Jeremiah 48 19

Jeremiah 48:19 kjv

O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and espy; ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, and say, What is done?

Jeremiah 48:19 nkjv

O inhabitant of Aroer, Stand by the way and watch; Ask him who flees And her who escapes; Say, 'What has happened?'

Jeremiah 48:19 niv

Stand by the road and watch, you who live in Aroer. Ask the man fleeing and the woman escaping, ask them, 'What has happened?'

Jeremiah 48:19 esv

Stand by the way and watch, O inhabitant of Aroer! Ask him who flees and her who escapes; say, 'What has happened?'

Jeremiah 48:19 nlt

You people of Aroer,
stand beside the road and watch.
Shout to those who flee from Moab,
'What has happened there?'

Jeremiah 48 verses

Jeremiah 48 19 Meaning

This verse vividly portrays the devastation and judgment upon Moab. It announces that the inhabitants are to flee and that their cities will be ruined and uninhabited. The imagery suggests a complete downfall, leaving Moab barren and without any semblance of its former strength or prosperity.

Jeremiah 48 19 Context

Jeremiah 48 delivers a prophecy of judgment against Moab. Moab had a history of animosity towards Israel, including participation in the desecration of the sanctuary and defiance against God's people (Numbers 25:1-3; 2 Samuel 8:2). In this chapter, God, through Jeremiah, pronounces severe destruction upon Moab for its pride, idolatry, and mistreatment of Judah, particularly after the fall of Jerusalem. The chapter details the utter ruin of its cities, the flight of its people, and the complete desolation that will befall the land. This judgment aligns with broader prophetic themes of divine retribution against nations that oppose God and His covenant people. The timing of this prophecy is likely during the reign of Zedekiah in Judah, preceding or coinciding with the Babylonian exile.

Jeremiah 48 19 Word analysis

• "Flee" (Hebrew: נֻדוּ, nudū): Imperative, plural. Calls for active movement away from impending destruction. It signifies an urgent, panicked escape.
• "save yourselves" (Hebrew: הוֹשִׁיעוּ, hōshīʿū): Imperative, plural. A plea for preservation, for deliverance from the impending doom.
• "and be" (Hebrew: וִהְיוּ, wehīyū): Imperative, plural and imperfect conjunction. Connects the command to flee with a resultant state or characteristic.
• "like a wilderness shrub" (Hebrew: כְּשִׂיחַ בָּעֲרָבָה, kĕsiyaḥ bāʿărābāh): Simile. Compares their escape and subsequent state to a plant that grows in desolate, arid places, implying wildness, uprootedness, and a lack of security or permanent habitation. It suggests being scattered and insignificant, exposed to the elements and hardship.
• "the cities" (Hebrew: הֶעָרִים, heʿārīm): Plural. Refers to Moab's established settlements.
• "of Moab" (Hebrew: מוֹאָב, Mōʾāḇ): The nation being addressed.
• "shall become desolate" (Hebrew: תִּהְיֶינָה שְׁמָמָה, tīhəyənnāh šĕmāmāh): Future passive, feminine plural. Foretells a future state of emptiness, ruin, and abandonment for their cities.
• "and there shall be no dweller" (Hebrew: וְאֵין יוֹשֵׁב, wəʾên yōšēḇ): Construct phrase. Emphasizes the total lack of inhabitants, signifying complete depopulation.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Flee, save yourselves": This pair of commands highlights the immediate and desperate need for escape. It's not just a general directive but a direct instruction for self-preservation in the face of unavoidable judgment.
• "be like a wilderness shrub": This simile powerfully conveys the vulnerability and exposed state of those who flee. A wild shrub in the desert is subject to harsh conditions, lacks deep roots, and is often unrooted and carried away. It suggests that their survival will be precarious and without settled comfort.
• "the cities of Moab shall become desolate and there shall be no dweller": This phrase encapsulates the comprehensive destruction predicted. "Desolate" (שְׁמָמָה) implies not just emptiness but also a state of ruin and wastage. The addition of "no dweller" reinforces the totality of this abandonment, leaving no remnant to inhabit the land.

Jeremiah 48 19 Bonus section

The prophecy against Moab serves as a testament to God's sovereign hand over all nations. It demonstrates that even nations with a long history and established power structures are subject to divine judgment when they act against God's will and people. The theme of desolation and scattering finds echoes in other prophetic judgments against nations, reinforcing the consequences of persistent opposition to the Almighty. The eventual desolation of Moab is a fulfillment of earlier prophetic pronouncements, highlighting the consistent character of God's justice throughout biblical history.

Jeremiah 48 19 Commentary

The command to flee and save themselves is an urgent call to survival, a stark contrast to the pride of Moab. The simile of a "wilderness shrub" underscores their impending state of dispersion and vulnerability. They will be like plants uprooted and exposed to the harsh elements, lacking stability and security. The judgment upon Moab's cities is absolute: they will become empty ruins with no inhabitants. This emphasizes the completeness of God's wrath against their rebellion, pride, and mistreatment of His people. The prophecy paints a picture of utter devastation, leaving no trace of Moab's former prominence or existence.