Jer 49:1-6 | JFB | STEP | The event of the prophecy as to Ammon preceded that as to Moab (see on ); and in , the destruction of Ammon is subjoined to the deposition of Zedekiah. 1. Hath Israel ... no heir?-- namely, to occupy the land of Gad, after it itself has been carried away captive by Shalmaneser. Ammon, like Moab, descended from Lot, lay north of Moab, from which it was separated by the river Arnon, and east of Reuben and Gad ( , ) on the same side of Jordan. It seized on Gad when Israel was carried captive. Judah was by the right of kindred the heir, not Ammon; but Ammon joined with Nebuchadnezzar against Judah and Jerusalem ( ) and exulted over its fall ( ; , ). It had already, in the days of Jeroboam, in Israel's affliction, tried to "enlarge its border" ( ; , ). their king-- ( ); referring to Melchom, their tutelary idol ( ); and so the Septuagint reads it here as a proper name ( , ; ). The Ammonite god is said to do what they do, namely, occupy the Israelite land of Gad. To Jehovah, the theocratic "King" of Israel, the land belonged of right; so that their Molech or Melchom was a usurper-king. his people-- the people of Melchom, "their king." Compare "people of Chemosh," .

‏ Jeremiah 49:1-6

CHAPTER 49 Jr 49:1-39. Predictions as to Ammon, Idumea, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, and Elam.

The event of the prophecy as to Ammon preceded that as to Moab (see on Jr 49:3); and in Eze 21:26-28, the destruction of Ammon is subjoined to the deposition of Zedekiah.

1. Hath Israel ... no heir?--namely, to occupy the land of Gad, after it itself has been carried away captive by Shalmaneser. Ammon, like Moab, descended from Lot, lay north of Moab, from which it was separated by the river Arnon, and east of Reuben and Gad (Jos 13:24, 25) on the same side of Jordan. It seized on Gad when Israel was carried captive. Judah was by the right of kindred the heir, not Ammon; but Ammon joined with Nebuchadnezzar against Judah and Jerusalem (2Ki 24:2) and exulted over its fall (Psa 83:4-7, 8; Zep 2:8, 9). It had already, in the days of Jeroboam, in Israel's affliction, tried to "enlarge its border" (2Ki 14:26; Am 1:1, 13).

their king--(Am 1:15); referring to Melchom, their tutelary idol (Zep 1:5); and so the Septuagint reads it here as a proper name (1Ki 11:5, 33; 2Ki 23:13). The Ammonite god is said to do what they do, namely, occupy the Israelite land of Gad. To Jehovah, the theocratic "King" of Israel, the land belonged of right; so that their Molech or Melchom was a usurper-king.

his people--the people of Melchom, "their king." Compare "people of Chemosh," Jr 48:46.

2. Rabbah--"the great," metropolis of Ammon (2Sa 12:26-30). Its destruction is foretold also in Eze 25:5; Am 1:14, 15.

her daughters--the towns and villages, dependencies of the metropolis (Jos 15:45).

shall ... be heir--shall possess those who possessed him. The full accomplishment of this is still future; partially fulfilled under the Maccabees (1 Maccabees 5:6).

3. Heshbon ... Ai--Nebuchadnezzar, coming from the north, first attacked Ammon, then its brother and neighbor, Moab. As Ai of Ammon had already suffered destruction, Heshbon of Moab being near it might well fear the same fate.

hedges--Their cities being destroyed, the outcasts have no place of shelter save behind the "hedges" of vineyards and gardens; or else the enclosures of their villages.

their king--Melchom, the idol, as the mention of "his priests" shows (compare Jr 48:7).

4. thy flowing valley--rather, "thy valley shall flow," namely with the blood of the slain; in sad contrast to their "valleys" in which they had heretofore "gloried," as flowing with milk and honey [Grotius]. Or else, as Margin, "shall flow away."

backsliding--apostate from Jehovah, the God of their father Lot, to Molech.

treasures--her resources for resisting the foe.

Who shall, &c.--Who can come ... (Jr 21:13).

5. every man right forth--whithersoever chance may lead him (Jr 46:5; Ge 19:17); straight before him, onwards at random (Am 4:3).

none ... gather up him, &c.--There shall be none to gather together the wandering fugitives, so as to care for them and restore them to their own homes.

6. (Compare Jr 48:47). For the sake of "righteous" Lot their progenitor. Partially fulfilled under Cyrus; in gospel times more fully.