ירמיהו, פרק מ״ח, פסוק ל״ב

A lament for the fallen cities of Moab echoes across the land, painting a tragic picture of a magnificent vineyard whose branches are severed and fruits plundered. The sorrow begins with the fall of Jazer. As the surrounding cities hear the weeping over Jazer's ruin, they understand that their own doom is sealed. Consequently, the bitter tears shed for the city of Sibmah match the intense grief already felt for Jazer [רש״י, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Historically, these cities originally belonged to the Israelite tribes of Reuben and Gad, but Moab seized control of them after the tribes were forced into exile [רד״ק].

Sibmah was a region famous for its lush vineyards, leading the prophecy to characterize the city itself as a great vine. This vine serves as a powerful metaphor for the entire nation [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. The spreading branches of this vine symbolize the city's warriors [רש״י], its children [ביאור שטיינזלץ], or the population as a whole. The imagery of these branches stretching across the sea points to a desperate flight, as the people ran away to face exile in distant lands [מצודת דוד, רד״ק].

As the people of Sibmah fled, their journey took them toward the sea of Jazer. Commentators offer different perspectives on the end of this escape. A literal understanding suggests that the exiles simply reached the territory of Jazer [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. However, another perspective interprets this arrival as a fatal collision. According to this view, the fleeing residents of Sibmah reached the sea of Jazer only to be overtaken by the enemy. There, they were struck down alongside the people of Jazer, making it deeply appropriate to mourn both cities together [מצודות, מלבי״ם].

The tragedy culminates in a devastating act of plunder. An invading enemy descended upon the cities, camping against them before launching a final assault. They ruthlessly looted the rich agricultural yield at the worst possible moment, stealing the summer fruits, particularly the figs, and stripping the vineyards bare exactly when the grapes were ready for harvest.