Jeremiah 48:1-6

Judgment on Moab

1 ¹Concerning Moab. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Woe to ²Nebo, for it is laid waste! ³Kiriathaim is put to shame, it is taken; the fortress is put to shame ⁴and broken down;

2 the renown of Moab is no more. In ⁵Heshbon they planned disaster against her: ‘Come, let us cut her off ⁶from being a nation! ’You also, O ⁷Madmen, shall be brought to silence; the sword shall pursue you.

3 “A voice! A cry from ⁸Horonaim, ‘Desolation and great destruction! ’

4 Moab is destroyed; her little ones have made a cry.

5 ⁹For at the ascent of Luhith they go up weeping; ^[a] for ¹⁰at the descent of Horonaim they have heard the distressed cry^[b] of destruction.

6 Flee! Save yourselves! You will be like ¹¹a juniper in the desert!

Jeremiah 48:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 48

This chapter contains a prophecy of the destruction of Moab, and of the mourning that should be for it; and not only its destruction in general is predicted, but particular places are mentioned, on which it should fall, Jer 48:1-5; the causes of which were their confidence in their works and riches, their carnal ease and security, and their idolatry, they should now be ashamed of, Jer 48:6-13; and this destruction is represented both as certain and as near, notwithstanding their mighty warriors and choice young men, Jer 48:14-17; and then other cities are particularly named, that should share in the calamity, Jer 48:18-25; and all this because of their insolence to the Lord; their contempt of his people; their pride, arrogance, and haughtiness; their wrath, and their lies, Jer 48:26-30; and this destruction is further exaggerated by the lamentation of the prophet over Moab in general, and over several particular cities; and by the lamentation of the inhabitants of them, because of the spoiling of their vines, their fruits, and their riches, Jer 48:31-39; and this is confirmed by the Lord, as to the swiftness of the enemy that should destroy them; the consternation and fear that should seize them; the flight they should be put to; and the consumption and captivity of them, Jer 48:40-46; and the chapter is concluded with a promise of the return of their captivity in the latter day, Jer 48:47.

Cross References

• 1. 48:1 ch. 25:21; 2 Kgs. 24:2; See Isa. 15–16; Ezek. 25:8-11; Amos 2:1-3; Zeph. 2:8, 9
• 2. 48:1 ver. 22; Num. 32:3
• 3. 48:1 ver. 23; Num. 32:37; Josh. 13:19; Ezek. 25:9
• 4. 48:1 ver. 20, 39
• 5. 48:2 ver. 34, 45; ch. 49:3; Num. 32:37; Isa. 15:4
• 6. 48:2 [ch. 31:36]
• 7. 48:2 [Isa. 10:31]
• 8. 48:3 Isa. 15:5; [ver. 34]
• 9. 48:5 [See ver. 3 above]
• 10. 48:5 [See ver. 3 above]
• 11. 48:6 ch. 17:6

Footnotes

• [a] 48:5 Hebrew 'weeping goes up with weeping'
• [b] 48:5 Septuagint (compare Isaiah 15:5) 'heard the cry'