John Gill Commentary Jeremiah 48:39

"How is it broken down! [how] do they wail! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab become a derision and a terror to all that are round about him." — Jeremiah 48:39 (ASV)

They shall howl, [saying], how is it broken down ?
&c.] Or, "how is it broken" or "thrown into consternation ^F16 ? they howl"; that is, they howl out these words, or, while they are howling, say, how is Kirheres or Moab broken all to pieces; their strength, power, and glory; their cities, and their mighty men; and are in the utmost fright and confusion?

Jarchi takes it to be an imperative, and paraphrases it, ``howl you over her ^F17 , and say, how is it broken!''

Kimchi says it may be taken either as in the past or in the imperative; how has Moab turned the back with shame ?
not being able to look their enemies in the face, but obliged to flee before them;

so shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him ;
a derision to some, to their enemies, as Israel had been to them, and so they are paid in their own coin; and a consternation to others, their friends, who would fear sharing the same fate, at the hands of the Chaldeans.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F16: (htx Kya) "quomodo consternata est", Piscator, Schmidt.
• F17: (wlylyh) "ululate", Munster, Piscator; "ejulate", Junius & Tremellius.