Verse 1

burden. The first of the seven burdens.

Because = Surely.

Moab. Had been subdued by Saul (1 Samuel 14:47) and David (2 Samuel 8:2); and paid tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 1:1; 2 Kings 3:4, 2 Kings 3:5). Ar = Rabbah (Numbers 21:28; Deuteronomy 2:9, Deuteronomy 2:18, Deuteronomy 2:29).

brought to silence = cut off or destroyed.

Verse 2

He: i.e. Moab.

Dibon. Now Dhiban. Numbers 21:30; Numbers 32:3, Numbers 32:34, Numbers 33:46, Numbers 33:46. Joshua 13:9, Joshua 13:17.

Nebo. Now Jebel Neba in Moab, overlooking the Jordan Valley.

Medeba. Same name to-day. Compare Numbers 21:30. Joshua 13:9, Joshua 13:16; 1 Chronicles 19:7.

Verse 3

their streets = his (i.e. Moab"s) open streets.

weeping abundantly = coming down with weeping.

Verse 4

Heshbon. Now Heshoan. The capital of the Amorites. Rebuilt by Reuben (Numbers 32:37).

cry = cry in pain.

Elealeh. Nowel" Al, near Heshbon. Compare Isaiah 16:9. Numbers 32:3, Numbers 32:37. Jeremiah 48:34.

Jahaz. Not identified. Numbers 21:23. Deuteronomy 2:32. Judges 11:20.

armed soldiers = light-armed troopers.

cry out = shout for joy.

ife = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

grievous unto him = vexed within him.

Verse 5

Zoar. Now (probably) Tell esh Shaghur. not him that wandereth. Deuteronomy 34:3. Jeremiah 48:34.

an heifer = [flee] like an heifer, &c. Compare Jeremiah 48:34.

mounting up = ascent.

Luhith. Now Tel"at el Heith; one mile west of Mount Nebo. Compare Jeremiah 48:5

Horonaim. Not identified; probably Wady Ghueir.

Verse 6

Nimrim.Probably Wady Nimrim, near south end of Dead Sea.

desolate = desolations.

Verse 7

brook of the willows: or valley of the Arabians. Probably the Wady-el-Ahsy separating Kerek from Djebal, or the brook Zered of Deuteronomy 2:13, Deuteronomy 2:14.

Verse 8

Eglaim. Not identified; probably the En-eglaim of Ezekiel 47:10.

Verse 9

Dimon. Probably Umm Deineh, east of the Dead Sea.

Dimon. blood. Note Figure of speech Paronomasia. Hebrew. Dimon. dam.

more = more [howlings].

lions = a lion. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), for all wild beasts.