Jeremiah 48 12

Jeremiah 48:12 kjv

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.

Jeremiah 48:12 nkjv

"Therefore behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "That I shall send him wine-workers Who will tip him over And empty his vessels And break the bottles.

Jeremiah 48:12 niv

But days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will send men who pour from pitchers, and they will pour her out; they will empty her pitchers and smash her jars.

Jeremiah 48:12 esv

"Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I shall send to him pourers who will pour him, and empty his vessels and break his jars in pieces.

Jeremiah 48:12 nlt

But the time is coming soon," says the LORD,
"when I will send men to pour him from his jar.
They will pour him out,
then shatter the jar!

Jeremiah 48 verses

Jeremiah 48 12 Meaning

The verse signifies that Moab will be severely punished and its rich produce and vineyards will be laid waste. A pervasive sense of despair and destruction will afflict the Moabites as they are overwhelmed by an enemy. Their precious wealth and celebrated commodities will be lost, leading to deep lamentation and the abandonment of celebration.

Jeremiah 48 12 Context

Jeremiah 48 is a prophecy specifically addressing the judgment of Moab. Moab had a history of animosity towards Israel and had sinned against God, often mocking and oppressing His people. This chapter outlines the severe consequences Moab would face for its pride and wickedness, particularly through the impending Babylonian invasion. Verse 12 stands as a poignant declaration of this coming devastation, emphasizing the cessation of their agricultural prosperity and the pervading sorrow that will engulf the land. The context involves a consistent theme throughout the prophetic books of judgment on surrounding nations who defied God and afflicted His people.

Jeremiah 48 12 Word analysis

• "But surely":

  • "But" (Hebrew: וְעַתָּה - we'attah): Indicates a transition, a turning point, or an emphasis on what is to follow.
  • "surely" (Hebrew: כִּי־בֹא־יָבֹא - kî·vō'-yāvō'): A strong affirmation using a doubling of the verb "to come" or "to happen," signifying certainty and imminence. It conveys an absolute assurance that what is stated will indeed occur.

• "the days are coming":

  • "the days" (Hebrew: יָמִים - yāmîm): Plural of "day," referring to a period of time.
  • "are coming" (Hebrew: בֹא — bō'): The infinitive construct of the verb meaning "to come" or "to arrive." The phrasing signifies the arrival of a specific time or period.

• "declares the LORD":

  • "declares" (Hebrew: נְאֻם — ne'um): A formulaic expression indicating a proclamation or oracle from God.
  • "the LORD" (Hebrew: יְהוָה — YHWH): The personal covenant name of God, emphasizing His divine authority.

• "when I will send":

  • "when" (Hebrew: כִּי — kî): Can mean "when" or "because," here signifying a time when.
  • "I will send" (Hebrew: שָׁלַחְתִּי — shâlâḥtî): First-person singular perfect tense of the verb "to send," indicating a completed action in future time, expressing certainty of the sending.

• "watchers":

  • "watchers" (Hebrew: צֹפִים — tsofîm): A Hebrew word that can mean "watchmen," "observers," or "scouts." In this context, it refers to those who meticulously observe, scrutinize, or evaluate, often implying a searching or prying intent.

• "against Moab":

  • "against" (Hebrew: עַל — 'al): A preposition often indicating "upon," "against," or "over."
  • "Moab": Refers to the people and land of Moab, situated east of the Jordan River.

• "even sievers":

  • "even" (Hebrew: גַּם — gam): A conjunction meaning "also," "even," or "indeed."
  • "sievers" (Hebrew: מְמַצִּים — mĕmaṣṣîm): From the root meaning "to strain," "to filter," or "to sieve." It implies those who would sift or search through meticulously, separating and discerning. In this context, it suggests an exhaustive and invasive examination, leaving nothing unchecked.

• "and casks of wine":

  • "and" (Hebrew: וְ — wĕ): Conjunction connecting elements.
  • "casks" (Hebrew: אָתֹּון — 'attôn): Often translated as "vat" or "wine press," referring to the large containers or places where grapes were crushed for wine.
  • "of wine" (Hebrew: יַיִן — yayin): Means "wine." This refers to the produce of their vineyards, symbolizing their prosperity and means of enjoyment.

• "their vintage":

  • "their" (Hebrew: כַּמָּה — kammâ): Possessive pronoun indicating belonging to them.
  • "vintage" (Hebrew: בְּצִיר — bəṣîr): Refers to the gathering of grapes or the fruit of the grapevine, signifying harvest time and its bounty.

• " shall be wine wasted":

  • "shall be wine" (Hebrew: יִשְׁתַּכַּר — yišəəttakkar): A Hebrew word meaning "to be rendered intoxicating" or "to make drunk." Here it is used idiomatically and translated with the sense of being poured out, spoiled, or rendered useless, like spilled wine that intoxicates no one.
  • "wasted" (Hebrew: עָרֹם — 'arōm): Means "naked" or "empty." This conveys the sense of desolation and the removal of any covering or substance, leaving nothing of value. In the context of wine, it means poured out, spilled, and therefore, wasted. The implication is the complete desolation of their valuable commodity.

Jeremiah 48 12 Bonus section

The phrase "wine wasted" (or "spoiled wine") vividly captures the essence of the impending disaster. It reflects the cultural significance of wine as a symbol of blessing, joy, and prosperity in the ancient Near East. To have one's wine spoiled meant not only economic loss but also the desecration of what was considered a divine gift. The "watchers and sievers" further suggests a methodical and complete devastation, indicating that no resource or secret of Moab would escape the invaders' thorough search and plunder. The verse anticipates the Assyrian or Babylonian destruction of Moab, fitting into the broader prophetic theme of divine retribution against nations that opposed God and oppressed His people.

Jeremiah 48 12 Commentary

Jeremiah 48:12 paints a stark picture of divine judgment upon Moab. The coming days will witness the deployment of forces described as "watchers" and "sievers," metaphorically representing meticulous invaders who will thoroughly examine and plunder Moab. These attackers will be so exhaustive that even the wine in their presses and casks will be "wine wasted" (Hebrew: יִשְׁתַּכַּר, yišəəttakkar), meaning it will be spilled, rendered useless, and thus symbolically "drunk" or spoiled beyond recovery. This speaks to the complete loss of Moab's most prized possessions and sources of joy and celebration – their abundant vineyards and the wine they produced. Their former prosperity would turn into a source of sorrow. The pronouncement highlights that judgment is not merely punitive but also exhaustive, leaving no aspect of their wealth or comfort untouched. The consequence for Moab's defiance and arrogance would be a thorough stripping away of everything they valued.