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 underscores the divine authority and authenticity of the message. In Hebrew, "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred name of God, emphasizing His covenant relationship with Israel. The phrase indicates that the prophecy is not Jeremiah's own words but a direct revelation from God. This divine communication assures the reader of the certainty and seriousness of the forthcoming judgment.

Behold
The Hebrew word "hinneh" is used here, which serves as a call to attention. It is an imperative to the audience to observe and consider the significance of what follows. This word often introduces a vision or a significant event, urging the listener to focus on the gravity of the prophecy.

an eagle swoops down
The imagery of an eagle is powerful and evocative. In the ancient Near East, the eagle was a symbol of swiftness and might. The Hebrew word "nesher" can refer to an eagle or a vulture, both of which are birds of prey known for their keen sight and speed. This metaphor suggests an impending and unavoidable attack, highlighting the suddenness and ferocity of the judgment against Moab.

and spreads its wings
This phrase conveys the idea of dominance and control. The spreading of wings signifies the eagle's readiness to capture its prey, symbolizing the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the coming destruction. In a broader biblical context, wings often represent protection or judgment, depending on the narrative. Here, it is clearly an image of impending doom.

against Moab
Moab was a neighboring nation of Israel, often in conflict with God's people. Historically, Moab was known for its pride and idolatry, which led to its downfall. The mention of Moab specifically ties the prophecy to a real geopolitical entity, reminding the audience of the historical enmity between Moab and Israel. This judgment is a fulfillment of God's justice against a nation that has repeatedly opposed His people and His ways.

(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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