The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence;
Lowth thinks it was delivered in the first years of Hezekiah's reign, and fulfilled in the fourth, when Shalmaneser, on his way to invade Israel, may have seized on the strongholds of Moab. Moab probably had made common cause with Israel and Syria, in a league against Assyria. Hence, it incurred the vengeance of Assyria. Jeremiah has introduced much of this prophecy into his 48th chapter.
Because, х kiy (H3588)] - rather, 'To wit.' 'The burden of Moab-to wit, that Moab is (to be) laid waste.' 'I say that Moab shall be laid waste' (Grotius).
In the night - the time best suited for an hostile incursion (Isaiah 21:4; Jeremiah 39:4).
Ar - meaning in Hebrew the city; the metropolis of Moab, on the south of the river Arnon.
Kir - literally, a citadel, not far from Ar, toward the south.