Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryJeremiah 48

Moab. This country occupied the tableland to the east of the Dead Sea. Its people were related to the Hebrews, being descended from Lot, the nephew of Abraham (Gen. 19:36, 37). When Israel settled in Canaan, the territory of Moab lay between the river Arnon and the brook Zered. The tribe of Reuben occupied the country to the north. David included Moab in his empire (2 Sam. 8:2, 11, 12; 1 Chron. 18:2, 11). The northern kingdom of Israel attempted to maintain a measure of control over it (see on 2 Kings 1:1). At the end of Ahab’s reign, when Ahaziah ascended the throne, a certain Mesha revolted against Israel and established Moab as an independent kingdom (2 Kings 3:4–27), including in his territories that which had previously been held by the tribe of Reuben. He recorded his conquests on a slab of black basalt, today known as the Moabite Stone. This inscription was discovered in 1868 at Dibon, and is now in the Louvre at Paris (see Additional Note on 2 Kings 3). Moab continued as an independent kingdom until the Westland was overwhelmed by the Assyrians in the 8th century B.C. Chapter 48 lists a number of Moabite cities to come under the scourge of the Babylonians. Of the 25 places named, 21 can be reasonably identified. All but four of these places were within the territories north of the Arnon which were assigned to Israel at the time of the settlement of Canaan, and which were taken from her upon the revolt of Moab in the 9th century B.C. In fact, Mesha lists 11 of the places mentioned in this chapter as among those he took from Israel. He claims, furthermore, to have added 100 towns to his land (see Additional Note on 2 Kings 3). Thus Jeremiah seems particularly to describe God’s judgments upon those Moabites living in the former territory of the tribe of Reuben. Nebo. Not to be confused with the Babylonian god (Isa. 46:1), or Mt. Nebo (Deut. 32:49). Here Nebo designates a city, as in Num. 32:38, probably lying near Mt. Nebo, east of the northern end of the Dead Sea. On the Moabite Stone, Mesha mentions taking this city from Israel (see Additional Note on 2 Kings 3). Kiriathaim. A place about 7 mi. (11.2 km. north of the river Arnon, now known as el–Qereiyât. Mesha refers to it under the name Qiryathan, and claims to have built it (see Additional Note on 2 Kings 3). Misgab. The site of Misgab is unknown. The Hebrew word appears in Isa. 25:12, translated by the KJV as “high fort.” Heshbon. A city 151/4 mi. (24.4 km.) east-northeast of the north end of the Dead Sea. It had been in the territory of Reuben, taken from Sihon the Amorite when Israel entered Canaan (see Num. 32:33, 37). But Jeremiah’s Heshbon was no longer in Jewish hands. Excavation of Tell Hesbân has yielded remains from the time of Jeremiah and of the early monarchy, when it was renowned for its fishpools (S. of Sol. 7:4). Devised. Heb. chashab. There is a wordplay here, the Hebrew for Heshbon being Cheshbon. This device is a good illustration of the strong poetic tone that runs through the prophecy. Verse 2 seems to indicate that in Jeremiah’s time Heshbon was the center of a plot against the Moabites. Madmen. The site is uncertain, though it may be the modern Khirbet Dimneh, about 91/2 mi. (15.2 km.) east of the tongue that extends into the Dead Sea on its eastern side.

Ellen G. White

Horonaim. The site of this place is unknown. It is the Hauronen that Mesha states he took from Israel at the command of Chemosh (see Additional Note on 2 Kings 3).

Going up of Luhith. Or, “ascent of Luhith.” Doubtless a road, but the location is not known. It may have led through one of the many wadies, or deep narrow river beds, that cut through the highlands of Moab and lead down to the Dead Sea. Horonaim. See on v. 3.

Heath. Heb. ‘aro‘er, from the root ‘arar, “to strip oneself.” The reference here is probably to the juniper, or tamarisk, tree, which in its stripped appearance was a fitting symbol for the desolation of the Moabite refugees. There is a subtle wordplay here that cannot be translated. The Hebrew word rendered “heath” is also the name of Aroer, one of the cities of Moab (see v. 19). The LXX reads “wild ass,” as if from the Heb. ‘arod, instead of ‘aro‘er. This reading has been adopted by the RSV. The figure of a wandering wild ass is indeed a fitting one for homeless refugees in the wilderness. However, the almost identical Hebrew word ‘ar‘ar in ch. 17:6 is rendered “wild tamarisk” by the LXX and “shrub” in the RSV, so that it appears safest to retain the reading of the Hebrew text.

Into captivity. The picture is that of the idols of captive peoples being carried into exile with their devotees (see Isa. 46:1, 2).

Valley. “The valley” and “the plain” refer to the two chief geographical features of Moabite territory, the eastern side of the Jordan valley, facing the Dead Sea, and the great plateau of Transjordan, rising nearly 4,000 feet above the valley and extending to the Arabian Desert.

Cursed. The pronouncement of a curse upon any whom God has chosen as His avengers who might hold back from delivering His appointed judgments, is a poetic way of emphasizing the inevitability of the predicted events.

Ellen G. White

Settled on his lees. Jeremiah compares Moab to wine that has never been drawn off into another container, and has thus absorbed the quality of its less, or dregs. Although their country had suffered varied political fortunes, the fact that the Moabites had never suffered deportation to a foreign land (they had “not been emptied from vessel to vessel”) may have tended to keep them from absorbing fresh views of the world and new outlooks on life. Thus their provincialism grew into a national self-content that resulted in their downfall.

Wanderers. Heb. ṣo‘im, “tilters,” that is, those who tilt vessels in order to pour out their contents.

Ashamed of Chemosh. A vivid contrast with the boastful declarations of Mesha (see the inscription on the Moabite Stone, translated in the Additional Note on 2 Kings 3). Ashamed of Beth-el. A reference to the idolatrous worship in the form of a calf, established by Jeroboam at Bethel, and continued generally throughout the history of the northern kingdom (see 1 Kings 12:26–29). As Israel found her idols powerless, so now Moab would find hers.

Daughter that dost inhabit Dibon. That is, the inhabitants of Dibon. Compare the expressions “daughter of Egypt” (ch. 46:11), “daughter of Judah” (Lam. 1:15), “daughter of Zion” (Lam. 2:10). Dibon, the modern Dhībân, was an important city in the southern part of the territory formerly occupied by Reuben, 31/4 mi. (5.2 km.) north of the Arnon

and 12 mi. (19.2 km.) east of the Dead Sea. It lay on the great Derek ham–melek, or King’s Highway (the “high way” of Deut. 2:27), which in ancient times was the main thoroughfare running north and south through Transjordan. Dibon was a campsite of the Israelites on their way into Canaan (see Num. 33:45, 46), was later rebuilt by the tribe of Gad (Num. 32:34), and was afterward included in the territories of Reuben. On the Moabite Stone, Mesha records that Dibon was among those cities he took from Israel and added to the kingdom of Moab (see Additional Note on 2 Kings 3).

Aroer. Either a town now called ‘Arâ‘ir, 31/8 mi. (5 km.) southeast of Dibon and mentioned as captured from Israel by Mesha (see Additional Note on 2 Kings 3), or an unidentified site near Rabbah (Joshua 13:25); but not the Aroer of 1 Sam. 30:28. Way. Heb. derek. Probably a reference to the King’s Highway (see on v. 18), upon which Aroer was situated. This thoroughfare was the natural route for Moabite refugees to take when fleeing the approaching Babylonians from the north. Here Jeremiah ironically calls upon the people of Aroer to go forth and behold their fellow countrymen fleeing southward along the highway before the invaders.

In Arnon. Or, “by the Arnon” (RSV). The Arnon was the most important river of Moab. It ran west from the plateau into the Dead Sea and marked the southern boundary of the tribe of Reuben when Israel held that territory.

Plain country. See on v. 8. Holon. Possibly a place near Medeba, though the exact site is unknown. Jahazah. Though to be either the modern Jālûl or Khirbet et–Teim, near Medeba in what was formerly northern Reuben. It was here that Israel overthrew Sihon, king of the Amorites (see Num. 21:23, 24). The Moabite Stone refers to it as Jahaz and says it was the headquarters of the Israelite king during the war with Mesha. The Moabite boasts that his god, Chemosh, drove the Israelites from Jahaz (see Additional Note on 2 Kings 3). Mephaath. Possibly the modern Tell ej–Jâwah, about 7 mi. (11.2 km.) south of Rabbath-ammon.

Dibon. See on v. 18. Nebo. See on v. 1. Beth-diblathaim. It is not certain whether this is identical with Almon-diblathaim, where Israel camped before entering Canaan (Num. 33:46). The latter is thought to be the modern Khirbet Deleitlât esh–Sherqîyeh in what was formerly central Reuben. Beth- diblathaim appears as Beth–diblathen on the Moabite Stone, where Mesha claims to have built it (see Additional Note on 2 Kings 3). Khirbet Deleilât esh–Sherqîyeh is about 7 mi. (11.2 km.) south of Medeba.

Kiriathaim. See on v. 1. Beth-gamul. The modern Khirbet ej–Jumeil, about 7 mi. (11.2 km.) east-southeast of Dibon, in what was formerly southern Reuben. Beth-meon. This is now known as Ma‘în, about 41/2 mi. (7.2 km. southwest of Medeba. It is identical with Baal-meon, which the people of Reuben built (see Num. 32:37, 38), and also Beth-baal-meon (in Joshua 13:15–21). Mesha refers to it in the Moabite Stone by both of these latter names and says that he built (meaning rebuilt) the

city (see Additional Note on 2 Kings 3). The extent of its present-day ruins indicates that it must have been a place of importance. Ezekiel classes it with two other cities as “the glory of the country” of Moab (Eze. 25:9). A possible reason for the variety of its names is suggested by the statement that the people of Reuben changed its name (see Num. 32:38). Evidently the change was from the heathen Baal-meon, literally, “Baal of habitation,” to Beth-meon, literally, “house of habitaion.” Thereafter the old name and the new seem sometimes to have been fused into Beth-baal-meon, literally, “house of the Baal of habitation.”

Kerioth. This place has not been identified. It is mentioned on the Moabite Stone as the town to which Mesha brought Orel, the Israelite commander of Ataroth, “dragging him before Kemosh in Kerioth” (see Additional Note on 2 Kings 3). Bozrah. Probably the town of Beṣer mentioned as rebuilt by Mesha (see Additional Note on 2 Kings 3). The location is unknown. The city is to be distinguished from the Bozrah of Isa. 63:1 and Jer. 49:13, which was in Edom.

Horn. A symbol of strength. See on Lam. 2:3.

Found among thieves. To be detected as a thief is presented as a reason for great shame (see ch. 2:26). Here the prophet employs the same thought as a rhetorical question, presumably to emphasize the unreasonableness of Moab’s having despised Israel.

I know. This clause is emphatically expressed in the Hebrew. It is a powerful reassurance to downtrodden, despised Israel that the Lord knows the truth in spite of men’s pride and boasting, which Israel has heard (v. 29).

Kir-heres. Believed to be the same as the Kir-haraseth of 2 Kings 3:25 and the Kir-hareseth of Isa. 16:7, the modern el–Kerak in southern Moab. After referring to cities that had previously belonged to Israel, Jeremiah mentions a place in Moab proper. Kir- heres was one of the most important cities of Moab. Here Mesha took refuge from Israelite besiegers, and sacrificed his eldest son as a burnt offering upon the walls of the city (see 2 Kings 3:25–27).

Sibmah. A place near Heshbon, but the exact site is unknown. The locality was noted for its vineyards. Jazer. The location is uncertain, but is believed to have been west or northwest of Rabbath-ammon. It may be mentioned here to point out how far north the Moabite conquests had penetrated into Israel.

Shouting. The joyous shouting at the time of harvest, when the grapes were trodden in the wine press.

Elealeh. The modern el–‘Al, near Heshbon. Jahaz. See on v. 21. Zoar. A place in southern Moab, either near the shore, or now covered by the southeastern end of the Dead Sea. Horonaim. See on v. 3. Waters also of Nimrim. The Wâdī en–Numeirah, a watercourse leading into the southeastern end of the Dead Sea. The prophet pictures a cry of anguish ringing back and forth through both the northern and the southern part of Moabite territory, thus including the whole land (see Isa. 15:6).

High places. Heb. bamah. This term was originally used for a hill or mountain upon which worship was conducted. Later the word was used for artificial mounds, or platforms, and finally also for chapels where the gods were worshiped. A bamah discovered at Gezer revealed a series of subterranean caves, in which were found an altar and the bones of men, women, and children, and of various animals. Solomon erected a bamah to the Moabite god Chemosh near Jerusalem (see 1 Kings 11:7). The kings of Israel built bamoth in all their cities (see 2 Kings 17:9). These shrines were common also in Judah (see 1 Kings 22:43; 2 Kings 15:35; 16:4). They were destroyed in Judah by both Hezekiah (see 2 Kings 18:4) and Josiah (see 2 Kings 23:5). In the reform under Josiah, Jeremiah played a leading role.

Pipes. Heb. chalilim, literally, “the pierced ones.” These instruments were double flutes or oboes. The pipes were played in pairs, with the ends held apart, each hand fingering a separate pipe and thus producing separate tones. They were used particularly for rejoicing and mourning. It is the latter use to which Jeremiah doubtless has reference here. For a further description of these instruments see Vol. III, pp. 38, 39.

Every head. Shaving the head and beard and making gashes upon the body were common signs of mourning among ancient peoples (see Isa. 15:2, 3; Jer. 16:6).

As an eagle. A reference to the Babylonians (cf. Eze. 17:3–7).

Kerioth. See on v. 24.

Shall be destroyed. With the Babylonian exile, the Moabites practically disappeared as a people.

Fear, and the pit, and the snare. Heb. pachad wapachath wapach, a striking example of alliteration, demonstrating the poetic nature of Jeremiah’s utterance (see Lam. 3:47).

Visitation. See on ch. 46:21.

Heshbon. See on v. 2. Sihon. Compare Num. 21:28. Sihon, king of the Amorites, had taken from Moab the territory north of the river Arnon which was occupied by Reuben (see on Judges 11:19) and later reconquered by Moab (see on 2 Kings 3:5; see also Vol. II, pp. 864, 865). That area is here referred to by Sihon’s name. Tumultuous ones. Literally, “sons of tumult.” A reference to the Moabites (see Amos 2:2).

Chemosh. The god of the Moabites (see v. 7).

Bring again. A promise of hope, doubtless conditional (ch. 18:9, 10).