Jeremiah 48 15

Jeremiah 48:15 kjv

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.

Jeremiah 48:15 nkjv

Moab is plundered and gone up from her cities; Her chosen young men have gone down to the slaughter," says the King, Whose name is the LORD of hosts.

Jeremiah 48:15 niv

Moab will be destroyed and her towns invaded; her finest young men will go down in the slaughter," declares the King, whose name is the LORD Almighty.

Jeremiah 48:15 esv

The destroyer of Moab and his cities has come up, and the choicest of his young men have gone down to slaughter, declares the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.

Jeremiah 48:15 nlt

But now Moab and his towns will be destroyed.
His most promising youth are doomed to slaughter,"
says the King, whose name is the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

Jeremiah 48 verses

Jeremiah 48 15 Meaning

This verse pronounces judgment upon Moab, declaring that its strong cities and fortified places will be laid waste, mirroring the fate of Egypt. It signifies the complete destruction and downfall of Moab's power and defenses, leading to utter desolation.

Jeremiah 48 15 Context

Jeremiah 48 is part of a larger collection of judgments against foreign nations. This chapter specifically addresses Moab, a neighboring kingdom to Israel, known for its ongoing opposition and arrogance towards God's people. The prophecy in chapter 48 comes during a period of significant upheaval, likely relating to the Babylonian invasions. Moab, like other nations, had allied with or acted against Judah, incurring divine wrath. The prophecy in this chapter reflects a consistent biblical theme of judgment against nations that defy God and oppress His chosen people. The reference to Egypt in verse 15 draws a parallel to a previous oracle concerning Egypt's imminent fall, highlighting that Moab's doom will be similarly comprehensive and devastating.

Jeremiah 48 15 Word Analysis

• "For a": Indicates a reason or cause for what is being stated.
• "messenger" (Hebrew: מַלְאָךְ - mal'ak): Can refer to a divine messenger (angel), a human messenger (envoy, ambassador), or a prophet. In this context, it points to a divinely appointed agent, possibly a human prophet or an instrument of God's judgment like an invading army, who will bring the message or execute the sentence of destruction.
• "among": Within or into the midst of.
• "the nations" (Hebrew: גּוֹיִם - goyim): Refers to the Gentile nations, distinct from Israel. Here, it signifies the broader scope of God's justice, extending beyond Judah's borders.
• "is sent": Indicates that this action is not random but divinely commissioned or directed.
• "even": Used for emphasis.
• "from": Originating from.
• "then": Marks a sequence or consequence.
• "shall Ar" (Hebrew: אָר - 'ar): The capital city of Moab, also known as Ar-Moab or Rabbath-Moab. Its destruction symbolizes the downfall of the entire nation.
• "be brought": Implies a forced action, being carried or dragged, signifying helplessness and ruin.
• "to shame" (Hebrew: בֹּשֶׁת - bosheth): Shame, disgrace, confusion. It signifies the public humiliation and loss of honor that Moab will suffer due to its defeat.
• "and": Connects clauses.
• "its": Possessive pronoun referring to Ar and by extension Moab.
• "strength" (Hebrew: עֹז - `oz): Power, might, fortified strength, defenses. This refers to their military power and fortified cities.
• "shall be": Future tense verb.
• "broken" (Hebrew: הֹפֵר - hofēr): Broken, annulled, made void. It speaks of the complete destruction of their defenses and power.
• "with": Indicates accompaniment.
• "destruction" (Hebrew: קְרִי — qeri? or a similar root meaning cutting/breaking): Indicates a shattering or complete breaking down.
• "shall be": Future tense verb.
• "shall": Indicates future certainty.
• "Esar" (Hebrew: אֵשֶׁר - esher - likely a textual variant, or could be interpreted as "written" or "accounted" related to sharar or sharah) / "the sword" (Hebrew: חֶרֶב - chereb): The primary instrument of warfare and destruction.
• "like": Simile introducing comparison.
• "as": Indicating manner or similarity.
• "the": Definite article.
• "houses" (Hebrew: בַּיִת - bayith): Buildings, dwellings. Refers to their homes and structures.
• "of": Preposition.
• "Egypt" (Hebrew: מִצְרַיִם - Mitsrayim): Refers to the nation of Egypt. The comparison emphasizes the thoroughness of the coming judgment.
• "is": Present tense verb, or omitted in Hebrew.
• "Moab" (Hebrew: מוֹאָב - Mo'ab): The subject nation being addressed.
• "yea": Indeed, truly; used for strong affirmation.
• "Mizraim" (Hebrew: מִצְרַיִם - Mitsrayim): Another Hebrew name for Egypt.

Group Analysis: The verse speaks of a divine messenger sent to pronounce judgment. This messenger's purpose is to bring shame upon the capital city, Ar, signifying the fall of Moab. The strength and fortifications of Moab will be utterly broken with the sword, a destruction that will be as complete and devastating as what is predicted for Egypt. The repeated mention of "Egypt" (Mizraim) underscores the severity and comprehensiveness of the judgment against Moab, placing it on par with a nation already slated for significant divine wrath due to its pride and actions against God's people.

Jeremiah 48 15 Bonus Section

The mention of "Ar" signifies that the judgment targets the very heart of Moab's national identity and power. The concept of shame ("bosheth") is significant in ancient Near Eastern cultures, representing a total loss of honor and status. For Moab, which often prided itself on its strength and resistance, this would be a profound humiliation. The repeated reference to Egypt (Mizraim) suggests that Moab's punishment will mirror the extensive prophecies already issued against Egypt in chapters 46. This juxtaposition highlights God's comprehensive justice that extends to all nations. The oracle here is part of a larger discourse by Jeremiah demonstrating that no nation, however powerful or defiant, is exempt from God's reckoning.

Jeremiah 48 15 Commentary

This verse succinctly encapsulates God's sovereign judgment against Moab. It’s not merely a prophecy of military defeat but a spiritual and national indictment. The sending of a "messenger" implies a deliberate divine decree, carried out through earthly means (likely the Babylonian armies). The consequence is "shame" and the breaking of their "strength" (fortifications and power). The comparison to Egypt emphasizes the completeness of the destruction; as God was dealing with Egypt, so would He deal with Moab. This speaks to God's consistent standard for nations that defy Him and oppress His people. The fall of Moab serves as a stark warning of the inevitable consequences of pride, idolatry, and rebellion against the Almighty, mirroring the broader message of judgment and accountability found throughout the Old Testament.