Jeremiah 48:15-17

48:15 Moab will be destroyed. Its towns will be invaded.

Its finest young men will be slaughtered. ¹ 

I, the King, the Lord who rules over all, ²  affirm it! ³ 

48:16 Moab’s destruction is at hand.

Disaster will come on it quickly.

48:17 Mourn for that nation, all you nations living around it,

all of you nations that know of its fame. ⁴ 

Mourn and say, ‘Alas, its powerful influence has been broken!

Its glory and power have been done away!’ ⁵ 

[48:15]  ¹ tn Heb “will go down to the slaughter.”

[48:15]  ² tn Heb “Yahweh of armies.” For an explanation of the translation and meaning of this title see the study note on 2:19.

[48:15]  ³ tn Heb “Oracle of the King whose name is Yahweh of armies.” The first person form has again been adopted because the Lord is the speaker throughout this oracle/ these oracles (cf. v. 1).

[48:17]  ⁴ 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.

[48:17]  ⁵ 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.