Dibon was a major city in Moab, set on two hills next to an important international trade route.1 It was also the capital city of King Mesha who had led Moab in rebellion against Israel some 200 years before Jeremiah’s prophecy (see 2 Kings 3:1–27). The city therefore represented Moab’s arrogance, especially towards the Lord’s people. But now the Lord says to Dibon, Come down from your glory and sit on the parched ground.
The city will be humbled in defeat for the destroyer of Moab has come up against you; he has destroyed your strongholds.
Again, Babylon is not named as the destroyer, highlighting the fact that it is indeed the Lord who destroys Moab by sending Babylon.
18 Descends du séjour de la gloire, assieds-toi sur la terre desséchée, Habitante, fille de Dibon! Car le dévastateur de Moab monte contre toi, Il détruit tes forteresses.