Jeremiah 48:39

³⁷ 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.

“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.”

⁴⁰ For this is what the LORD says: “Behold, an eagle swoops down and spreads his wings against Moab.

⁴¹ Kirioth has been taken, and the strongholds seized. In that day the heart of Moab’s warriors will be like the heart of a woman in labor.

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: “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.”
KJV: They shall howl, saying, How is it broken down! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him.
WEB: “How it is broken down! How they wail! How Moab has turned the back with shame! So will Moab become a derision and a terror to all who are around him.”
ASV: How 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.
DARBY: They howl, How is it broken down! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! And Moab shall be a derision and a terror to all that are round about him.
BLB: “How she is broken! [How] they wail! How Moab has turned [her] neck having been put to shame! Moab has become a derision and for a horror to all those around her.”

ÅB: Hvor forferdet det er, hvor de hyler! Se hvordan Moab vender ryggen til! Hvor det er blitt til skamme! Moab blir til latter og til en forferdelse for alle dem som bor rundt omkring det.
OTB: «Hvor knust hun er! Hvor de jamrer! Hvordan Moab vender ryggen i skam! Moab har blitt til latter, et skrekkens objekt for alle rundt henne.»
B1930: Hvor forferdet det er, hvor de hyler! Se hvorledes Moab vender ryggen til! Hvor det er blitt til skamme! Moab blir til latter og til en forferdelse for alle dem som bor rundt omkring det.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Revelation 18:15–16
The merchants who sold these things and grew their wealth from her will stand at a distance, in fear of her torment. They will weep and mourn,
Read in context
Lamentations 2:1
How the Lord has covered the Daughter of Zion with the cloud of His anger! He has cast the glory of Israel from heaven to earth. He has abandoned His footstool in the day of His anger.
Read in context
Revelation 18:9–10
Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her.
Read in context
Jeremiah 48:26–27
“Make him drunk, because he has magnified himself against the LORD; so Moab will wallow in his own vomit, and he will also become a laughingstock.
Read in context
Lamentations 4:1
How the gold has become tarnished, the pure gold has become dull! The gems of the temple lie scattered on every street corner.
Read in context
Lamentations 1:1
How lonely lies the city, once so full of people! She who was great among the nations has become a widow. The princess of the provinces has become a slave.
Read in context
Jeremiah 48:17
Mourn for him, all you who surround him, everyone who knows his name; tell how the mighty scepter is shattered— the glorious staff!
Read in context
Isaiah 20:4–6
so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame.
Read in context