Charles Ellicott Commentary Jeremiah 48:14-17

"How say ye, We are mighty men, and valiant men for the war? Moab is laid waste, and they are gone up into his cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, saith the King, whose name is Jehovah of hosts. The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast. All ye that are round about him, bemoan him, and all ye that know his name; say, How is the strong staff broken, the beautiful rod!" — Jeremiah 48:14-17 (ASV)

How say ye ... — In the boast that follows we trace the characteristic pride of Moab. The prophet points to the fact that the pride is brought low. She, too, is subject, like other nations, to invasion and defeat. He summons her people to wail for her overthrow.

The “staff” is the scepter of the ruler, as in Psalm 110:2. The “rod” is the stick with which a man walks (Genesis 32:10; Exodus 12:11), but which may also be used as a weapon. The epithet “beautiful” perhaps points to the splendour of a royal staff or wand of ivory and gold.