Jeremiah 48:19
O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and espy; ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, and say, What is done?
Original Language Analysis
דֶּ֛רֶךְ
by the way
H1870
דֶּ֛רֶךְ
by the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
2 of 12
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
עִמְדִ֥י
stand
H5975
עִמְדִ֥י
stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
3 of 12
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
וְצַפִּ֖י
and espy
H6822
וְצַפִּ֖י
and espy
Strong's:
H6822
Word #:
4 of 12
properly, to lean forward, i.e., to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await
יוֹשֶׁ֣בֶת
O inhabitant
H3427
יוֹשֶׁ֣בֶת
O inhabitant
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עֲרוֹעֵ֑ר
of Aroer
H6177
עֲרוֹעֵ֑ר
of Aroer
Strong's:
H6177
Word #:
6 of 12
aror, the name of three places in or near palestine
שַׁאֲלִי
ask
H7592
שַׁאֲלִי
ask
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
7 of 12
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
נָ֣ס
him that fleeth
H5127
נָ֣ס
him that fleeth
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
8 of 12
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
וְנִמְלָ֔טָה
and her that escapeth
H4422
וְנִמְלָ֔טָה
and her that escapeth
Strong's:
H4422
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
Cross References
Deuteronomy 2:36From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from the city that is by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us:1 Samuel 4:16And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son?
Historical Context
Aroer (modern Arair) sat on the northern rim of the Arnon gorge, the natural border between Moab and Israel (Deuteronomy 2:36). As a border fortress on the major north-south trade route, Aroer would be among the first cities to witness refugees fleeing Babylon's invasion from the north. The city's strategic location made it an ideal observation point for the unfolding catastrophe.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you witnessed or heard testimony about God's judgment that initially seemed unbelievable?
- How should hearing others' 'escape stories' from sin's consequences affect your own responsiveness to warning?
- What is our responsibility as 'watchers' to warn others of coming judgment while there is still time to flee?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and espy (יֹשֶׁבֶת עֲרוֹעֵר עִמְדִי־דֶרֶךְ וְצַפִּי)—Aroer, on the Arnon River gorge, commanded the main southern route into Moab. Jeremiah tells residents to stand (imdi) and watch (tsapi, keep vigil). Ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, and say, What is done? (שַׁאֲלִי נָס וְנִמְלָטָה אִמְרִי מַה־נִּהְיָתָה)—Survivors streaming past will report the catastrophe.
The scene evokes refugees fleeing disaster, their testimony confirming prophetic warnings. This pattern appears when Lot's family fled Sodom (Genesis 19), when Israel fled Egypt (Exodus 14), and when disciples will flee end-times judgment (Matthew 24:16-20). The question 'What is done?' acknowledges the incomprehensible scale of destruction—events so catastrophic they require eyewitness testimony to believe.