Jeremiah 48:38 kjv
There shall be lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof: for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein is no pleasure, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 48:38 nkjv
A general lamentation On all the housetops of Moab, And in its streets; For I have broken Moab like a vessel in which is no pleasure," says the LORD.
Jeremiah 48:38 niv
On all the roofs in Moab and in the public squares there is nothing but mourning, for I have broken Moab like a jar that no one wants," declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 48:38 esv
On all the housetops of Moab and in the squares there is nothing but lamentation, for I have broken Moab like a vessel for which no one cares, declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 48:38 nlt
There is crying and sorrow in every Moabite home and on every street. For I have smashed Moab like an old, unwanted jar.
Jeremiah 48 38 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 48:45 | "In the shadow of Heshbon the fugitives stand without strength." | Moab's imminent destruction |
| Jeremiah 48:7 | "Because you have trusted in your works and your treasures, you also shall be taken." | Judgment based on pride |
| Isaiah 15:2 | "To Aroer they go wailing..." | Shared lamentation |
| Isaiah 15:4 | "For the glory of Moab has faded..." | Loss of glory |
| Ezekiel 25:12 | "Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah by taking vengeance...' " | Retribution for actions |
| Amos 2:1-2 | "Thus says the LORD: ‘For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because he burned the bones of the king of Edom to lime." | Specific sin against Edom |
| Zephaniah 2:8 | "‘I have heard the reproach of Moab and the | Moab's reproach towards Israel |
| Jeremiah 49:7 | "‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Is there no wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom vanished?"' " | Loss of wisdom in judgment |
| Jeremiah 48:42 | "Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he has exalted himself against the LORD." | Reason for destruction |
| Jeremiah 50:16 | "Cut off the sower from Moab, and the reaper with his sickle in the time of harvest. From all the fugitives of Moab they will flee to their own lands." | Disruption of agriculture |
| Hosea 5:12 | "I will be like a moth to Ephraim, and like dry rot to the house of Judah." | Divine decay |
| Psalm 2:4 | "He who sits in the heavens will laugh; the Lord will mock them." | God's assured victory |
| Jeremiah 48:20 | "Moab is disgraced, for it is put to shame; wail and cry out! Tell in Arnon that Moab is destroyed!" | Public declaration of shame |
| Jeremiah 48:24 | "And judgment has come upon the lowland, upon Holon, upon Jahzah, upon Mephaath," | Judgment reaching cities |
| Jeremiah 48:30 | "I know his arrogance, declares the LORD; his boasting is not true; his boasts are empty." | Moab's boasting identified |
| Jeremiah 48:38 | "‘For every roof will be shattered and every city abandoned; Moab shall be a desolation under me,’ declares the LORD." | Total devastation |
| Jeremiah 48:14 | "How can you say, ‘We are warriors and men of strength for the war’?" | Moab's false confidence |
| Jeremiah 48:26 | "Make him drunk, because he magnified himself against the LORD; Moab shall wallow in his vomit, and he too shall become a laughingstock." | Drunkenness and shame |
| Jeremiah 1:16 | "And I will declare my judgments against them for all their evil, because they forsook me..." | Divine judgments declared |
| Nahum 2:10 | "Desolate, ruined, and destroyed! Hearts melting, knees knocking, together in all loins, and faces pale with anguish!" | Vivid imagery of fear |
Jeremiah 48 verses
Jeremiah 48 38 Meaning
This verse pronounces a severe judgment upon Moab. The heart of man is portrayed as agitated and grieving over Moab's destruction. God's decree has come to pass, leading to the dismantling and ruin of Moab's glory and prosperity.
Jeremiah 48 38 Context
Jeremiah 48 is a prophecy of judgment against the nation of Moab. Moab was a neighboring people to Israel, often antagonistic. This chapter details the reasons for God's condemnation: Moab's pride, its defiance of God, and its mistreatment of other nations, particularly after the fall of Jerusalem. The prophecy describes the devastating consequences of this judgment, including the destruction of its cities, the loss of its wealth, and the dispersal of its people. The entire chapter emphasizes that Moab's impending doom is a direct result of its own actions and its arrogance against the Lord. The specific verse (48:38) summarizes the extent of the ruin.
Jeremiah 48 38 Word Analysis
- ki (כִּי) - "for" or "because." Introduces the reason for the pronouncements.
- eth (אֵת) - Masculine singular accusative marker. Marks the direct object.
- kål (כֹּל) - "all," "every." Emphasizes the totality of the destruction.
- gag (גַּג) - "roof." Represents the dwelling place, the private space of homes.
- gägōt (גַּגּוֹת) - "roofs." The plural form, signifying many homes.
- yigārrū (יִגָּר) - "will be broken" or "will fall." A passive future tense verb.
- wĕʿîr (וְעִיר) - "and city." Connects the destruction of homes to the abandonment of urban centers.
- ‘āzūb (עָזוּב) - "forsaken," "abandoned," "left." Describes the state of the cities.
- wĕhāyĕtäh (וְהָיְתָה) - "and it shall be" or "and she shall become." A future tense verb, indicating the outcome.
- mō’āb (מוֹאָב) - "Moab." The nation under judgment.
- šĕmāmōh (שְׁמָמָה) - "desolation," "wasteland." The resulting state of Moab.
- nĕ’um (נְאֻם) - "oracle," "declaration," "saying." Attributes the statement to God.
- yhwh (יְהוָה) - "LORD." The personal name of God, emphasizing divine authority.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "ki kol gag gagot yigaru": "for all roofs will be broken." This vividly illustrates the complete destruction of private dwellings, implying that not a single home will escape the judgment. The "breaking" suggests a violent overthrow and demolition.
- "wĕ‘îr ‘āzūb": "and city abandoned." This points to the depopulation of urban centers, indicating that the inhabitants have fled or been removed due to the catastrophe. The cities become empty remnants.
- "mō’āb shĕmāmōh": "Moab desolation." This phrase captures the ultimate outcome for the nation—total ruin and emptiness, a wasteland where life ceases.
- "nĕ’um yhwh": "declares the LORD." This concluding phrase firmly anchors the pronouncement as a direct word from God, leaving no room for doubt or appeal.
Jeremiah 48 38 Bonus Section
The imagery of shattered roofs and abandoned cities is a powerful representation of the collapse of normal life and security. In ancient Near Eastern warfare and conquest, the destruction of homes and cities was a common tactic to demoralize an enemy and assert dominance. Moab's punishment is so severe that its very name becomes associated with desolation. The emotional "heart of man" groaning signifies a broader recognition of this catastrophic event, perhaps even among neighboring nations who witness the fate of Moab and are reminded of the consequences of opposing God's will. This widespread grief or shock implies that Moab was once a significant entity whose collapse would not go unnoticed.
Jeremiah 48 38 Commentary
This verse starkly portrays the thoroughness of God's judgment on Moab. The shattering of every roof and the abandonment of every city signify a complete demolition and depopulation. It's not just a partial destruction but an annihilation of Moab's infrastructure and social order. The declaration "Moab shall be a desolation" underscores the utter ruin that awaits them. The reason is their arrogance against the LORD. This prophecy serves as a solemn reminder of the consequences of national pride and defiance against divine authority.
Practical usage:
- Recognize that God holds nations accountable for their actions and attitudes toward Him and others.
- Understand that pride and arrogance often precede a fall.
- Observe that divine judgment, when it comes, can be comprehensive and devastating.
- Appreciate that God's declarations are certain and will be fulfilled.