CLARITY EDITION · OLD TESTAMENT
Jeremiah 48
Chapter 48 of 52
Chapter Overview
What happens in Jeremiah 48
This long chapter is a detailed prophecy against Moab, Israel's neighbor east of the Dead Sea. God announces that Moab's pride and trust in its own strength and its god Chemosh will lead to complete ruin. City after city will fall. Yet the chapter ends with a surprising promise that God will restore Moab's fortunes in the future.
Scripture
Jeremiah 48
Destruction Sweeps Across Moab
Study note
Moab was located east of the Dead Sea in what is now Jordan. The Moabites were distant relatives of Israel through Lot, Abraham's nephew. Despite this connection, Moab was often hostile to Israel. This prophecy lists many Moabite cities that would be destroyed: Nebo, Kiriathaim, Heshbon, Horonaim, and others. Chemosh was the national god of Moab, and his priests and officials would be carried off into exile. The oracle warns that Moab had trusted in its own accomplishments and wealth instead of in God.
1 About the nation of Moab, the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: "What a disaster is coming for the city of Nebo -- it has been wrecked! Kiriathaim has been seized and its people shamed. The mighty fortress is smashed to pieces and torn apart." Against Moab thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Woe unto Nebo! for it is spoiled: Kiriathaim is confounded and taken: Misgab is confounded and dismayed.
2 "Nobody praises Moab anymore. Over in Heshbon, enemies are plotting its destruction, saying, 'Let us wipe that whole nation off the map!' And you, people of Madmen, will also be shut up forever. The sword is coming after you." There shall be no more praise of Moab: in Heshbon they have devised evil against it; come, and let us cut it off from being a nation. Also thou shalt be cut down, O Madmen; the sword shall pursue thee.
3 "Listen! Screams ring out from Horonaim -- screams about total ruin and devastation!" A voice of crying shall be from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction.
4 "Moab is shattered into pieces. Even the smallest children can be heard wailing." Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.
5 "People weep uncontrollably as they struggle up the road to Luhith. On the way down to Horonaim, heartbreaking cries of anguish fill the air." For in the going up of Luhith continual weeping shall go up; for in the going down of Horonaim the enemies have heard a cry of destruction.
6 "Run for your lives! Go hide in the desert like a wild bush!" Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.
7 "Because you put all your confidence in what you accomplished and in your riches, you will also be taken prisoner. Your god Chemosh will be hauled off into exile along with all his priests and temple workers." For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together.
8 "The one who brings destruction will march into every town. Not a single city will be spared. The river valley will be devastated and the high plateau will be wrecked, exactly as the Lord promised." And the spoiler shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape: the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed, as the LORD hath spoken.
9 "Give Moab wings so it can fly away to safety! Its cities will become deserted ghost towns where no one lives." Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell therein.
10 "Anyone who does the Lord's work halfheartedly is under a curse! Anyone who holds back the sword when God says to use it is under a curse!" Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.
Moab's False Security
Study note
Moab is compared to wine that has never been poured from one jar to another. In winemaking, pouring wine between vessels helps remove sediment and improve flavor. Moab had never been 'poured out' -- it had never experienced exile or major upheaval -- so its character had never been refined. It had grown complacent and proud. But the day was coming when God would send people to pour out its wine and smash its jars. Moab would be ashamed of its god Chemosh, just as Israel had been ashamed of its idol at Bethel.
11 "Moab has lived a comfortable, undisturbed life from the very beginning, like wine that has been sitting still on its sediment for years. It has never been poured from one container to another or sent away into exile. So its character has never changed -- it still has the same old flavor and the same old smell." Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.
12 "But the time is coming, the Lord announces, when I will send workers who will tip Moab over and pour it out. They will drain every last jar and smash every jug to pieces." Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will send unto him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander, and shall empty his vessels, and break their bottles.
13 "Then Moab will be ashamed of their god Chemosh. It will be just like when the people of Israel were ashamed for trusting in the golden calf at Bethel." And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Beth-el their confidence.
14 "How dare you brag, 'We are tough soldiers, mighty warriors built for battle'?" How say ye, We are mighty and strong men for the war?
15 "Moab is being torn apart, and enemy soldiers have stormed into its cities. Its finest young men have been led away to be slaughtered. This is the announcement of the King, whose name is the Lord of Armies." Moab is spoiled, and gone up out of her cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.
16 "Moab's collapse is just around the corner. Disaster is racing toward it at full speed." The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast.
17 "Grieve for Moab, all you neighboring countries and everyone who knows its reputation. Say, 'What a tragedy! The mighty ruler's power has been snapped in two like a stick! That beautiful, glorious authority has been shattered!'" All ye that are about him, bemoan him; and all ye that know his name, say, How is the strong staff broken, and the beautiful rod!
18 "Step down from your high position and sit in the dirt, people of Dibon! The force that is destroying Moab is heading your way, and it will demolish your walled defenses." Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds.
19 "Stand beside the road and keep watch, people of Aroer. Grab the men running past and the women escaping, and ask them, 'What in the world happened?'" O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and espy; ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, and say, What is done?
20 "Moab is disgraced because it has been broken apart. Weep and shout! Spread the word along the Arnon River -- tell everyone that Moab has fallen!" Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,
Judgment Falls on Every City
Study note
This section lists many more Moabite cities and towns that would face judgment. Moab's power, described as a horn (a symbol of strength) and an arm, would be broken. God would cause Moab to stagger like a drunk man because Moab had boasted against the Lord. Even God himself expresses sorrow over Moab's destruction, comparing the lost vineyards of Sibmah to the wine and joy that would cease. The harvest celebrations and the sound of wine-treading in the presses would fall silent.
21 "God's judgment has landed on the plateau cities -- on Holon, Jahzah, and Mephaath," And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,
22 "on Dibon, Nebo, and Beth-Diblathaim," And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Beth-diblathaim,
23 "on Kiriathaim, Beth-Gamul, and Beth-Meon," And upon Kiriathaim, and upon Beth-gamul, and upon Beth-meon,
24 "on Kerioth, Bozrah, and every other city in Moab, whether near or far." And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near.
25 "Moab's power has been chopped off like a horn. Its mighty arm has been snapped. This is the Lord's declaration." The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.
26 "Make Moab stumble around like a drunk, because it dared to boast against the Lord! Moab will fall face-first into its own vomit and become a laughingstock." Make ye him drunken: for he magnified himself against the LORD: Moab also shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision.
27 "Moab, did you not mock Israel? Was Israel some kind of criminal that you caught stealing? Every time you mentioned Israel's name, you sneered and shook your head." For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy.
28 "Abandon your cities, people of Moab! Go make your homes among the rocky cliffs. Be like a dove that builds its nest on the edge of a deep cave opening." O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock, and be like the dove that maketh her nest in the sides of the hole's mouth.
29 "Everyone has heard about Moab's pride — such huge, puffed-up bragging, such smugness and such a snobbish attitude." We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart.
30 "I know all about how conceited Moab is, says the Lord, but all that big talk is empty. Its boasting does not accomplish a single thing." I know his wrath, saith the LORD; but it shall not be so; his lies shall not so effect it.
31 "Therefore I weep for Moab. I mourn for the entire nation. My heart aches for the people of Kir-Heres." Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kir-heres.
32 "I cry for you even harder than I cried for Jazer, you grapevines of Sibmah. Your branches used to stretch all the way to the sea and reach as far as the town of Jazer. But the destroyer has trampled your fruit harvest and crushed your grapes." O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer: thy plants are gone over the sea, they reach even to the sea of Jazer: the spoiler is fallen upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage.
33 "All happiness and celebration have vanished from the farms and orchards of Moab. I have cut off the supply of wine from the presses. Nobody stomps on grapes with joyful shouts anymore. Whatever shouting there is, it is not the sound of joy." And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting.
Moab's Pride Leads to Ruin
Study note
The cries of mourning echo from city to city across Moab. God declares that no one will offer sacrifices on the high places anymore. His heart mourns for Moab like the sound of a sad flute. Every head will be shaved and every beard trimmed in mourning. People will wear rough sackcloth and cut their hands -- all signs of extreme grief. God has broken Moab like a useless pot, and the nation will become an object of shame and horror to its neighbors.
34 "Cries from Heshbon can be heard all the way to Elealeh and Jahaz. They reach from Zoar to Horonaim and Eglath-Shelishiyah. Even the waters of Nimrim have completely dried up." From the cry of Heshbon even unto Elealeh, and even unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice, from Zoar even unto Horonaim, as an heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate.
35 "I will put a stop to everyone in Moab who goes to the hilltop shrines and burns incense to their false gods, says the Lord." Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the LORD, him that offereth in the high places, and him that burneth incense to his gods.
36 "Therefore my heart moans for Moab like the sad notes of a funeral flute. My heart plays that same sorrowful tune for the people of Kir-Heres, because every bit of wealth they built up has vanished." Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kir-heres: because the riches that he hath gotten are perished.
37 "Every head has been shaved bald, and every beard has been cut short. Every hand is covered with cuts, and everyone has wrapped rough cloth around their waist to show their grief." For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.
38 "On every rooftop in Moab and in every town square, people are weeping. There is nothing but sadness everywhere. I have smashed Moab like a clay pot nobody wants," says the Lord. There shall be lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof: for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein is no pleasure, saith the LORD.
39 "How completely shattered it is! Listen to their wailing! See how Moab has turned away in total shame! Moab has become an object of horror and mockery to every nation around it." They shall howl, saying, How is it broken down! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him.
No Escape from God's Judgment
Study note
The invader swoops down on Moab like an eagle spreading its wings. The strongest cities and fortresses will be captured. Moab's warriors will be as helpless as a woman in labor. The nation will be completely destroyed because it boasted against the Lord. Terror, pit, and snare await the people -- even if someone escapes one danger, another will catch them. The chapter ends with a surprising note of hope: God promises to restore Moab's fortunes in the last days. Even in judgment, God's mercy extends beyond what we might expect.
40 "Because here is what the Lord says: Watch! An eagle is diving down and spreading its wings wide over Moab." For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab.
41 "The cities will be overrun, and the strongholds will be taken. When that day comes, the bravest soldiers of Moab will feel like a woman going through the pains of childbirth." Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men's hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
42 "Moab will cease to exist as a nation because it dared to defy the Lord." And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the LORD.
43 "Panic, deep pits, and hidden traps are waiting for you, people of Moab. This is the Lord's warning." Fear, and the pit, and the snare, shall be upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the LORD.
44 "If you run from the panic, you will fall into the pit. If you manage to climb out of the pit, you will get caught in the trap. I have chosen this as the year that Moab pays for what it has done, says the Lord." He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon it, even upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.
45 "The exhausted refugees huddle in the shadow of Heshbon's walls, unable to go any farther. But flames have burst out of Heshbon, a blaze from the ancient city of Sihon. It has burned across the faces and skulls of Moab's loud braggarts." They that fled stood under the shadow of Heshbon because of the force: but a fire shall come forth out of Heshbon, and a flame from the midst of Sihon, and shall devour the corner of Moab, and the crown of the head of the tumultuous ones.
46 "What a disaster for you, Moab! The followers of the god Chemosh are finished. Your sons have been dragged off as captives, and your daughters have been taken away as prisoners." Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives.
47 "But sometime in the future, I will bring Moab's good days back again, says the Lord." That is the end of the judgment on Moab. Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.
Key Themes
Themes in Jeremiah 48
Judgment on moab's prideFalse security in wealth and strengthThe failure of the god chemoshComplacency leading to destructionGod's lament even over enemy nations
Apply This Today
Living Jeremiah 48
Moab had been like wine left undisturbed, becoming complacent and proud. Comfort and ease, while not sinful in themselves, can breed a dangerous self-sufficiency that forgets God. Even in pronouncing judgment on Moab, God expresses sorrow, showing that He takes no pleasure in destruction.
Go Deeper
Study Jeremiah in Covenant Path
Read every chapter with study aids, bookmarks, and daily reading plans — free in the app.