Jeremiah 48:17
All ye that are about him, bemoan him; and all ye that know his name, say, How is the strong staff broken, and the beautiful rod!
Original Language Analysis
נֻ֤דוּ
him bemoan
H5110
נֻ֤דוּ
him bemoan
Strong's:
H5110
Word #:
1 of 14
to nod, i.e., waver; figuratively, to wander, flee, disappear; also (from shaking the head in sympathy), to console, deplore, or (from tossing the hea
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
סְבִיבָ֔יו
All ye that are about
H5439
סְבִיבָ֔יו
All ye that are about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
4 of 14
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
וְכֹ֖ל
H3605
וְכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יֹדְעֵ֣י
him and all ye that know
H3045
יֹדְעֵ֣י
him and all ye that know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
6 of 14
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
שְׁמ֑וֹ
his name
H8034
שְׁמ֑וֹ
his name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
7 of 14
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
מַטֵּה
staff
H4294
מַטֵּה
staff
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
11 of 14
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
עֹ֔ז
How is the strong
H5797
עֹ֔ז
How is the strong
Strong's:
H5797
Word #:
12 of 14
strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
Historical Context
Moab had maintained independence and regional influence for centuries, controlling the lucrative King's Highway trade route. The 'strong staff' and 'beautiful rod' likely reference both Moab's military power and its cultural prestige, including monumental architecture at cities like Dibon. Neighboring nations (Edom, Ammon, Arabian tribes) had commercial and diplomatic relations with Moab, making its fall economically and politically shocking.
Questions for Reflection
- What contemporary 'strong staffs' and 'beautiful rods'—institutions, nations, or leaders—seem unbreakable but stand under divine judgment?
- How should observing the fall of powerful entities affect our trust in worldly systems versus eternal kingdom values?
- What is the proper balance between mourning others' calamities (as commanded here) and recognizing divine justice in judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
All ye that are about him, bemoan him (נֹדוּ לוֹ כָּל־סְבִיבָיו)—Jeremiah calls neighboring nations to lament Moab's fall. How is the strong staff broken, and the beautiful rod! (אֵיכָה נִשְׁבַּר מַטֵּה־עֹז מַקֵּל תִּפְאָרָה)—The matteh oz (staff of strength) and maqel tifʾarah (rod of beauty/glory) symbolize royal authority and national splendor. Both 'staff' and 'rod' signify dominion (Genesis 49:10; Psalm 110:2).
The rhetorical 'How!' (eykah, also beginning Lamentations) expresses shock at the reversal of fortunes. Nations that seemed permanently established—possessing both power (oz) and glory (tifʾarah)—can be broken suddenly. This anticipates Revelation's lament over fallen Babylon: 'Alas, alas, that great city!' (Revelation 18:10, 16, 19).