Jeremiah 48 20

Jeremiah 48:20 kjv

Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,

Jeremiah 48:20 nkjv

Moab is shamed, for he is broken down. Wail and cry! Tell it in Arnon, that Moab is plundered.

Jeremiah 48:20 niv

Moab is disgraced, for she is shattered. Wail and cry out! Announce by the Arnon that Moab is destroyed.

Jeremiah 48:20 esv

Moab is put to shame, for it is broken; wail and cry! Tell it beside the Arnon, that Moab is laid waste.

Jeremiah 48:20 nlt

"And the reply comes back,
'Moab lies in ruins, disgraced;
weep and wail!
Tell it by the banks of the Arnon River:
Moab has been destroyed!'

Jeremiah 48 verses

Jeremiah 48 20 meaning

Jeremiah 48:20 declares the utter humiliation and complete destruction of Moab. The verse is a prophetic pronouncement that Moab's pride will be turned to disgrace, as the nation is utterly shattered. It issues a public call for mourning and distress over this devastating event, and a command to openly proclaim the demise of Moab from its significant border, the Arnon River, signifying the comprehensive nature of its downfall.

Jeremiah 48 20 Context

Jeremiah chapter 48 is entirely dedicated to a prophetic oracle against Moab, detailing its impending, comprehensive destruction by a foreign invader, specifically associated with the Babylonian empire, as a judgment from the Lord. Throughout the chapter, various cities of Moab, from north to south, are listed as targets for devastation, symbolizing the complete downfall of the nation. This specific verse, 48:20, is part of a lamentation sequence, shifting from a statement of fact ("Moab is disgraced, for it is shattered") to an urgent call for others to join in the mourning ("Wail and cry out!"), culminating in a public declaration of its destruction. Historically, Moab, located east of the Dead Sea, was a long-standing adversary of Israel, known for its pride, wealth, and worship of the idol Chemosh. Jeremiah’s prophecy polemicizes against Moab’s reliance on its material possessions, military strength, and its false deity, all of which prove powerless against the Lord’s judgment. The announcement "by the Arnon" is highly symbolic, as the Arnon River formed Moab's traditional northern border, making it a prominent point from which to broadcast its utter ruin, signaling that its very foundational territory is overthrown.

Jeremiah 48 20 Word analysis

• Moab (מוֹאָב - Mo'av): A nation often in conflict with Israel, descendant of Lot. In prophetic literature, Moab frequently symbolizes nations hostile to God and known for their arrogance, comfort, and idolatry. Its downfall here is a theological statement on God's sovereignty over all peoples.

• is disgraced (הֹבִּישָׁה - hovisha): From the root bush (בּוּשׁ), meaning to be ashamed, confounded, put to shame, or humiliated. This goes beyond mere defeat; it implies a deep sense of ignominy and exposure for a nation once so proud and secure, making its defeat sting acutely.

• for it is shattered (כִּי־חַתָּה - ki-chatta): The conjunction ki (כִּי) here means "because" or "for," indicating the reason for the disgrace. Chattah comes from chathath (חָתַת), meaning to be broken, shattered, dismayed, or crushed. This conveys the irreversible and total fragmentation of the nation, indicating it's beyond repair.

• Wail (הֵילִילוּ - heylilu): An imperative verb, "cry aloud," "lament." This is a strong command for a vocal expression of deep sorrow and despair, characteristic of ancient Near Eastern funeral rites or national calamities.

• and cry out! (וְזַעֲקוּ - vaza'aqu): An imperative, from za'aq (זָעַק), meaning "to cry out," often in distress or anguish. Coupled with "wail," it intensifies the call for an urgent and widespread emotional response to Moab's destruction.

• Declare (הַגִּידוּ - haggidu): An imperative from nagad (נָגַד), meaning "to tell," "to report," "to make known," "to proclaim." It signifies an official or public announcement, ensuring the news of Moab's fall is widely spread, leaving no room for doubt or denial.

• by the Arnon (בָּאַרְנוֹן - ba'Arnon): The Arnon River served as Moab's significant northern boundary. Declaring Moab's destruction "by the Arnon" implies the message is to be proclaimed publicly from a visible, territorial marker of Moab's former strength and domain. It indicates the judgment has swept over their entire land, from their borders inward.

• that Moab is destroyed! (כִּי־שֻׁדְּדָה - ki-shuddedah): Ki again introduces the content of the declaration. Shuddedah is from shadad (שָׁדַד), meaning "to destroy," "to devastate," "to plunder," "to lay waste." This verb speaks of violent and complete desolation, leaving nothing intact.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Moab is disgraced, for it is shattered.": This pairing succinctly presents the consequence (disgrace) and the cause (shattering) of Moab's downfall. It underscores that the shame is a direct result of their complete ruin, leaving them with no recourse or pride.
  • "Wail and cry out!": These two imperatives together form an urgent call for public lamentation. They describe the visceral, emotional outpouring expected in response to such a catastrophic national tragedy, inviting all observers to acknowledge the severity of the judgment.
  • "Declare by the Arnon that Moab is destroyed!": This command emphasizes the official, widespread proclamation of the judgment. The inclusion of "by the Arnon" highlights the geographical reach of this pronouncement, symbolizing the total territorial conquest and signaling the irreversible nature of Moab's doom.

Jeremiah 48 20 Bonus section

The specific choice of the Arnon River as the place for public declaration carries profound symbolic weight. It was not just a border but a strategic landmark, a symbol of Moab's historical and military might, often featured in accounts of their battles and claims to territory. By having the announcement of destruction emanate from this place, the prophecy underlines that even the most well-guarded or significant markers of national strength are not exempt from God's decree. The pronouncement "by the Arnon" turns a monument of Moabite identity into a platform for its demise, underscoring that their judgment is comprehensive, penetrating to the very foundations of their national existence. This highlights God's power to not only shatter nations but to repurpose their former symbols of power as testaments to His divine justice.

Jeremiah 48 20 Commentary

Jeremiah 48:20 serves as a stark declaration of God's universal sovereignty and His righteous judgment against national pride, idolatry, and hostility toward His purposes. Moab, once arrogant and trusting in its fortifications and wealth, is now exposed to profound shame. The twofold description of its fate – "disgraced" and "shattered" – highlights both the internal collapse of national honor and the external, violent destruction. The calls to "wail and cry out" are not merely descriptive; they are an urgent, prophetic summons to mourn this great fall, acknowledging the devastating impact of divine judgment. The specificity of the declaration "by the Arnon" is powerful; it is not a secret lament but a public pronouncement broadcast from Moab's own prestigious border, turning its edge of defense into a pulpit for its funeral announcement. This acts as a clear warning to all nations that exalt themselves against God's will.