Jeremiah 48:34
There is a cry from Heshbon to Elealeh; they raise their voices to Jahaz, from Zoar to Horonaim and Eglath-shelishiyah; for even the waters of Nimrim have dried up.
There is a cry from Heshbon to Elealeh;
Heshbon and Elealeh were cities in the territory of Moab, often mentioned together in the Bible. Heshbon was a significant city, once an Amorite capital, and later a Levitical city in the tribe of Reuben. The cry from these cities signifies distress and lamentation, likely due to impending judgment or invasion. This reflects the broader theme of divine judgment against Moab, a nation often in conflict with Israel.

they raise their voices to Jahaz,
Jahaz was a site of a significant battle where Israel defeated Sihon, king of the Amorites, as recorded in Numbers 21:23-24. The raising of voices to Jahaz indicates a call for help or a warning of danger. This location is symbolic of past victories and current desperation, highlighting the reversal of fortunes for Moab.

from Zoar to Horonaim and Eglath-shelishiyah;
Zoar, Horonaim, and Eglath-shelishiyah were towns in Moab. Zoar is historically linked to Lot's escape from Sodom (Genesis 19:22-23). Horonaim is mentioned in other prophetic texts as a place of lament (Isaiah 15:5). Eglath-shelishiyah, meaning "the third Eglath," suggests a specific location or a notable event. The mention of these towns underscores the widespread nature of the calamity affecting Moab.

for even the waters of Nimrim have dried up.
The waters of Nimrim were likely a vital water source for the region, and their drying up symbolizes severe drought or divine judgment. This imagery of dried waters is often used in the Bible to depict desolation and the removal of God's blessing. It serves as a metaphor for the spiritual barrenness and impending doom facing Moab, aligning with the prophetic theme of judgment throughout Jeremiah.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Heshbon
A significant city in Moab, often associated with the Amorites and later the Israelites. It was a center of power and influence.

2. Elealeh
A town near Heshbon, known for its vineyards and fertile land, often mentioned in conjunction with Heshbon.

3. Jahaz
A location where the Israelites fought and defeated Sihon, king of the Amorites, during their journey to the Promised Land.

4. Zoar
A small city near the Dead Sea, known as a place of refuge for Lot during the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

5. Horonaim
A Moabite city, mentioned in the context of judgment and lamentation.

6. Eglath-shelishiyah
A location in Moab, possibly a third district or a notable place within Moab.

7. Nimrim
Known for its waters, which are described as becoming desolate, symbolizing the judgment and devastation upon Moab.
Teaching Points
The Certainty of God's Judgment
God's judgment is thorough and affects all areas of life, as seen in the desolation of Moab's cities and waters. This reminds us of the seriousness of sin and the certainty of divine justice.

The Lament of the Nations
The outcry from various cities illustrates the universal impact of God's judgment. It serves as a call to repentance and a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God.

The Importance of Repentance
The desolation of Moab serves as a warning to all nations and individuals to turn back to God. Repentance is crucial to avoid the fate of those who persist in rebellion.

God's Sovereignty Over Nations
The passage underscores God's control over all nations, reminding us that no power or city is beyond His reach or authority.

Hope Amidst Judgment
While the passage focuses on judgment, it also points to the hope of restoration for those who turn back to God, as seen in other prophetic writings.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the desolation of Moab's cities in Jeremiah 48:34 reflect the broader theme of God's judgment in the Bible?

2. In what ways can the lament of Moab serve as a warning to modern nations and individuals?

3. How do the historical events associated with the cities mentioned in Jeremiah 48:34 enhance our understanding of this passage?

4. What lessons can we learn about God's sovereignty from the judgment pronounced on Moab?

5. How can we find hope and encouragement in the midst of passages that focus on judgment and desolation?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 15-16
These chapters also pronounce judgment on Moab, echoing the themes of lamentation and desolation found in Jeremiah 48.

Numbers 21
Describes the conquest of Heshbon and the surrounding regions by the Israelites, providing historical context to the cities mentioned.

Genesis 19
The account of Lot and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, highlighting Zoar as a place of refuge.
Concerning PrideS. Conway
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
Cry, Desolate, Desolations, Dried, Dry, Eglath, Eglath-shelishijah, Eglath-shelishiyah, Eg'lath-shelish'iyah, Elaleh, Elealeh, Ele-a'leh, Heifer, Heshbon, Horonaim, Horona'im, Jahaz, Nimrim, Outcry, Raised, Rises, Shelishiyah, Sounding, Third, Utter, Uttered, Voice, Waters, Zoar, Zo'ar
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 48:34

     4819   dryness

Jeremiah 48:31-36

     1135   God, suffering of

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 48:34 NIV
Jeremiah 48:34 NLT
Jeremiah 48:34 ESV
Jeremiah 48:34 NASB
Jeremiah 48:34 KJV

Jeremiah 48:34 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Jeremiah 48:33
Top of Page
Top of Page