31. Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kirheres.

31. Propterea super Moab ululabo, et ad Moab totum (hoc est, penitus ad totam gentem) clamabo, meditabor ad viros urbis testae.

Some think the last word to be a proper name, though, according to etymology, it is "the city of potsherd." They therefore give this rendering, "the strong city." But Isaiah calls it "Kir-hareseth," qyr-hrst; he extends the word by adding a syllable to it; but the word, however, is the same. Then he says, I will think of the men of Kir-cheres The word hgh, ege, is properly to complain, to whisper, to murmur; and hence some render the words not improperly, "I will mutter to the men of the city of potsherd." [17]

The Prophet does not relate here what he would do, as I have before reminded you; but that he might represent to the life the ruin of Moab, he mentions their howling, crying, and complaints. He then says, I will howl, cry aloud, and with a trembling voice complain, as those who are grievously oppressed with evils; at one time they complain, cry aloud, and howl, and at another they mutter inwardly, grumble and murmur. Thus the Prophet assumes the character of such persons, in order that he might more fully set forth the extreme calamity of that nation. He afterwards comes to particulars: --

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Footnotes:

[17] This paragraph has been transplanted from the text. The verbs here are imperatives in the Sept and Syr., "Howl ye," etc.; and in the future tense in the Targ., "they shall howl, etc. The Vulg., is according to the Hebrew. The last verb is in the third person, "He (Moab) will mourn for the men of Kir-heres." This city was on the extremity of Moab northward, as Jazer was on its extremity southward. -- Ed.