◄ Jeremiah 48:17 ►
Mourn for him, all you who surround him, everyone who knows his name; tell how the mighty scepter is shattered--the glorious staff!
Study Bible
Mourn for him, all you who surround him
This phrase calls for lamentation over Moab, a nation neighboring Israel. The call to mourn reflects the cultural practice of communal grieving, common in ancient Near Eastern societies. Moab, often in conflict with Israel, is now facing divine judgment. The surrounding nations, likely including those who had alliances or trade relations with Moab, are urged to mourn, indicating the widespread impact of Moab's downfall. This mourning can be seen as a recognition of God's sovereignty over all nations, not just Israel.

everyone who knows his name
Knowing a name in biblical terms often implies a deeper understanding or relationship. Here, it suggests that those familiar with Moab's reputation or history should lament its fate. Moab was known for its pride and idolatry, as seen in other scriptures like Isaiah 16 and Amos 2. The call to mourn by those who know Moab's name underscores the loss of a once-prominent nation and serves as a warning to others about the consequences of pride and rebellion against God.

tell how the mighty scepter is shattered
The scepter symbolizes authority and power, often associated with kingship. Moab's scepter being shattered signifies the end of its political power and influence. This imagery is consistent with biblical prophecies where God humbles the proud and powerful, as seen in Daniel 2:21. The shattering of the scepter is a fulfillment of divine judgment, illustrating that no earthly power can withstand God's will.

the glorious staff!
The staff, like the scepter, represents leadership and strength. Describing it as "glorious" highlights Moab's former prestige and the respect it commanded. The destruction of this staff indicates a complete loss of glory and honor. This serves as a reminder of the transient nature of human glory compared to the eternal glory of God. The imagery of a broken staff can also be seen as a type pointing to Christ, the true Shepherd, whose reign is unbreakable and eternal, contrasting with the temporary and fragile power of earthly rulers.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moab
An ancient nation located east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel. Moab is the subject of God's judgment in this chapter.

2. Jeremiah
The prophet who conveyed God's messages of judgment and hope to the nations, including Moab.

3. The Neighbors of Moab
Surrounding nations and peoples who are called to mourn for Moab's downfall.

4. The Mighty Scepter
Symbolizes Moab's power and authority, which is now broken.

5. The Glorious Staff
Represents Moab's strength and leadership, now shattered.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Pride
Moab's downfall serves as a warning against pride and self-reliance. Nations and individuals alike must recognize their dependence on God.

God's Sovereignty Over Nations
This passage reminds us that God is in control of all nations and their destinies. No power is beyond His reach.

The Call to Mourn
The surrounding nations are called to mourn for Moab, teaching us empathy and compassion even for those who face judgment.

The Fragility of Human Power
The broken scepter and staff symbolize the temporary nature of human authority and strength. True power and security are found in God alone.

The Role of Prophecy
Jeremiah's prophecy against Moab demonstrates the role of prophetic messages in calling nations to account and offering a chance for repentance.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the downfall of Moab illustrate the biblical principle that pride comes before a fall? Can you identify other biblical examples of this principle?

2. In what ways does God's judgment on Moab reflect His sovereignty over all nations? How should this influence our view of current world events?

3. Why are the neighbors of Moab called to mourn for its destruction? How can we apply this call to mourn in our own lives when we witness others facing consequences?

4. What does the imagery of the broken scepter and staff teach us about the nature of human power and authority? How can this understanding impact our personal ambitions and leadership roles?

5. How can the prophetic messages in the Bible, such as Jeremiah's prophecy against Moab, guide us in our spiritual growth and understanding of God's character?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 15-16
These chapters also pronounce judgment on Moab, providing a parallel account of Moab's downfall.

Psalm 60:8
This verse mentions Moab as a washbasin, symbolizing subjugation and judgment.

Ezekiel 25:8-11
Another prophecy against Moab, emphasizing God's sovereignty over nations.

Proverbs 16:18
Highlights the theme of pride leading to destruction, relevant to Moab's downfall.

Revelation 18:9-10
The lament over Babylon's fall echoes the mourning for Moab, illustrating the broader theme of divine judgment on prideful nations.
Sermons
The Strong Staff and the Beautiful RodW. R. Williams.Jeremiah 48:17
People
Chemosh, Gamul, Jeremiah, Sihon, Zoar
Places
Arnon, Aroer, Beth-diblathaim, Bethel, Beth-gamul, Beth-meon, Bozrah, Dibon, Elealeh, Heshbon, Holon, Horonaim, Jahaz, Jahzah, Jazer, Kerioth, Kir-hareseth, Kiriathaim, Luhith, Madmen, Mephaath, Moab, Nebo, Nimrim, Sea of Jazer, Sibmah, Zoar
Topics
Beautiful, Beauty, Bemoan, Branch, Broken, Fame, Glorious, Grief, Mighty, Mourn, Rod, Round, Scepter, Signs, Splendor, Staff, Strength, Strong
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 48:17

     5513   sceptre
     5952   sorrow

Jeremiah 48:16-17

     5801   brokenness

Jeremiah 48:16-18

     5857   fame

Library
August 8. "Be Like the Dove" (Jer. Xlviii. 28).
"Be like the dove" (Jer. xlviii. 28). Harmless as a dove, is Christ's interpretation of the beautiful emblem. And so the Spirit of God is purity itself. He cannot dwell in an unclean heart. He cannot abide in the natural mind. It was said of the anointing of old, "On man's flesh it shall not be poured." The purity which the Holy Spirit brings is like the white and spotless little plant which grows up out of the heap of manure, or the black soil, without one grain of impurity adhering to its crystalline …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

How those are to be Admonished who Decline the Office of Preaching Out of Too Great Humility, and those who Seize on it with Precipitate Haste.
(Admonition 26.) Differently to be admonished are those who, though able to preach worthily, are afraid by reason of excessive humility, and those whom imperfection or age forbids to preach, and yet precipitancy impells. For those who, though able to preach with profit, still shrink back through excessive humility are to be admonished to gather from consideration of a lesser matter how faulty they are in a greater one. For, if they were to hide from their indigent neighbours money which they possessed …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Balaam's Prophecy. (Numb. xxiv. 17-19. )
Carried by the Spirit into the far distant future, Balaam sees here how a star goeth out of Jacob and a sceptre riseth out of Israel, and how this sceptre smiteth Moab, by whose enmity the Seer had been brought from a distant region for the destruction of Israel. And not Moab only shall be smitten, but its southern neighbour, Edom, too shall be subdued, whose hatred against Israel had already been prefigured in its ancestor, and had now begun to display Itself; and In general, all the enemies of …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Meditations for the Sick.
Whilst thy sickness remains, use often, for thy comfort, these few meditations, taken from the ends wherefore God sendeth afflictions to his children. Those are ten. 1. That by afflictions God may not only correct our sins past, but also work in us a deeper loathing of our natural corruptions, and so prevent us from falling into many other sins, which otherwise we would commit; like a good father, who suffers his tender babe to scorch his finger in a candle, that he may the rather learn to beware …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Jeremiah 48:17 NIV
Jeremiah 48:17 NLT
Jeremiah 48:17 ESV
Jeremiah 48:17 NASB
Jeremiah 48:17 KJV

Jeremiah 48:17 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Jeremiah 48:16
Top of Page
Top of Page