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Jeremiah 48:37

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 48:37 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For every head is bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands are cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For every head is bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands are cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.
Jeremiah 48:37 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 48

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
34From the cry of Heshbon even unto Elealeh, even unto Jahaz have they uttered their voice, from Zoar even unto Horonaim, to Eglath-shelishiyah: for the waters of Nimrim also shall become desolate.
35Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith Jehovah, him that offereth in the high place, and him that burneth incense to his gods.
36Therefore my heart soundeth for Moab like pipes, and my heart soundeth like pipes for the men of Kir-heres: therefore the abundance that he hath gotten is perished.
37For every head is bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands are cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.
38On all the housetops of Moab and in the streets thereof there is lamentation every where; for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein none delighteth, saith Jehovah.
39How is it broken down! [how] do they wail! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab become a derision and a terror to all that are round about him.
40For thus saith Jehovah: Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread out his wings against Moab.
← Jeremiah 48:36Jeremiah 48:38 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For every head [shall be] bald, and every beard clipped, etc.] Men, in times of mourning, used to pluck off the hairs of their head till they made them bald, and shaved their beards; which, as Kimchi says, were the glory of their faces; (see <231502>Isaiah 15:2); upon all the hands shall be cuttings: it was usual with the Heathens to make incisions in the several parts of their bodies, particularly in their hands and arms, with their nails, or with knives, in token of mourning; which are forbidden the Israelites, (<051401>Deuteronomy 14:1); and upon the loins sackcloth; this is a well known custom for mourners, to put off their clothes, and put on sackcloth; all these things are mentioned,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(See on Jer 47:5; Isa 15:2-3). upon all . . . hands--that is, arms, in which such cuttings used to be made in token of grief (compare Zac 13:6).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Cuttings - Compare Jeremiah 16:6, and marginal references. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“every head: Jer 16:6, Jer 41:5, Jer 47:5; Isa 3:24, Isa 15:2, Isa 15:3; Eze 7:18, Eze 27:31; Amo 8:10; Mic 1:16 clipped: Heb. diminished cuttings: Lev 19:28; Kg1 18:28; Mar 5:5 upon the loins: Gen 37:29, Gen 37:34; Kg1 21:27; Kg2 6:30; Isa 20:2, Isa 37:1; Rev 11:3 Jeremiah 48:38”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 48 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification