1 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 [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 A voice of crying [shall be] from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction.
4 Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.
5 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 Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.
7 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 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 wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell therein.
10 Cursed [be] he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed [be] he that keepeth back his sword from blood.
11 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 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 And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their confidence.
14 How say ye, We [are] mighty and strong men for the war?
15 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 The calamity of Moab [is] near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast.
17 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 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 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 confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,
21 And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,
22 And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Bethdiblathaim,
23 And upon Kiriathaim, and upon Bethgamul, and upon Bethmeon,
24 And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near.
25 The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.
26 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 For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy.
28 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 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 his wrath, saith the LORD; but [it shall] not [be] so; his lies shall not so effect [it].
31 Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; [mine heart] shall mourn for the men of Kirheres.
32 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 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.
34 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 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 mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kirheres: because the riches [that] he hath gotten are perished.
37 For every head [shall be] bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands [shall be] cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.
38 [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 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.
40 For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab.
41 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 And Moab shall be destroyed from [being] a people, because he hath magnified [himself] against the LORD.
43 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, [shall be] upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the LORD.
44 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 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 Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives.
47 Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far [is] the judgment of Moab.
Overview of Jeremiah 48
Jeremiah 48 is a prophetic chapter that focuses on the judgment against Moab, a neighboring nation to Israel. The chapter serves as a lamentation for Moab and outlines the reasons for its impending destruction due to its pride, idolatry, and reliance on its own strength rather than on God. The chapter is rich in imagery and metaphors, reflecting the seriousness of God’s judgment.
Structure of the Chapter
- Verses 1-10: Prophecy of Moab’s Destruction
- Verses 11-17: Moab’s Pride and False Security
- Verses 18-25: Call to Mourning and Lamentation
- Verses 26-30: Reasons for Judgment
- Verses 31-47: Conclusion and Hope for Restoration
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-10: Prophecy of Moab’s Destruction
This section opens with a declaration of judgment against Moab. The prophet Jeremiah uses vivid imagery to describe the destruction that will come upon Moab, emphasizing the futility of its military strength and alliances.
- Moab’s pride is highlighted, as it is said to be “destroyed” and “made desolate.”
- The mention of cities like “Kiriathaim” and “Heshbon” signifies the specific places that will face devastation.
- The call for the “sword” to come against Moab indicates the method of judgment—military conquest.
Verses 11-17: Moab’s Pride and False Security
In these verses, the text reflects on Moab’s complacency and false sense of security. Moab is described as being “at ease” and “settled on its lees,” a metaphor for being stagnant and unprepared for disaster.
- The imagery of wine being left undisturbed illustrates Moab’s lack of vigilance.
- Moab’s reliance on its own strength and resources is criticized, emphasizing the futility of self-reliance.
- The call for the nations to come and mourn for Moab indicates a recognition of its downfall as a significant event.
Verses 18-25: Call to Mourning and Lamentation
This section shifts to a tone of mourning, urging the inhabitants of Moab to lament their fate. The call for mourning underscores the severity of the judgment and the loss that will be experienced.
- The “daughter of Moab” is personified, emphasizing the emotional impact of the destruction.
- Specific cities are mentioned again, reinforcing the geographical scope of the judgment.
- The lamentation reflects the communal nature of grief in ancient cultures, highlighting the collective loss of identity and heritage.
Verses 26-30: Reasons for Judgment
In this section, the reasons for Moab’s impending judgment are articulated. The text points to Moab’s pride and idolatry as primary causes for its downfall.
- Moab is accused of being “proud” and “arrogant,” which are seen as direct offenses against God.
- The mention of “Chemosh,” the Moabite god, illustrates the idolatrous practices that have led to divine displeasure.
- The consequences of these actions are made clear: the judgment will be severe and inescapable.
Verses 31-47: Conclusion and Hope for Restoration
The chapter concludes with a mixture of despair and a glimmer of hope. While the judgment is pronounced, there is also an acknowledgment of the possibility of restoration for Moab.
- The call for mourning continues, but it is coupled with a recognition that God has not completely forsaken Moab.
- The mention of “the remnant” implies that there may be a future for Moab, albeit after a period of judgment.
- The final verses reflect a broader theme of redemption, suggesting that even in judgment, God’s mercy is present.
Thematic Elements
- Pride and Humility: The chapter emphasizes the dangers of pride and the importance of humility before God.
- Judgment and Consequence: The inevitability of divine judgment is a central theme, illustrating the consequences of turning away from God.
- Hope and Restoration: Despite the harsh judgment, there is a thread of hope for restoration, reflecting God’s ultimate desire for redemption.
Conclusion
Jeremiah 48 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of pride and idolatry, while also offering a glimpse of hope for redemption. The chapter’s vivid imagery and emotional depth make it a poignant reflection on the relationship between God and nations, emphasizing the need for humility and reliance on divine strength.
