Jeremiah 48:19

48:19 You who live in Aroer, ¹ 

stand by the road and watch.

Question the man who is fleeing and the woman who is escaping.

Ask them, ‘What has happened?’

Jeremiah 18:20

18:20 Should good be paid back with evil?

Yet they are virtually digging a pit to kill me. ² 

Just remember how I stood before you

pleading on their behalf ³ 

to keep you from venting your anger on them. ⁴ 

[48:19]  ¹ sn Aroer is probably the Aroer that was located a few miles south and west of Dibon on the edge of the Arnon River. It had earlier been the southern border of Sihon, king of Heshbon, and had been allotted to the tribe of Reuben (Josh 13:16). However, this whole territory had earlier been taken over by the Arameans (2 Kgs 10:33), later by the Assyrians, and at this time was in the hands of the Moabites.

[18:20]  ² tn Or “They are plotting to kill me”; Heb “They have dug a pit for my soul.” This is a common metaphor for plotting against someone. See BDB 500 s.v. כָּרָה Qal and for an example see Pss 7:16 (7:15 HT) in its context.

[18:20]  ³ tn Heb “to speak good concerning them” going back to the concept of “good” being paid back with evil.

[18:20]  ⁴ tn Heb “to turn back your anger from them.”