Jeremiah 48:17

“All ye that are about him, bemoan him, etc.] The neighbouring nations, such as the Ammonites, and others, are called upon to condole the sad case of Moab; all upon the borders of the country of Moab, either within them or without them: and all ye that know his name; not only that had heard of his fame and glory, but knew in what grandeur and splendour he lived; these have a form of condolence given them: say, how is the strong staff broken, [and] the beautiful rod! the mighty men of war, the staff of the nation, in which they trusted, destroyed; their fortified cities demolished; the powerful kingdom, which swayed the sceptre, and ruled in great glory, and was terrible and troublesome to…”

“bemoan--Not that Moab deserves pity, but this mode of expression pictures more vividly the grievousness of Moab's calamities. all ye that know his name--those at a greater distance whom the fame of Moab's "name" had reached, as distinguished from those "about him," that is, near. strong staff . . . rod--Moab is so called as striking terror into and oppressing other peoples (Isa 9:4; Isa 14:4-5); also because of its dignity and power (Psa 110:2; Zac 11:7).”

“The lamentation over Moab uttered by those “round about him,” i. e., the neighboring nations, and those “that know his name,” nations more remote, who know little more than that, there is such a people, takes the form of an elegy. The metaphorical expressions, “staff of strength,” and “rod” or “scepter of beauty,” indicate the union of power and splendor in the Moabite kingdom. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Staff - A staff and a rod are as well, ensigns of power and government, as instruments to punish offenders. Jeremiah 48:18”

“bemoan: Jer 48:31-33, Jer 9:17-20; Isa 16:8; Rev 18:14-20 How: Jer 48:39; Isa 9:4, Isa 10:5, Isa 14:4, Isa 14:5; Eze 19:11-14; Zac 11:10-14 Jeremiah 48:18”