In an article published in Volume 7 of ‘Ma'ayanot’, Prof. Yehuda Elitzur (attached) identifies several unique aspects of the prophecies against Moav, both in the Book of Yirmiyahu and in the Book of Yeshayahu (chapters 15–16). Both contain an unusually detailed geographical focus, listing numerous Moavite cities, and both reference an earlier prophecy. Yeshayahu explicitly states that he is quoting an earlier prophet: "This is what the Lord spoke of Moav long ago" (Yeshayahu 16:13), while Yirmeyahu quotes entire verses from that prophecy in Yeshayahu, such as: "On the ascent of Luhith weeping shall follow weeping" (48:5) and "The waters of Nimrim shall become a desolate." He also cites the same indictment: "We have heard of Moav’s arrogance — he excessive arrogance – his loftiness, his hubris!" (Yirmiyahu 48:29). In addition, he references other earlier prophecies. The verse from Bemidbar (21:28): "For fire had gone forth from Cheshbon, a flame from the town of Sichon. it consumed Ar of Moav the master of Arnon’s high shrines.” serves as the background for the closing verses of Yirmiyahu’s prophecy. There are also echoes of this theme in the prophecies of Amos Chapter 2, Tzefanya Chapter 2, and Yeshayahu Chapter 24.

Elitzur explains that this prophecy is a collection of ancient prophecies compiled together within a new historical context. The foundational prophecy — the one serving as its basis — was originally pronounced in the wake of the Mesha Stele. This archaeological discovery contains an inscription from Mesha, king of Moav, detailing his conquests of Israelite cities and his construction projects. The stele is written in a geographical style, listing many cities, and the prophet mirrors this format, with the biblical city list corresponding closely to the one on the stele, both in city names and geographical regions. The indictment of Moav’s arrogance is clarified through the stele, where Mesha refers to himself no fewer than 13 times: " I built Karcha the wall of the forest …." Most strikingly, Mesha describes how "I took from there the vessels of the Lord". He mentions God and describes how he stole His sacred vessels. This provides powerful justification for Yirmiyahu’s rebuke: "For he has magnified himself against the Lord."

The relationship between Israel and Moav had been fraught with hostility since ancient times, dating back to the Song of the Rulers in the Torah. In his inscription, Mesha rejoices over Israel’s downfall, even suggesting Moav’s ultimate victory with the words: "And Israel is lost forever!" Yirmiyahu concludes his prophecy with verses that echo the same lament, emphasizing that its words remain just as relevant in his time – Though Israel lies in ruins, it is the Moavites who will ultimately be defeated in the course of history: "Those who fled from the power stood in the shadow of Cheshbon, but a fire came forth from Cheshbon, a flame from the midst of Sichon. it consumed the brow of Moav and the foreheads of Shaon. Woe for you, Moav; Kemosh’s people are destroyed, for they have taken your sons captive and your daughters into captivity" (48:45-46)