Jeremiah 48:9

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 48:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Give wings unto Moab, that she may fly and get her away: and her cities shall become a desolation, without any to dwell therein.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Give wings unto Moab, that she may fly and get her away: and her cities shall become a desolation, without any to dwell therein.
Jeremiah 48:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 48

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9Give wings unto Moab, that she may fly and get her away: and her cities shall become a desolation, without any to dwell therein.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Give wings unto Moab that it may flee and get away, etc.] That is, give wings to the inhabitants of Moab; signifying that they were in great danger, and there was no probability of escaping it, unless they had the wings of a swift bird, or were as swift as such, and even that would not do; though perhaps their fleeing, and passing away with wings, may signify not their fleeing from danger, and their attempt to escape; but their swift and sudden destruction, compared to the swift flight of a bird; for the last clause may be rendered, “for in flying it shall fly away”f879. Some render the first clause, “give a flower to Moab”, as the Vulgate Latin version; and so the word sometimes signifies,…”
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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
“Give wings, &c.-- (Psa 55:6). Unless it get wings, it cannot escape the foe. "Wings," the Hebrew root meaning is a "flower" (Job 14:2); so the flower-like plumage of a bird.”
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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
“Give wings - The Moabites have need of wings like a bird to escape that ruin which is coming upon them. Jeremiah 48:11”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“wings: Jer 48:28; Psa 11:1, Psa 55:6; Isa 16:2; Rev 12:14 the cities: Jer 46:19; Zep 2:9 Jeremiah 48:10”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Moab is laid waste, and its inhabitants carried captive. - Jer 48:9. "Give pinions to Moab, for he will flee and get away, and his cities shall become a waste, with no one dwelling in them. Jer 48:10. Cursed is he that doeth the work of Jahveh negligently, and cursed is he that restraineth his sword from blood. Jer 48:11. Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and lay still upon his lees; he was not poured out from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity, therefore his taste hath remained in him, and his smell hath not changed. Jer 48:12. Therefore, behold, days come, saith Jahveh, when I will send to him those who pour out, and they shall pour him out; and they shall empty his…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification