Jeremiah 48:37
35 In Moab, declares the LORD, I will bring an end to those who make offerings on the high places and burn incense to their gods.
36 Therefore My heart laments like a flute for Moab; it laments like a flute for the men of Kir-heres, because the wealth they acquired has perished.
For every head is shaved and every beard is clipped; on every hand is a gash, and around every waist is sackcloth.
38 On all the rooftops of Moab and in the public squares, everyone is mourning; for I have shattered Moab like an unwanted jar,” declares the LORD.
39 “How shattered it is! How they wail! How Moab has turned his back in shame! Moab has become an object of ridicule and horror to all those around him.”
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- For every head is shaved and every beard is clipped; on every hand is a gash, and around every waist is sackcloth.
- KJV
- For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.
- WEB
- For every head is bald, and every beard clipped. There are cuttings on all the hands, and sackcloth on the waist.
- ASV
- For every head is bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands are cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.
- DARBY
- For every head is bald, and every beard clipped; upon all the hands are cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.
- BLB
- For every head [is] bald, and every beard is diminished; on all the hands [are] cuts, and upon the loins [is] sackcloth.
- ÅB
- For hvert hode er skallet og hvert skjegg avraket; på alle hender er det flenger og om lendene sekk.
- OTB
- Hvert hode er barbert og hvert skjegg klippet av; det er kutt på alle hender og sekkestrie rundt midjene.
- B1930
- For hvert hode er skallet og hvert skjegg avraket; på alle hender er det flenger og om lendene sekk.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Isaiah 15:2–3
Dibon goes up to its temple to weep at its high places. Moab wails over Nebo, as well as over Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off.
Read in contextGenesis 37:34
Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days.
Read in contextJeremiah 47:5
The people of Gaza will shave their heads in mourning; Ashkelon will be silenced. O remnant of their valley, how long will you gash yourself?
Read in contextJeremiah 41:5
eighty men who had shaved off their beards, torn their garments, and cut themselves came from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria, carrying grain offerings and frankincense for the house of the LORD.
Read in contextIsaiah 20:2
the LORD had already spoken through Isaiah son of Amoz, saying, “Go, remove the sackcloth from your waist and the sandals from your feet.” And Isaiah did so, walking around naked and barefoot.
Read in contextJeremiah 16:6
“Both great and small will die in this land. They will not be buried or mourned, nor will anyone cut himself or shave his head for them.
Read in contextIsaiah 3:24
Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of styled hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, shame.
Read in contextGenesis 37:29
When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes,
Read in context