“Damascus traded
With you
For your abundant goods.
Because
Of your great wealth
Of every kind,
Wine of Helbon,
With white wool.”
Damascus was the inland capital of the Assyrian empire. They also traded with Tyre because of the abundance of goods and wealth of both cities. Damascus had good wine from Helbon, about 13 miles north of Damascus, as well as white wool.
“Moab is at ease
From his youth.
He has settled
Like wine,
On its dregs.
He has not been emptied
From vessel to vessel.
He has not gone
Into exile.
Therefore his flavor
Has remained.
His aroma is unspoiled.”
Moab is masculine instead of feminine as in the preceding verses. He has been at ease since his youth. He has settled like good wine. However, there are dregs that have not been emptied or moved from barrel to barrel. Moab has never gone into exile. Thus his flavor and aroma have remained unspoiled. In other words, things have been pretty good for the Moabites up until now.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 