FLEETH, AND HER THAT ESCAPETH, AND SAY, WHAT IS DONE"
[Jeremiah 48:20] MOAB IS CONFOUNDED; FOR IT IS BROKEN DOWN: HOWL AND CRY; TELL
YE IT IN ARNON, THAT MOAB IS SPOILED,
[Jeremiah 48:21] AND JUDGMENT IS COME UPON THE PLAIN COUNTRY; UPON HOLON, AND
UPON JAHAZAH, AND UPON MEPHAATH,
[Jeremiah 48:22] AND UPON DIBON, AND UPON NEBO, AND UPON BETHDIBLATHAIM,
[Jeremiah 48:23] AND UPON KIRIATHAIM, AND UPON BETHGAMUL, AND UPON BETHMEON,
[Jeremiah 48:24] AND UPON KERIOTH, AND UPON BOZRAH, AND UPON ALL THE CITIES OF
THE LAND OF MOAB, FAR OR NEAR.
[Jeremiah 48:25] THE HORN OF MOAB IS CUT OFF, AND HIS ARM IS BROKEN, SAITH THE
LORD.
[Jeremiah 48:26] MAKE YE HIM DRUNKEN: FOR HE MAGNIFIED HIMSELF AGAINST THE LORD:
MOAB ALSO SHALL WALLOW IN HIS VOMIT, AND HE ALSO SHALL BE IN
DERISION.
[Jeremiah 48:27] FOR WAS NOT ISRAEL A DERISION UNTO THEE? WAS HE FOUND AMONG
THIEVES? FOR SINCE THOU SPAKEST OF HIM, THOU SKIPPEDST FOR
JOY.
[Jeremiah 48:28] O YE THAT DWELL IN MOAB, LEAVE THE CITIES, AND DWELL IN THE
ROCK, AND BE LIKE THE DOVE THAT MAKETH HER NEST IN THE SIDES OF THE HOLE'S
MOUTH.
[Jeremiah 48:29] WE HAVE HEARD THE PRIDE OF MOAB, (HE IS EXCEEDING PROUD) HIS
LOFTINESS, AND HIS ARROGANCY, AND HIS PRIDE, AND THE HAUGHTINESS OF HIS
HEART.
[Jeremiah 48:30] I KNOW HIS WRATH, SAITH THE LORD; BUT IT SHALL NOT BE SO; HIS
LIES SHALL NOT SO EFFECT IT.
[Jeremiah 48:31] THEREFORE WILL I HOWL FOR MOAB, AND I WILL CRY OUT FOR ALL
MOAB; MINE HEART SHALL MOURN FOR THE MEN OF KIRHERES.
[Jeremiah 48:32] O VINE OF SIBMAH, I WILL WEEP FOR THEE WITH THE WEEPING OF
JAZER: THY PLANTS ARE GONE OVER THE SEA, THEY REACH EVEN TO THE SEA OF JAZER:
THE SPOILER IS FALLEN UPON THY SUMMER FRUITS AND UPON THY
VINTAGE.
[Jeremiah 48:33] AND JOY AND GLADNESS IS TAKEN FROM THE PLENTIFUL FIELD, AND
FROM THE LAND OF MOAB, AND I HAVE CAUSED WINE TO FAIL FROM THE WINEPRESSES: NONE
SHALL TREAD WITH SHOUTING; THEIR SHOUTING SHALL BE NO
SHOUTING.
[Jeremiah 48:34] FROM THE CRY OF HESHBON EVEN UNTO ELEALEH, AND EVEN UNTO JAHAZ,
HAVE THEY UTTERED THEIR VOICE, FROM ZOAR EVEN UNTO HORONAIM, AS AN HEIFER OF
THREE YEARS OLD: FOR THE WATERS ALSO OF NIMRIM SHALL BE
DESOLATE.
[Jeremiah 48:35] MOREOVER I WILL CAUSE TO CEASE IN MOAB, SAITH THE LORD, HIM
THAT OFFERETH IN THE HIGH PLACES, AND HIM THAT BURNETH INCENSE TO HIS
GODS.
[Jeremiah 48:36] THEREFORE MINE HEART SHALL SOUND FOR MOAB LIKE PIPES, AND MINE
HEART SHALL SOUND LIKE PIPES FOR THE MEN OF KIRHERES: BECAUSE THE RICHES THAT HE
HATH GOTTEN ARE PERISHED.
[Jeremiah 48:37] FOR EVERY HEAD SHALL BE BALD, AND EVERY BEARD CLIPPED: UPON ALL
THE HANDS SHALL BE CUTTINGS, AND UPON THE LOINS SACKCLOTH.
[Jeremiah 48:38] THERE SHALL BE LAMENTATION GENERALLY UPON ALL THE HOUSETOPS OF
MOAB, AND IN THE STREETS THEREOF: FOR I HAVE BROKEN MOAB LIKE A VESSEL WHEREIN
IS NO PLEASURE, SAITH THE LORD.
[Jeremiah 48:39] THEY SHALL HOWL, SAYING, HOW IS IT BROKEN DOWN! HOW HATH MOAB
TURNED THE BACK WITH SHAME! SO SHALL MOAB BE A DERISION AND A DISMAYING TO ALL
THEM ABOUT HIM.
[Jeremiah 48:40] FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD; BEHOLD, HE SHALL FLY AS AN EAGLE, AND
SHALL SPREAD HIS WINGS OVER MOAB.
[Jeremiah 48:41] KERIOTH IS TAKEN, AND THE STRONG HOLDS ARE SURPRISED, AND THE
MIGHTY MEN'S HEARTS IN MOAB AT THAT DAY SHALL BE AS THE HEART OF A WOMAN IN HER
PANGS.
[Jeremiah 48:42] AND MOAB SHALL BE DESTROYED FROM BEING A PEOPLE, BECAUSE HE
HATH MAGNIFIED HIMSELF AGAINST THE LORD.
[Jeremiah 48:43] FEAR, AND THE PIT, AND THE SNARE, SHALL BE UPON THEE, O
INHABITANT OF MOAB, SAITH THE LORD.
[Jeremiah 48:44] HE THAT FLEETH FROM THE FEAR SHALL FALL INTO THE PIT; AND HE
THAT GETTETH UP OUT OF THE PIT SHALL BE TAKEN IN THE SNARE: FOR I WILL BRING
UPON IT, EVEN UPON MOAB, THE YEAR OF THEIR VISITATION, SAITH THE
LORD.
[Jeremiah 48:45] THEY THAT FLED STOOD UNDER THE SHADOW OF HESHBON BECAUSE OF THE
FORCE: BUT A FIRE SHALL COME FORTH OUT OF HESHBON, AND A FLAME FROM THE MIDST OF
SIHON, AND SHALL DEVOUR THE CORNER OF MOAB, AND THE CROWN OF THE HEAD OF THE
TUMULTUOUS ONES.
[Jeremiah 48:46] WOE BE UNTO THEE, O MOAB! THE PEOPLE OF CHEMOSH PERISHETH: FOR
THY SONS ARE TAKEN CAPTIVES, AND THY DAUGHTERS CAPTIVES.
[Jeremiah 48:47] YET WILL I BRING AGAIN THE CAPTIVITY OF MOAB IN THE LATTER
DAYS, SAITH THE LORD. THUS FAR IS THE JUDGMENT OF MOAB.
God promises to retain the exiles of Moab to their own
land. Similar prophecies were made concerning Amon, Egpt, and
Elam.
 Jeremiah chs. 41 to 44 |
