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Jeremiah 48:40

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 48:40 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For thus saith Jehovah: Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread out his wings against Moab.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For thus saith Jehovah: Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread out his wings against Moab.
Jeremiah 48:40 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 48

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
41Kerioth is taken, and the strongholds are seized, and the heart of the mighty men of Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
42And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against Jehovah.
43Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith Jehovah.
← Jeremiah 48:39Jeremiah 48:41 →
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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 thus saith the Lord, behold, he shall fly as an eagle, etc.] The enemy, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, with his army; who is compared to an eagle for his strength, swiftness, and greediness after the prey: and shall spread his wings over Moab; as an eagle spreads its wings, which are very large, over the little birds it seizes upon as its prey; so the king of Babylon would bring a numerous army against Moab, and spread it over his country. The Targum is, “behold, as all eagle which flies, so a king shall come up with his army, and encamp against Moab.””
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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
“he--Nebuzara-dan, the captain of Nebuchadnezzar. as . . . eagle--not to bear them "on eagles' wings" (Exo 19:4; Deu 32:11-12), as God does His people, but to pounce on them as a prey (Jer 49:22; Deu 28:49; Hab 1:8).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The rapid and irresistible attack of Nebuchadnezzar is compared to the impetuous dash of the eagle on its prey Deuteronomy 28:49. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He - Nebuchadnezzar shall come swiftly, and spread himself over Moab. Jeremiah 48:43”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“48:40 The eagle represents speed and surprise; its victim is caught and carried off before it is able to react.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he shall: Jer 4:13; Deu 28:49; Lam 4:19; Eze 17:3; Dan 7:4; Hos 8:1 spread: Jer 49:22; Isa 8:8 Jeremiah 48:41”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification