Jeremiah 48 1

Jeremiah 48:1 kjv

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.

Jeremiah 48:1 nkjv

Against Moab. Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Woe to Nebo! For it is plundered, Kirjathaim is shamed and taken; The high stronghold is shamed and dismayed?

Jeremiah 48:1 niv

Concerning Moab: This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Woe to Nebo, for it will be ruined. Kiriathaim will be disgraced and captured; the stronghold will be disgraced and shattered.

Jeremiah 48:1 esv

Concerning Moab. Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Woe to Nebo, for it is laid waste! Kiriathaim is put to shame, it is taken; the fortress is put to shame and broken down;

Jeremiah 48:1 nlt

This message was given concerning Moab. This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, says: "What sorrow awaits the city of Nebo;
it will soon lie in ruins.
The city of Kiriathaim will be humiliated and captured;
the fortress will be humiliated and broken down.

Jeremiah 48 verses

Jeremiah 48 1 Meaning

Jeremiah 48:1 declares a prophetic oracle of judgment against Moab, a nation historically opposed to Israel. The verse opens with a direct declaration from the LORD, identifying Himself as the "LORD of hosts" and the "God of Israel," thereby asserting His universal sovereignty and His specific covenant relationship. The core message is a "woe" pronounced upon Moab, specifically targeting prominent cities like Nebo and Kiriathaim, as well as their collective "stronghold" or strategic fortifications. This "woe" signifies not merely destruction but profound shame, disgrace, and utter ruin for these formerly secure and proud locations, indicating a comprehensive and humiliating defeat for the nation of Moab.

Jeremiah 48 1 Context

Jeremiah 48 is part of a series of prophetic oracles (Jeremiah 46-51) specifically directed against foreign nations. These pronouncements serve to demonstrate the LORD's universal sovereignty, not just over Israel but over all the earth. The oracle against Moab is notably long and detailed, suggesting the significant and often hostile relationship between Moab and Israel throughout biblical history. Historically, Moab, located east of the Dead Sea, was known for its pride, wealth, and worship of the deity Chemosh. This chapter details their impending desolation by a destructive force, implicitly Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar, as God's instrument of judgment. Verse 1 initiates this comprehensive pronouncement of woe, focusing on the downfall and disgrace of Moab's principal cities and fortified places, highlighting the shame that accompanies divine retribution for their arrogance and animosity towards God's people.

Jeremiah 48 1 Word analysis

• Concerning Moab:

  • Moab (מוֹאָב - Mô’āv): A nation located east of the Dead Sea, descendants of Lot. Historically, Moab was frequently antagonistic towards Israel, engaging in various conflicts and instances of opposition (e.g., Numbers 22, Judges 3, 2 Kings 3). The specificity here indicates this oracle is directly and solely addressed to their nation, signaling comprehensive judgment.

• Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel:

  • Thus says (כֹּה אָמַר - koh ’amar): This is a standard prophetic formula, used by Jeremiah and other prophets to indicate that the following words are not human utterance but a direct divine communication. It emphasizes the ultimate authority and truthfulness of the pronouncement.
  • the LORD of hosts (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת - Yahweh Tseba’ot): A powerful title for God, emphasizing His sovereign command over heavenly armies (angels) and earthly forces (nations, creation). It speaks to His immense power and authority, demonstrating that He orchestrates global events and judges all peoples. His power is limitless, extending beyond Israel to Moab.
  • the God of Israel (אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - ’Elohei Yiśrā’ēl): While the oracle is against a foreign nation, this title highlights His covenant relationship with Israel. It implies that His judgment upon Moab is, in part, due to their animosity towards His chosen people and demonstrates that He, the covenant God of Israel, is sovereign over all nations and capable of bringing judgment upon them.

• 'Woe to Nebo:

  • Woe (הוֹי - hôy): A prophetic exclamation denoting deep lament, mourning, or impending disaster. It serves as a strong denunciation and warning of divine judgment and its consequences, not merely a lament over misfortune, but a declaration of condemnation.
  • Nebo (נְבוֹ - Nevô): A prominent Moabite city. While Mt. Nebo (where Moses died) is related geographically, this refers to a fortified urban center in Moab, important for its strategic location or economic activity. Its destruction would symbolize a major blow to Moab.

• for it is laid waste!:

  • is laid waste! (בֻּשָׁה - bushah): More literally translated as "is put to shame," "disgraced," or "confounded." It signifies not merely physical destruction but a public and humiliating failure. The city's downfall is a source of shame for Moab, reflecting the impotence of their gods and defenses.

• Kiriathaim is put to shame and captured;:

  • Kiriathaim (קִרְיָתַיִם - Qiryātayim): Another significant Moabite city, likely meaning "two cities" or "double city," perhaps due to its structure or function. Its prominence makes its fall particularly symbolic of Moab's overall collapse.
  • is put to shame (בּוֹשָׁה - bôšāh): Repeats the idea of disgrace and humiliation that accompanies the city's ruin. Their strength proves ineffective.
  • and captured (וְנִלְכְּדָה - vᵉnilkᵉdâ): Emphasizes that the city has been militarily conquered and taken over, highlighting the completion of its overthrow.

• The stronghold is put to shame and broken down:

  • The stronghold (הַמִּשְׂגָּב - ha-Misgāv): This term can refer to a general fortified place or a specific city/fortress known as Misgab (e.g., 48:7, Misgab). Many scholars interpret it as a specific major Moabite fortified location. Its inclusion further underscores the comprehensiveness of Moab's destruction – even their strongest defenses would fall.
  • is put to shame (בּוֹשָׁה - bôšāh): Once more, the humiliating aspect of defeat for their fortified places. What they trusted in fails.
  • and broken down (וְחַתָּה - vᵉhattâh): Signifies the complete shattering, dismaying, or terrorizing of the defense system and the spirit of the defenders. It denotes utter destruction and ruin beyond repair.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel": This opening formula establishes the divine authority behind the message and highlights God's attributes as the all-powerful sovereign over creation and nations, yet uniquely covenanted with Israel. It signals that Moab's judgment is not merely a geopolitical event but an act of the Almighty God.
  • "'Woe to Nebo, for it is laid waste! Kiriathaim is put to shame and captured; The stronghold is put to shame and broken down.": This lament encapsulates the fate of Moab. The repetition of "put to shame" underscores the ignominy of their downfall, which would be seen as a failure of their gods and their own boasts. The swift, sequential pronouncements for three distinct aspects (city, another city, general stronghold) indicate a widespread and overwhelming catastrophe across the entire Moabite territory.

Jeremiah 48 1 Bonus section

The oracle against Moab in Jeremiah 48 is notable for its almost lament-like quality, reflecting deep emotion despite being a judgment pronouncement. This can be understood as prophetic empathy, a sense of grief over the destruction, even of an enemy nation, highlighting God's justice mixed with a sober recognition of human suffering under judgment. Moab, historically, often took advantage of Israel's weakness or contributed to their distress, particularly during times of Babylonian invasions, intensifying God's judgment upon them. The comprehensive nature of the oracle, detailing numerous cities, showcases a thorough knowledge of Moab's geography and key sites, implying the inescapable nature of the coming calamity. This detailed geography also provided the original audience with concrete, tangible understanding of the scale of the impending disaster. The specific mention of "the stronghold" (Ha-Misgav) might also subtly highlight God as the true stronghold for His people (Psalm 18:2, 31:3), contrasting the fleeting and fallible human or national defenses.

Jeremiah 48 1 Commentary

Jeremiah 48:1 serves as a stark opening to one of the most extended and vivid oracles against a single foreign nation in the Old Testament. The phrase "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel" is not merely a formality but a foundational assertion of divine authority. It proclaims that the God who leads heavenly armies and is in covenant with Israel is simultaneously the supreme ruler over all nations, possessing the right and power to judge. The "woe" pronounced upon Moab signifies not simply sorrow for their impending fate but a divine decree of judgment against their national pride (mentioned explicitly later in the chapter, e.g., 48:29) and idolatry (worship of Chemosh). The targeting of key cities like Nebo, Kiriathaim, and "the stronghold" emphasizes the totality of this divine retribution. The recurring idea of being "put to shame" highlights that Moab's defeat will be utterly humiliating, undermining their past glory, wealth, and trust in false gods. This shame would underscore the impotence of their deities and the invincibility of Yahweh. The destruction signifies the certainty of God's word and His unwavering commitment to justice, extending even to those outside His direct covenant who defy His universal moral order.