Hesebon shall cry, and Eleale, their voice is heard even to Jasa. For this shall the well appointed men of Moab howl, his soul shall howl to itself.
וַתִּזְעַ֤ק חֶשְׁבּוֹן֙ וְאֶלְעָלֵ֔ה עַד־יַ֖הַץ נִשְׁמַ֣ע קוֹלָ֑ם עַל־כֵּ֗ן חֲלֻצֵ֤י מוֹאָב֙ יָרִ֔יעוּ נַפְשׁ֖וֹ יָ֥רְעָה לּֽוֹ׃
5 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Heshbon and Elealeh raised their voices in lament, their cries echoing all the way to Jahazah, reaching the distant cities encircling Moab. The warriors of Moab joined in their sorrow, as from the heart of Moab came forth a resounding shout and a deep cry.
The lament of the Moabitess resonates deeply, as her spirit is taken from her. The heart of this Moabitess aches as she cries out to Sihor, while the young woman is but three years old. When they approach You, they will cry out along the path of Aronimlim; the wretched and fearful raise their voices. Before the onset of afflictions that bring no healing, there are always bitter griefs, overwhelming despair, and a wave of dread capable of breaking even the boldest heart. Thus, it seems, some wear gloomy expressions and sighs that emerge from the depths, reflecting the fervor of their inner turmoil. Consequently, the Moabitess's very loins cry out; she is as if experiencing the pains of childbirth, deeply troubled and filled with dread, anticipating the conflict that lies ahead.
Her soul perceives this fate, which is why she laments and cries out to Sihor, symbolizing the entirety of the land of Moab, reaching to its furthest borders, since Sihor is believed to be located at the edge of Moab. What shall she face in this impending ordeal? The young woman is three years old. In the third year, even the foolish of beasts begin to come into maturity, developing the strength of their vigor. This same year is also the time for their taming. So while the heifer, representing the young woman, has yet to know the yoke, she frolics youthfully, sprouting small horns. Until then, she often leaps, escaping from her pen and stall, much like the land of Moab, which launched attacks on neighboring territories and preyed upon the weaker ones. Moab is also known for its elevation, with one principal route, called Aronim, facilitating access from other cities and lands. Thus, at the ascent of Aronim, those who mourn will journey upward. The cry of the weeping is one of devastation and cowardice; they lament in anticipation of the suffering that the imminent war will bring, a conflict that will shake all things, all cities and homes, and obliterate those who reside within them.
Thus, whether someone has risen to the heights of humanity, charged with the wisdom of God, or has engaged in intricate discussions of language and tasks that aim to clarify every subject, that individual should proclaim repentance in accordance with the written scripture, which urges cries to be raised in the streets, in the temples, and upon all hills. And this must be done because Heshbon, which signifies thoughtfulness, has been declared a necessary outcry; Eleala represents the ascent towards God, while Jassa refers to the earlier commandments. Therefore, when one cries out Heshbon, it clearly indicates that the teachings of the Moabites stem from human reasoning rather than revelations of divine truths.
Eleala itself is a declaration that those who immerse themselves in such earthly wisdom act with disdain and rebel against God. This ascent towards God symbolizes prideful elevation. Jassa, although it may appear to be a commandment, is in truth a superficial caution regarding life, serving as a guise for the deceptions of malicious teachings and the temptations they bring. Consequently, it has been stated that all the muscles are severed, meaning if a false teacher misleads the souls of followers with erroneous beliefs while ostensibly leading a virtuous life, those who regret having followed such a teacher should sever their connection to that active way of life. Let them cut it off like hair and separate it from their being, for the leadership within the Church acts as the head. Therefore, let there be a cry of Jassa, revealing that the apparent uprightness in one's life may serve as a deceptive lure to belief as if it were genuine. This provides a reason to lament, as Heshbon and Elealeh raised their voices to Jassa. For this cause, the every loins of Moabitess calls out. The term loins is often understood in relation to procreative power. Yet within the loins of the patriarchs, he (Levi, son of Abraham) is included when Melchisedec acknowledged him (Heb. 7:10). And 'Let your loins be girded' (Luke 12:35) serves as a call to restrain the desires that fuel greed. Thus, the lament of Moabitess, which inspired a life of purity, stands in opposition to the proclamations of Heshbon, Elealeh, and Jassa. Her spirit, it is said, will lead away. This declaration highlights the triumph of those who have successfully achieved the repentance previously mentioned.
Heshbon and Elealeh raised their voices in lamentation, and their cries reached as far as Jassa. The towns of Moab were engulfed in mourning, with the outcry echoing from one city to another. This is the reason the warriors of Moab are heard weeping, either due to their loss of arms or because the prophet illustrates the deep anguish felt by all Moabites in the midst of the soldiers' intense suffering.
Heshbon and Elealeh will lament. These names belong to cities of Moab, with Heshbon historically known as the capital of the Ammoraeans. Jeremiah mentions, "Fire came out of Heshbon, and a flame from the heart of Seon" (Jeremiah 48:43). The term Heshbon signifies to scheme, prompting Jeremiah to cleverly remark, "against Heshbon they plotted evil" (Jeremiah 48:1). Their voices extend as far as Jahaziah. Jahazah is situated near the Dead Sea, marking the boundary of Moab. This indicates that the cries from this region would resonate to its farthest edges. Thus, Jeremiah states, "from the cry of Heshbon to Elealeh and Jahazah they uttered their voice" (Jeremiah 48:34). In addition to this, the armed forces of Moab will cry out, and their own souls shall lament.
The Hebrew term eluse, translated by Aquila as έξωμος, meaning armed and with shoulders bared, and Simmachus interpreted as girded, is thought by some to refer not to individuals but to the city now known as Eluse, which lies within Moab's territory. It may also be understood that the full might of the warriors will collapse, and collective mourning will resonate throughout the land. However, if eluse is taken to signify bared shoulders, it suggests that in mourning, all will display their feathers.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS