Jeremiah 48 21

Jeremiah 48:21 kjv

And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,

Jeremiah 48:21 nkjv

"And judgment has come on the plain country: On Holon and Jahzah and Mephaath,

Jeremiah 48:21 niv

Judgment has come to the plateau? to Holon, Jahzah and Mephaath,

Jeremiah 48:21 esv

"Judgment has come upon the tableland, upon Holon, and Jahzah, and Mephaath,

Jeremiah 48:21 nlt

Judgment has been poured out on the towns of the plateau ?
on Holon and Jahaz and Mephaath,

Jeremiah 48 verses

Jeremiah 48 21 meaning

Jeremiah 48:21 declares the definitive arrival of divine judgment upon the Moabite territory known as "the plain country," specifically naming Holon, Jahzah, and Mephaath as targets. This verse signals the commencement of widespread devastation, highlighting the precise and comprehensive nature of God's impending retribution against Moab.

Jeremiah 48 21 Context

Jeremiah chapter 48 delivers an extensive prophetic declaration detailing the complete and inescapable destruction of Moab. The chapter describes the sorrow, lamentation, and ruin that will befall its cities, inhabitants, and even its national god, Chemosh. Verse 21 initiates a precise list of towns and geographical areas within Moab that will specifically experience this devastating judgment.

Historically, Moab was an ancient kingdom situated east of the Dead Sea, characterized by its long-standing rivalry with Israel and its devotion to the idol Chemosh. Its land, including the "plain country" (Mishor), was fertile and strategic. The prophecy of judgment here is a powerful polemic against Moab's arrogant independence, its idolatry, and its frequent hostility towards the covenant people of God. The explicit naming of places underscores God's absolute sovereignty, detailed knowledge of nations, and the certainty that His word will be fulfilled, debunking any false hope Moab might have placed in its own strength or pagan deities.

Jeremiah 48 21 Word analysis

• Judgment (מִשְׁפָּט – mishpat): This Hebrew term signifies more than mere punishment. It encompasses a righteous legal verdict, a divine decree, and the administration of justice. In this context, it speaks to God's authoritative assessment of Moab's sins and His just execution of the resulting consequences, demonstrating that the destruction is not arbitrary but a considered act of divine righteousness.
• has come upon (בָּא אֶל – ba el): This phrase uses the perfect tense, which, in prophetic discourse, indicates the absolute certainty and imminence of an event. It conveys a sense of active and forceful arrival, asserting that the judgment is not a mere threat but a declared, unfolding reality. It emphasizes the direct divine agency in the unfolding events.
• the plain country (מִישׁוֹר – Mishor): Literally "level place" or "plateau." This term refers to the elevated plateau region of Moab, a significant geographical and often fertile area east of the Jordan River. Its specific mention indicates that the judgment will impact the prosperous and strategic heartland of Moabite territory, signifying a comprehensive rather than superficial destruction. This area often represents Moab's strength and wealth.
• upon Holon (עַל חֹלֹן – al Kholon): One of several towns explicitly named. Holon's exact location within Moab is debated among scholars but generally placed in the central or northern parts of the plateau. Its inclusion adds a layer of geographical specificity to the prophecy, demonstrating God's meticulous awareness of Moabite settlements and the pervasive reach of His judgment.
• and upon Jahzah (וְעַל יָהְצָה – və'al Yahatzah): Also known as Jahaz, this city held strategic importance and a notable history, being the site where Moses defeated King Sihon (Num 21:23) and later assigned to Reuben as a Levitical city (Josh 21:36). Its mention here might evoke these historical associations, underscoring both its geographical target and potential deeper historical significance related to Israelite claims or previous conflicts with Moab.
• and upon Mephaath (וְעַל מֵיפָעַת – və'al Meyfa'at): Another city likely located on the Moabite plateau, Mephaath was also designated a Levitical city within Reuben's territory (Josh 21:37). Its naming further confirms the detailed and comprehensive sweep of God's judgment across all contested territories and principal cities, leaving no significant area untouched.

Words-group analysis:

• "Judgment has come upon the plain country": This declarative statement immediately establishes the severity and scope of the divine action. "The plain country" (Mishor) signifies that the judgment is targeting a substantial, often fertile, and central region of Moab, not just outlying areas, implying a deep and fundamental collapse.
• "upon Holon, and upon Jahzah, and upon Mephaath": The enumeration of specific cities is a powerful rhetorical device. It demonstrates the precision of the prophecy and that God’s judgment is not vague but targeted. These specific locations, many of which had historical connections to Israel, personalize the destruction for the audience, reinforcing the certainty and comprehensive nature of Moab's downfall from its regional strongholds to its very core. This specific listing communicates that no place of presumed safety will escape.

Jeremiah 48 21 Bonus section

The precise geographic detail, particularly the listing of towns like Jahzah and Mephaath which once formed part of the Israelite inheritance within the tribe of Reuben (Joshua 13:18, 21:36-37), adds a layer of significance. This may subtly hint at the concept of a divine reclamation of territory or a judgment for Moab's continued encroachment and historical enmity towards Israel. Such detail affirms God's perfect memory of history and geography. The use of enumeration throughout the list of cities (vv. 21-24) serves to emphasize the utter thoroughness of the devastation and makes the prophecy more vivid and tangible to its original hearers. It creates a picture of total collapse, leaving no part of the once-proud Moabite kingdom untouched by the decreed divine judgment.

Jeremiah 48 21 Commentary

Jeremiah 48:21 commences the meticulous enumeration of Moabite towns marked for divine destruction, asserting that "judgment has come" upon the significant "plain country" and key cities like Holon, Jahzah, and Mephaath. This is not a generalized threat but a firm declaration of a decided and unfolding reality. The detail in naming specific places emphasizes God's sovereign knowledge over all nations and the precise, inescapable nature of His justice. Moab's pervasive pride, its trust in false gods like Chemosh, and its continuous opposition to God's people made its destruction a foregone conclusion. This verse underscores that divine judgment impacts both broad regions and specific settlements, utterly dismantling national identity and false securities. It serves as a stark reminder of God's authority over world events and the inevitable consequences for unrepentant sin and idolatry.