Desolation of A. M. cir. 3420. CHAP. XLVIII. For because thou hast trusted the LORD, that I will send unto in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and P Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together. 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. 9 Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell therein. V 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. 12 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith P Num. xxi. 29; Judg. xi. 24; see Isa. xlvi. 1, 2; chap. xliii. 12.- - Chap. xlix. 3. Chap. vi. 26; ver. 18.- Psa. lv. 6; ver. 28. See Judg. v. 23; 1 Sam. xv. 3, 9; 1 Kings XX. 42.-u Or, negligently. Zeph. i., 12.- w Heb. stood. the Moabites.. A. M. cin 3420. B. C. cir. 584. Χ 13 And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel y was ashamed of Bethel their confidence. 14 How say ye, a We are mighty and strong men for the war? d 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. 16 The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast. 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! '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. Verse 6. Flee, save your lives] The enemy is in They let them rest upon their lees for a considerable full pursuit of you. Be like the heath] y caaroer, "like Aroer;" which some take for a city, others for a blasted or withered tree. It is supposed that a place of this name lay towards the north, in the land of the Ammonites, on a branch of the river Jabbok; surrounded by deserts. Save yourselves by getting into the wilderness, where the pursuing foe will scarcely think it worth his while to follow you, as the wilderness itself must soon destroy you. Verse 7. Chemosh shall go forth into captivity] The grand national idol of the Moabites, Num, xxi. 29; Judg. xi. 24. Ancient idolaters used to take their gods with them to the field of battle. This was probably in imitation of the Israelites, who took the ark with them in such cases. Verse 9. Give wings unto Moab] There is no hope in resistance, and to escape requires the speediest flight. I cannot conceive how Dahler came to translate thus: Tirez Moab par les chevaux, "Drag Moab away by the hair of the head." Verse 10. Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully] Moab is doomed to destruction, and the Lord pronounces a curse on their enemies if they do not proceed to utter extirpation. God is the Author of life, and has a sovereign right to dispose of it as he pleases; and these had forfeited theirs long ago by their idolatry and other crimes. Verse 11. Moab hath been at ease] The metaphor here is taken from the mode of preserving wines. time, as this improves them both in strength and flavour; and when this is sufficiently done, they rack, or pour them off into other vessels. Moab had been very little molested by war since he was a nation; he had never gone out of his own land. Though some had been carried away by Shalmaneser forty years before this, he has had neither wars nor captivity. Therefore his taste remained in him] Still carrying on the allusion to the curing of wines; by resting long upon the lees, the taste and smell are both improved. See the note on Isa. xxv. 6. Verse 12. I will send unto him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander] Dr. Blayney renders D`yy tsaim, tilters; those who elevate one end of the wine. cask when nearly run out, that the remains of the liquor may be the more effectually drawn off at the cock. And this seems to be well supported by the following words,And shall empty his vessels] I will send such as will carry the whole nation into captivity, Verse 13. Beth-el their confidence.] Alluding to the golden calves which Jeroboam had there set up, and commanded all the Israelites to worship. Verse 17. How is the strong staff broken] The sceptre. The sovereignty of Moab is destroyed. Verse 18. That dost inhabit Dibon] This was anciently a city of the Reubenites, afterwards inhabited by the Moabites, about two leagues north of the river Arnon, and about six to the east of the Dead Sea.Dahler. 21 And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath, 22 And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Beth-diblathaim, 30 I know his wrath, saith A. M. cir. 3420 the LORD; but it shall not be so his blies shall not so effect it. 31 Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kir-heres. cir. annum 33. 32O 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. e 33 And joy and gladness is taken from the 23 And upon Kiriathaim, and upon Beth-ga- plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; mul, and upon Beth-meon, and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting. 24 And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near. r 34 From the cry of Heshbon even unto 25 The horn of Moab is cut off, and his Elealeh, and even unto Jahaz, have they arm is broken, saith the LORD. Heb. inhabitress.- - Deut. ii. 36.m1 Sam. iv. 13, 16. Isa. xiv. 7.- -° See Num. xxi. 13.- -P Ver: 8.9 Ver. 41. Amos ii. 2. r Psa. lxxv. 10.- See Ezek. xxx. 21.- -t Ch. xxv. 15, 27. Zeph. i.-8.- -See chap. ii. 26.- w Or, movedst thyself.- Psa. Iv. 6, 7; ver. 9.- -y Cant. ii. 14. 2 Isa. xvi. 6, &c.—a Isa. xvi. 6; chap. 1. 36. Verse 19. O inhabitant of Aroer] See the note on ver. 6. This place, being at a greater distance, is counselled to watch for its own safety, and inquire of every passenger, What is done? that it may know when to pack up and be gone. Verse 20. Tell ye it in Arnon] Apprize the inhabitants there that the territories of Moab are invaded, and the country about to be destroyed, that they may provide for their own safety. Verse 21. Upon Holon, &c.] All these were cities of the Moabites, but several of them are mentioned in no other place. Verse 25. The horn of Moab is cut off. and his arm is broken] His political and physical powers are no more. Verse 27. Was not Israel a derision unto thee] Didst thou not mock my people, and say their God uttered their voice,, from Zoar even unto Horonaim, as a heifer of three years old for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate. 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 36 Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kir-heres: because the riches that he hath gotten are perished 37 For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth. m. 38. There shall be lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the bOr, those on whom he stayeth (Heb. his bars) do not right. e Isa. xv. 2; xvi. 7, 11. Isa. xvi. 8, 9. Le Isa. xvi. 10; Joel i. 12.- Isa. xv. 4, 5, 6.- Isa. xv. 5, 6; ver. 5. Heb. desolations. i Isa. xv. 2; xvi. 12.- Isa. xv. 5; xvi. 11. Isa. xv. 7.—m Isa. xv. 2, 3; chap. xlvii. 5.——— Heb. diminished. Gen. xxxvii. 34. was no better than the gods of other nations? See Ezek. xxv. 8. Was he found among thieves?]. Did the Israelites come to rob and plunder you? Why then mock them, and rejoice at their desolation, when their enemies prevailed over them? This the Lord particularly resents. 1 Verse 28. Dwell in the rock] Go to the most inaccessible places in the mountains. The hole's mouth.] And into the most secret caves and holes of the earth. Verse 29. The pride of Moab] See on Isa. xvi. 1. Verse 32. O vine of Sibmah] See on Isa. xvi. 8. Verse 34. As a heifer of three years old] Which runs lowing from place to place in search of her calf, which is lost or taken from her. Verse 37. For every head shall be bala̸] These, as Total destruction of A. M. cir. 3420. B. C. cir. 584. Ol. XLIX. 1. streets thereof: for I have broken | upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, 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. 40 For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab. 42 And Moab shall be destroyed being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the LORD. A. M. cir. 3420. B. C. cir. 584. Tarquinii Prisci cir. annum 33. R. Roman., 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. 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. b C a 46 Wo be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives. d 47 Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. 43 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, shall be Thus far is the judgment of Moab. P Chap. xxii. 28. Heb. neck. -r Deut. xxviii. 49; chap. xlix. 22; Dan. vii. 4; Hos. viii. 1; Hab. i. 8.————— Isa. viii. 8. Ver. 24.- u Or, The cities. Isa. xiii. 8; xxi. 3; chap. xxx. 6; xlix. 22, 24; 1. 43'; li. 30; Mic. iv. 9.we have seen before, were signs of the deepest distress and desolation. Verse 40. He shall fly as an eagle] The enemy will pounce upon him, carry him off, and tear him to pieces. Verse 42. Moab shall be destroyed from being a people] They shall not have a king or civil governor and I doubt whether, there be any evidence that they were ever reinstated in their national character. They were captivated by the Chaldeans; and probably many returned with the Jews on the edict of Cyrus: but as to their being an independent nation after this, where is the positive proof? Verse 43. Fear, and the pit, and the snare] See the note on Isa. xxiv. 17, 18. Verse 45. They that fled stood under the shadow of Heshbon] Heshbon being a fortified place, they who were worsted in the fight fled to it, and rallied under its walls; but, instead of safety, they found themselves disappointed, betrayed, and ruined. See ver. 2, and the note there. But a fire shall come forth out of Heshbon] Jeremiah has borrowed this part of his discourse from an ancient poet quoted by Moses, Num. xxi. 28; where see the potes, W Psa. lxxxiii. 4; Isa. vii. 8.- Isa. xxiv. 17, 18. -y See chap. xi. 23. Ñum. xxi. 28.— Num. xxiv. 17.- b Heb children of noise. Num. xxi. 29. Heb. in captivity. Chap. xlix. 6, 39. The crown of the head] The choicest persons of the whole nation. Verse 46. The people of Chemosh] The Moabites, who worshipped Chemosh as their supreme god. Verse 47. Will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days] I have already expressed doubts (see ver. 42) whether the Moabites were ever restored to their national distinction. The expressions in this chapter, relative to their total destruction as a people, are so strong and so frequent, that they leave little room for a limited interpretation. That many of them returned on the edict of Cyrus, by virtue of which the Jews were restored, I doubt not; but neither the Ammonites, Moabites, Philistines, nor even the Jews them selves, were ever restored to their national consequence. Perhaps the restoration spoken of here, which was to take place in the latter days, may mean the conversion of these people, in their existing remnants, to the faith of the Gospel. Several judicious interpreters are of this opinion. The Moabites were partially restored; but never, as far as I have been able to learn, to their national consequence. Their conversion to the Christian faith must be the main end designed by this prophecy. CHAPTER XLIX. This chapter is a collection of prophecies relating to several nations in the neighbourhood of Judea; and, like those preceding, are supposed to have been fulfilled by the ministry of Nebuchadnezzar during the thirteen years' siege of Tyre. The chapter opens with a prophecy concerning the Ammonites, whose chief city, Rabbah, shall be destroyed; and Malcom, the supreme divinity of the people, with all his retinue of priests and officers, carried into captivity, 1–5. Promise that the Ammonites shall be restored to their liberty, 6... Prophecy against the Edomites, (very like that most dreadful one in the thirty-fourth chapter of Isaiah against the same people,) who shall be utterly exterminated, after the similitude of Sodom and The prophecy against JEREMIAH. the Ammonites. Gomorrah, 7-22. Prophecy against Damascus, 23-27; and against Kedar, 28, 29. Utter desolation of the kingdoms of Hazor foretold, 30-33. The polity of the Elamites shall be completely dissolved, and the people dispersed throughout the nations, 34-38. The Elamites shall be delivered from their captivity in the latter days, 39. It will be proper here to observe that these predictions should not be so explained as if they admitted of merely a private interpretation; for, as Bishop Lowth remarks upon Isaiah's prophecy concerning the Idumeans, " by a figure very common in the prophetical writings, any city or people, remarkably distinguished as enemies of the people and kingdom of God, is put for those enemies in general;" therefore, it is under the Gospel dispensation that these prophecies shall be accomplished to their fullest extent upon all the antichristian nations that have sinned after the similitude of the ancient enemies of the people of God under the Mosaic economy. A. M. cir. 3421. a 583. B. C. cir. 393. 'OI. XLIX. 2. Tarquinii Prisci, R. Roman., cir. annum 34. d CONCERNING the Am flowing valley, Obacksliding AM. cir. 3421. monites, thus saith the daughter? that trusted in her LORD; Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? why then doth their king inherit Gad, and his people dwell in his cities? 2 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be, heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the LORD. 3 Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, f 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. 4 Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, i thy NOTES ON CHAP. XLIX. Verse 1. CONCERning the AmmONITES] This prophetic discourse was also delivered after the capture of Jerusalem. Hath Israel no sons?—no heir?] The Ammonites, it appears, took advantage of the depressed state of Israel, and invaded their territories in the tribe of Gad, hoping to make them their own for ever. But the prophet intimates that God will preserve the descendants of Israel, and will bring them back to their forfeited inheritances. Why then doth their king] - Malcom or Milcom, the chief idol of the Ammonites. That the idol Milcom is here meant is sufficiently evident from ver. 3, where it is said: "Milcom (not their king) shall go into captivity; his PRIESTS and his princes together." Milcom is also called Molech. Malcom is put here for the Ammonites, as the people of Chemosh in the preceding chapter are put for the Moabites in general. come unto me? B. C. cir. 583 5 Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord GoD of hosts, from all those that be about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man right forth; and none shall gather up him that wandereth. 6 And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the LORD. 7 n A. M. cir. 3417. B. C. cir. 587. Ol XLVIII. 2. Tarquinii Prisci, R. Roman., Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? Pis counsel perished from the cir annum 30. prudent? is their wisdom vanished? 8 Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the cala S which are exhorted to seek safety somewhere else, as none can be expected from them, now that the enemy is at hand. Verse 4. Wherefore gloriest thou] Though thy valleys be fruitful, yet glory not in them. Though thou have much political and military power, do not trust in them, nor in the multitude of thy cities; a stronger than thou is coming against thee. Verse 6. Afterward I will bring again] The Ammonites are supposed to have returned with the Moabites and Israelites, on permission given by the edict of Cyrus. Verse 7. CONCERNING EDOM] This is a new and separate discourse. Teman] A part of Idumea, put here for the whole country. Verse 8. Dwell deep] An allusion to the custom of the Arabs, who, when about to be attacked by a pow erful foe, strike their tents, pack up their utensils, lade their camels, which they can do in a couple of hours, and set off to the great desert, and so bury themselves in it that no enemy either will or can pursue, as it is the Arabs alone that know the deserts, and can find 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 daugh-water and provender for their support. ters of Rabbah, the metropolis; the inhabitants of Dedan] Was a eity of Idumea, not far from Teman. The prophecy A. M. cir. 3417. B. C. cir. 587. 01. XLVIII. 2: Tarquinii Prisci, R. Roman, mity of Esau upon him, the time | saying, Gather ye together, and A. M. cir. 3417. that I will visit him. t 9 If grape-gatherers come to cir. annum 30. thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they will destroy till they have enough. 10 But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places; and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and w he is not. 11 Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me. Xx 12 For thus saith the LORD; Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and art thou he that shall altogether gó unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink of it. 13 For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes. 14 I have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, -Verse 9. If grape-gatherers] Both in vintage and harvest every grape and every stalk are not gathered; hence the gleaners get something for their pains: but your enemies shall not leave one of you behind; all shall be carried into captivity. Verse 10. I have made Esau bare] I have stripped him of all defence, and have discovered his hidingplaces to his enemies. Verse 11. Leave thy fatherless children] The connexion of this with the context is not easy to be discerned; but, as a general maxim, it is of great importance. Widows and orphans are the peculiar care of God. He is as the best of fathers to the one, and the most loving of husbands to the other. Even the widows and orphans of Esau, who escape the general destruction, shall be taken care of by the Lord. Verse 12. Art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished!] A similar form of speech appears, chap. Others, less wicked than thou, have been punished; and canst thou expect to escape? Thou XXV. 29. shalt not escape. Verse 13. Bozrah shall become a desolation] Boxrah, a city of Idumea, is here put for the whole country. Verse 14. I have heard a rumour] The Lord has revealed to me what he is about to do to the Edomites. An ambassador is sent] I believe this means only that God has given permission, and has stirred up the come against her, and rise up to the battle. b B. C. cir. 587. OL. XLVIII. 2. Tarquinii Prisci, R. Roman., cir. annum 30. 15 For, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, and despised among men. 16 Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD. 17 Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof. с d Job xxxix. 27.d Amos ix. 2.- Chap. xviii. 16; 1. 13. Gen. xix. 25; Deut. xxix. 23; chap. 1. 40; Amos iv. 11. Chap. 1. 44, &c.- Chap. xii. 5. Exod. xv. 11.-k Or, convent me in judgment. Job xli. 10. hearts of these nations to go against those whom he has doomed to destruction. Verse 16. O thou that dwellest] All Idumea is full of mountains and rocks, and these rocks and mountains full of caves, where, in time of great heats, and in time of war, the people take shelter. Verse 18. As in the overthrow of Sodom] The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbouring cities was so terrible, that, when God denounces judgments against incorrigible sinners, he tells them they shall be like Sodom and Gomorrah. No man shall abide there] It shall be so desolate as not to be habitable. Travellers may lodge on the ground for a night; but it cannot become a permanent dwelling. Verse 19. Behold, he shall come up like a lion] See the note on chap. xii. 5. The similitude used here is well illustrated by Dr. Blayney: "When I shall occasion a like commotion in her (Idumea) as a fierce and strong lion may be supposed to do in the sheepfolds, then I will cause him (the man of whom it is said in the preceding verse that he should not dwell in it) to run away from her as the affrighted shepherds and their flocks run from the lion." A chosen man] Nebuchadnezzar. That is, God has chosen this man, and given him a commission against Idumea. |