Albert Barnes

I will deliver them into the hands of those who seek their lives—of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers.

“Afterward ... - The invasion of Nebuchadnezzar is to be a passing calamity, the severity of which will be felt chiefly by the Jews, but no subjugation of Egypt is to be attempted, and after the Chaldaean army has withdrawn things will resume their former…”

But you, O Jacob My servant, do not be afraid, and do not be dismayed, O Israel.

“These two verses are a repetition of Jer 30:10-11, with those slight variations which Jeremiah always makes when quoting himself. Egypt’s fall and restoration have been foretold; but the prophet closes with a word of exhortation to the many erring Jews who dwelt there.”

This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet about the Philistines before Pharaoh struck down Gaza.

“that Pharaoh - Pharaoh-Necho though defeated at Carchemish, was probably able to seize Gaza upon his retreat, when obviously the possession of so strong a fortress would be most useful to him to prevent the entrance of the victorious Chaldaeans into Egypt.”

at the sound of the galloping hooves of stallions, the rumbling of chariots, and the clatter of their wheels.

“His strong horses - War-horses, chargers. The rushing of his chariots - Rather, the rattling, the crashing noise which they make as they advance.”

The people of Gaza will shave their heads in mourning; Ashkelon will be silenced. O remnant of their valley, how long will you gash yourself?

“Baldness - Extreme mourning (see Jer 16:6). Is cut off - Others render, is speechless through grief. With the remnant of their valley - Others, O remnant of their valley, how long wilt thou cut thyself?”

Concerning Moab, this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Woe to Nebo, for it will be devastated.

“Against Moab - Concerning Moab. Is confounded - Is brought to shame. Misgab - The high fort; some special fortress, probably Kir-haraseth 2Ki 3:25.”

For on the ascent to Luhith they weep bitterly as they go, and on the descent to Horonaim cries of distress resound over the destruction:

“Luhith was situated upon an eminence, and Jeremiah describes one set of weeping fugitives as pressing close upon another. In the going down of Horonaim ... - Rather, in the descent of Horonaim they have heard the distresses of the cry of breaking, i.”

Because you trust in your works and treasures, you too will be captured, and Chemosh will go into exile with his priests and officials.

“Works - Possibly the products of labor. The versions render fortifications. Chemosh - As the national god of Moab Num 21:29, he represents the whole land; and his being led into captivity implies the total ruin of those under his protection.”

The destroyer will move against every city, and not one town will escape.

“The valley - The lowlands on the east bank of the Jordan, and at the top of the Dead Sea. The plain - An upland pasture; it answers very much to downs: so in Jer 48:21.”

Moab has been at ease from youth, settled like wine on its dregs; he has not been poured from vessel to vessel or gone into exile.

“Moab from the time it conquered the Emims Deu 2:9-10, and so became a nation, had retained quiet possession of its land, and enjoyed comparative prosperity.”

Then Moab will be ashamed of Chemosh, just as the house of Israel was ashamed when they trusted in Bethel.

“Israel was ashamed of Beth-el - After Salmaneser had carried Israel away, they could trust no longer in the calf of Bethel established by Jeroboam.”

Moab has been destroyed and its towns have been invaded; the best of its young men have gone down in the slaughter, declares the King, whose name is the LORD…

“Rather, “Moab is spoiled,” and her cities have gone up, i. e., in smoke, have been burned Jos 8:20-21. Others render, “The waster of Moab and of her towns is coming up to the attack, and her chosen youths are gone down to the slaughter.””

Moab’s calamity is at hand, and his affliction is rushing swiftly.

“Near to come - Twenty-three years elapsed between the fourth year of Jehoiakim, when this prophecy was spoken, and its accomplishment by the invasion of Moab five years after the capture of Jerusalem. So slowly does God’s justice move onward.”

Mourn for him, all you who surround him, everyone who knows his name; tell how the mighty scepter is shattered—the glorious staff!

“The lamentation over Moab uttered by those “round about him,” i. e., the neighboring nations, and those “that know his name,” nations more remote, who know little more than that, there is such a people, takes the form of an elegy.”

Stand by the road and watch, O dweller of Aroer! Ask the man fleeing or the woman escaping, ‘What has happened?’

“Aroer - On the Arnon, due south of Dibon. If Dibon falls, the turn of Aroer will come next, and therefore its inhabitants are to be on the look out, asking for news.”

upon Dibon, Nebo, and Beth-diblathaim,

“Beth-diblathaim - i. e., “the house of the two cakes of figs,” perhaps so called from two hills in its neighborhood. Hos 1:3 note.”

upon Kiriathaim, Beth-gamul, and Beth-meon,

“Beth-meon - Meon is probably the Moabite Olympus, and thus Beth-Baal-Meon, the full name of this town Jos 13:17, would signify the place where the heavenly Baal was worshipped.”

upon Kerioth, Bozrah, and all the towns of Moab, those far and near.

“Kerioth - A synonym of Ar, the old capital of Moab. It appears to have been a considerable place, and has been identified with El-Korriat, situated on the long ridge of Mount Attarus. Bozrah - Probably the Bosora mentioned in 1 Macc.”

I know his insolence,” declares the LORD, “but it is futile. His boasting is as empty as his deeds.

“But it shall not be so - Most commentators translate, “I know, saith Jehovah, his arrogancy, and the emptiness of his boastings; they have worked emptiness.””

I will weep for you, O vine of Sibmah, more than I weep for Jazer. Your tendrils have extended to the sea; they reach even to Jazer.

“Or, “More than the weeping of Jazer” over its ruined vineyards “will I weep for thee, O vine of Sibmah.” Compare the marginal reference. Jazer lies in an upland valley about 15 miles north of Heshbon. Thy plants ...”

Joy and gladness are removed from the orchard and from the fields of Moab.

“Winepresses - Rather, “wine-vats,” into which the wine runs from the presses. Their shouting shall be no shouting - The vintage shout is - silence.”

Therefore My heart laments like a flute for Moab; it laments like a flute for the men of Kir-heres, because the wealth they acquired has perished.

“Like pipes - A wind instrument, used at funerals Mat 9:23. The riches that he hath gotten - literally, “that which remains over, a superfluity.””

“How shattered it is! How they wail! How Moab has turned his back in shame! Moab has become an object of ridicule and horror to all those around him.”

“Literally, “How is it broken down! they wail! How hath Moab tutored the back in shame! Yea, Moab is become a laughter and a terror Jer 17:17 to all who are round about him.””

For this is what the LORD says: “Behold, an eagle swoops down and spreads his wings against Moab.

“The rapid and irresistible attack of Nebuchadnezzar is compared to the impetuous dash of the eagle on its prey Deu 28:49.”

“Those who flee will stand helpless in Heshbon’s shadow, because fire has gone forth from Heshbon and a flame from within Sihon.

“Because of the force - Rather, without force. Translate it: “The fugitives have stood, (i. e., halted) powerless in the shadow of Heshbon.” As Heshbon was the capital of the Ammonites, the sense is that the defeated Moabites looked to Ammon for protection.”