48:17 Mourn for that nation, all you nations living around it,
all of you nations that know of its fame. 1
Mourn and say, ‘Alas, its powerful influence has been broken!
Its glory and power have been done away!’ 2
1 tn For the use of the word “name” (שֵׁם, shem) to “fame” or “repute” see BDB 1028 s.v. שֵׁם 2.b and compare the usage in Ezek 16:14; 2 Chr 26:15.
2 tn Heb “How is the strong staff broken, the beautiful rod.” “How” introduces a lament which is here rendered by “Alas.” The staff and rod refer to the support that Moab gave to others not to the fact that she ruled over others which was never the case. According to BDB 739 s.v. עוֹז 1 the “strong staff” is figurative of political power.
3 tn Heb “in three years, like the years of a hired worker.” The three years must be reckoned exactly, just as a hired worker would carefully keep track of the time he had agreed to work for an employer in exchange for a predetermined wage.
4 tn Heb “and the splendor of Moab will be disgraced with all the great multitude, and a small little remnant will not be strong.”