Jeremiah 48 22

Jeremiah 48:22 kjv

And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Bethdiblathaim,

Jeremiah 48:22 nkjv

On Dibon and Nebo and Beth Diblathaim,

Jeremiah 48:22 niv

to Dibon, Nebo and Beth Diblathaim,

Jeremiah 48:22 esv

and Dibon, and Nebo, and Beth-diblathaim,

Jeremiah 48:22 nlt

on Dibon and Nebo and Beth-diblathaim,

Jeremiah 48 verses

Jeremiah 48 22 meaning

Jeremiah 48:22 enumerates three specific Moabite cities—Dibon, Nebo, and Beth-diblathaim—that are destined to experience the imminent divine judgment previously proclaimed against the entire nation of Moab. This verse functions as a continuation of the lament, detailing the widespread and precise nature of the desolation that will befall Moab's significant settlements.

Jeremiah 48 22 Context

Jeremiah Chapter 48 contains an extensive and vivid prophecy detailing the complete devastation of Moab. This prophecy is one in a series of oracles against surrounding nations (Jer 46-51), showcasing God's sovereignty over all peoples. The chapter paints a picture of Moab's fall, brought about by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian forces, as divine judgment for its immense pride (Jere 48:29), idolatry (particularly of Chemosh, Jere 48:7, 13, 35), and constant animosity towards Israel. The initial verses set the stage for widespread destruction across Moabite territory, highlighting their humiliation and defeat. Jeremiah 48:22 directly continues this catalog of cities that will face ruin. It moves from general lament to specific targets, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the judgment, ensuring no significant center of Moabite identity or power will escape God's decree.

Jeremiah 48 22 Word analysis

• and upon (וְעַל - wəʿal):
  • The conjunctive "and" links these cities to the previous verses, signifying a continuation and expansion of the judgment.
  • "Upon" ("al") indicates the direction and object of the judgment; it will fall directly on these locations, highlighting their direct exposure to desolation.
• Dibon (דִּיבוֹן - Dibon):
  • Meaning: Possibly "wasting" or "pine cone."
  • Significance: A prominent Moabite city, sometimes referred to as Dibon-gad (Num 32:34).
  • Historical Context: Known as modern Dhiban. It was one of the cities originally allocated to Gad but later re-occupied by Moab. This city is historically famous as the location where the Mesha Stele (Moabite Stone) was discovered, a primary extra-biblical source for Moabite history and religion, validating the prominence of Dibon.
  • Polemics: Its inclusion emphasizes the judgment extending to significant cultural and historical centers of Moabite national pride. The fall of such a renowned city would be a profound blow.
• Nebo (נְבוֹ - Nebo):
  • Meaning: Related to "prophet" or named after the Babylonian/Moabite god Nabu.
  • Significance: It refers here to a Moabite city, distinct from but perhaps associated with the famous Mount Nebo (Deut 32:49, 34:1) where Moses viewed the Promised Land.
  • Polemics: The city likely bore the name of Nabu, a major Mesopotamian deity of wisdom and writing, adopted by some West Semitic cultures. The judgment upon a city named after a prominent false god highlights the impotence of that deity to protect its adherents or territory from the LORD's judgment (Jere 48:13).
• Beth-diblathaim (בֵּית דִּבְלָתַיִם - Bēṯ Diḇlāṯayim):
  • Meaning: "House of two fig-cakes" or "house of Diblathaim."
  • Significance: A lesser-known Moabite city compared to Dibon and Nebo (only mentioned here and Num 32:30).
  • Cultural Insight: The name suggests an association with agricultural prosperity or a local delicacy. The judgment on a place whose name implies such richness underscores that even areas of assumed comfort and plenty will face devastation, overturning their natural blessings into barrenness.
  • Polemics: Its inclusion alongside more famous cities confirms the thoroughness of the judgment; no settlement, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, is exempt from divine reckoning.

• and upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Beth-diblathaim:
  • This phrase serves as a literary device of listing, accentuating the completeness and geographical scope of the coming destruction.
  • By naming specific cities, the prophecy gains immediacy and certainty, showing that the judgment is not merely abstract but will be realized in tangible locations cherished by Moab.
  • The specific names underline that the judgment targets the very foundations of Moabite life, from its most historically significant centers to its agriculturally vital areas and religious sites, signaling the dismantling of their entire society and identity.

Jeremiah 48 22 Bonus section

The listing of these three cities, moving from a prominent center (Dibon), to one with potential religious associations (Nebo), to a more obscure locale perhaps noted for agricultural output (Beth-diblathaim), creates a cumulative effect. It emphasizes the sweeping nature of the judgment, impacting all strata of Moabite life—historical, religious, and economic. The use of repetitive "and upon" ('al) rhythmically underlines the inexorable march of divine retribution, descending upon each place without exception. This detailed specificity in prophecy contrasts sharply with the Moabites' general reliance on their fortified cities and treasures, revealing how their perceived sources of security would become the very targets of their undoing. The meticulous identification of these places served to instill a sense of the absolute, inescapable reality of God's decree for the original audience.

Jeremiah 48 22 Commentary

Jeremiah 48:22 acts as a specific extension of God's broader judgment against Moab. By singling out Dibon, Nebo, and Beth-diblathaim, the verse confirms the comprehensiveness of the divine wrath. Dibon, a major historical and administrative hub, along with Nebo, possibly named after a pagan deity and holding cultural significance, and Beth-diblathaim, perhaps indicative of agricultural richness, represent different facets of Moabite society. Their inclusion underscores that no aspect of Moabite life—its past glories, its false religious hopes, or its present prosperity—will escape the foretold desolation. This passage serves as a powerful reminder of God's absolute sovereignty, His just judgment against national pride and idolatry, and the certainty that His spoken word will come to pass upon all nations. It demonstrates the futility of human institutions and false gods when they stand against the Almighty.