Jeremiah 48:40
New International Version
This is what the LORD says: “Look! An eagle is swooping down, spreading its wings over Moab.

New Living Translation
This is what the LORD says: “Look! The enemy swoops down like an eagle, spreading his wings over Moab.

English Standard Version
For thus says the LORD: “Behold, one shall fly swiftly like an eagle and spread his wings against Moab;

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

King James Bible
For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab.

New King James Version
For thus says the LORD: “Behold, one shall fly like an eagle, And spread his wings over Moab.

New American Standard Bible
For this is what the LORD says: “Behold, one will fly swiftly like an eagle And spread out his wings against Moab.

NASB 1995
For thus says the LORD: “Behold, one will fly swiftly like an eagle And spread out his wings against Moab.

NASB 1977
For thus says the LORD, “Behold, one will fly swiftly like an eagle, And spread out his wings against Moab.

Legacy Standard Bible
For thus says Yahweh: “Behold, one will swoop like an eagle And spread out his wings against Moab.

Amplified Bible
For thus says the LORD: “Behold, one (Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon) will fly swiftly like an eagle And spread out his wings against Moab.

Christian Standard Bible
For this is what the LORD says: Look! He will swoop down like an eagle and spread his wings against Moab.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For this is what the LORD says: He will swoop down like an eagle and spread his wings against Moab.

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

Contemporary English Version
Moab, an enemy swoops down like an eagle spreading its wings over your land.

English Revised Version
For thus saith the LORD: Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread out his wings against Moab.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"This is what the LORD says: The enemy will swoop down like eagles and spread their wings over Moab.

Good News Translation
The LORD has promised that a nation will swoop down on Moab like an eagle with its outspread wings,

International Standard Version
For this is what the LORD says: "Look, like an eagle one will fly swiftly and spread his wings against Moab.

Majority Standard Bible
For this is what the LORD says: ?Behold, an eagle swoops down and spreads his wings against Moab.

NET Bible
For the LORD says, "Look! Like an eagle with outspread wings a nation will swoop down on Moab.

New Heart English Bible
For thus says the LORD: 'Look, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread out his wings against Moab.

Webster's Bible Translation
For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab.

World English Bible
For Yahweh says: “Behold, he will fly as an eagle, and will spread out his wings against Moab.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For thus said YHWH: “Behold, he flees as an eagle, "" And has spread his wings to Moab.

Young's Literal Translation
For thus said Jehovah: Lo, as an eagle he doth flee, And hath spread his wings unto Moab.

Smith's Literal Translation
For thus said Jehovah: Behold, as an eagle he shall fly, and he spread his wings to Moab.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thus saith the Lord: Behold he shall fly as an eagle, and shall stretch forth his wings to Moab.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Thus says the Lord: “Behold, he will fly like the eagle, and he will extend his wings to Moab.

New American Bible
For thus says the LORD: Look there! Like an eagle he swoops, spreading his wings over Moab.

New Revised Standard Version
For thus says the LORD: Look, he shall swoop down like an eagle, and spread his wings against Moab;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For thus says the LORD: Behold, he shall fly mightily as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Thus says LORD JEHOVAH: “Behold, as an eagle he shall ascend and he shall soar and he shall spread his wings over Moab
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For thus saith the LORD: Behold, he shall swoop as a vulture, And shall spread out his wings against Moab.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For thus said the Lord;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Judgment on Moab
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.” 40For this is what the LORD says: “Behold, an eagle swoops down and spreads his wings against Moab. 41Kirioth 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.…

Cross References
Isaiah 46:11
I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 41:16
You will winnow them, and a wind will carry them away; a gale will scatter them. But you will rejoice in the LORD; you will glory in the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 31:5
Like birds hovering overhead, so the LORD of Hosts will protect Jerusalem. He will shield it and deliver it; He will pass over it and preserve it.”

Isaiah 11:14
They will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines to the west; together they will plunder the sons of the east. They will lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them.

Ezekiel 17:3
and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, full of feathers of many colors, came to Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar.

Ezekiel 17:7
But there was another great eagle with great wings and many feathers. And behold, this vine bent its roots toward him. It stretched out its branches to him from its planting bed, so that he might water it.

Ezekiel 17:12
“Now say to this rebellious house: ‘Do you not know what these things mean?’ Tell them, ‘Behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, carried off its king and officials, and brought them back with him to Babylon.

Ezekiel 39:4
On the mountains of Israel you will fall—you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to every kind of ravenous bird and wild beast.

Hosea 8:1
Put the ram’s horn to your lips! An eagle looms over the house of the LORD, because the people have transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My law.

Obadiah 1:4
Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.

Habakkuk 1:8
Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves of the night. Their horsemen charge ahead, and their cavalry comes from afar. They fly like a vulture, swooping down to devour.

Revelation 12:14
But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle to fly from the presence of the serpent to her place in the wilderness, where she was nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.

Revelation 19:17
Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice to all the birds flying overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God,

Matthew 24:28
Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.


Treasury of Scripture

For thus said the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab.

he shall

Jeremiah 4:13
Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.

Deuteronomy 28:49
The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;

Lamentations 4:19
Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.

spread

Jeremiah 49:22
Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.

Isaiah 8:8
And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.

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Jeremiah 48
1. The judgment of Moab
7. for their pride
11. for their security
14. for their carnal confidence
26. and for their contempt of God and his people
47. The restoration of Moab














For this is what the LORD says:
This phrase introduces a divine pronouncement, emphasizing the authority and certainty of the message. In the prophetic books, such declarations often precede a message of judgment or salvation. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) underscores the covenant relationship between God and His people, highlighting that the message is not from human origin but from the Creator Himself.

Behold, an eagle swoops down:
The imagery of an eagle is significant in biblical literature, often symbolizing swiftness and power. In Deuteronomy 28:49, an eagle represents a nation coming swiftly against Israel as a form of judgment. Here, the eagle likely symbolizes the Babylonian empire, known for its military might and rapid conquests. The eagle's swooping action suggests an imminent and unavoidable attack, reflecting the suddenness of divine judgment.

and spreads his wings against Moab:
Moab was a nation located east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel. The spreading of wings indicates a comprehensive and overwhelming assault, leaving no escape for Moab. Historically, Moab had a tumultuous relationship with Israel, sometimes allying with them and other times opposing them. This judgment against Moab fulfills earlier prophecies and reflects God's sovereignty over all nations. The imagery also connects to the broader biblical theme of God's justice against nations that oppose His will, as seen in other prophetic books like Isaiah and Ezekiel.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah.

2. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his prophecies concerning the judgment and restoration of Israel and the surrounding nations.

3. Moab
A nation located east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel. Moab is the subject of God's judgment in this passage.

4. The Eagle
Symbolic imagery used to represent swiftness and power, often associated with nations or armies executing judgment.

5. Judgment
The event being described, where God is pronouncing His judgment against Moab for their sins and rebellion.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Judgment
The imagery of the eagle signifies God's control over nations and His ability to execute judgment swiftly and powerfully. Believers should recognize God's sovereignty in world events and trust in His ultimate justice.

The Consequences of Pride and Rebellion
Moab's judgment serves as a warning against pride and rebellion against God. Christians are called to humility and obedience, understanding that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

The Certainty of God's Word
Just as God declared judgment against Moab, His words are sure and will come to pass. Believers can have confidence in the promises and warnings found in Scripture.

The Call to Repentance
While this passage focuses on judgment, it also serves as a reminder of the opportunity for repentance. God's warnings are often accompanied by a call to turn back to Him, emphasizing His desire for restoration.(40) He shall fly as an eagle . . .--The image, as in Deuteronomy 28:49; Isaiah 46:11; Ezekiel 17:3, was the natural symbol of a fierce invader, probably, in this case, of Nebuchadnezzar. Here it receives a fresh vividness from the previous comparison of Moab to the dove that had its nest in the clefts of the rock. The verse is reproduced in Jeremiah 49:22, in reference to Edom.

Verses 40, 41. - The Septuagint has a shorter form (see introduction to chapter). Verse 40. - He shall fly as an eagle; rather, he shall swoop (same word and figure in Deuteronomy 28:49). The subject is not named, but (as in ch. 46:18) is Nebuchadnezzar.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

this is what
כֹה֙ (ḵōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

says:
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Behold,
הִנֵּ֥ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

an eagle
כַנֶּ֖שֶׁר (ḵan·ne·šer)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5404: The eagle

swoops down
יִדְאֶ֑ה (yiḏ·’eh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1675: To fly swiftly, dart through the air

and spreads
וּפָרַ֥שׂ (ū·p̄ā·raś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6566: To break apart, disperse

his wings
כְּנָפָ֖יו (kə·nā·p̄āw)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3671: An edge, extremity, a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle

against
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Moab.
מוֹאָֽב׃ (mō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4124: Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 48:40 For thus says Yahweh: Behold he shall (Jer.)
Jeremiah 48:39
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