Jeremiah 48 44

Jeremiah 48:44 kjv

He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon it, even upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 48:44 nkjv

"He who flees from the fear shall fall into the pit, And he who gets out of the pit shall be caught in the snare. For upon Moab, upon it I will bring The year of their punishment," says the LORD.

Jeremiah 48:44 niv

"Whoever flees from the terror will fall into a pit, whoever climbs out of the pit will be caught in a snare; for I will bring on Moab the year of her punishment," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 48:44 esv

He who flees from the terror shall fall into the pit, and he who climbs out of the pit shall be caught in the snare. For I will bring these things upon Moab, the year of their punishment, declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 48:44 nlt

"Those who flee in terror will fall into a trap,
and those who escape the trap will step into a snare.
I will see to it that you do not get away,
for the time of your judgment has come,"
says the LORD.

Jeremiah 48 verses

Jeremiah 48 44 meaning

Jeremiah 48:44 declares that terror, the pit, and the snare will confront the inhabitants of Moab. This prophecy signifies a comprehensive and inescapable divine judgment descending upon the nation of Moab. No matter where they turn or how they try to escape, different forms of destruction—panic-inducing fear, unseen traps on the ground, and hidden nets—will seize them, demonstrating the absolute certainty and multi-faceted nature of the LORD's wrath against their pride and rebellion.

Jeremiah 48 44 Context

Jeremiah chapter 48 details the prophetic judgment against Moab. This entire chapter serves as an oracle of divine wrath, delivered by Jeremiah against one of Judah's long-standing historical and cultural rivals, situated east of the Dead Sea. The prophecy lists numerous cities and territories of Moab that will face destruction, humiliation, and desolation. Moab's primary sins highlighted are its immense pride (v. 29), its idolatry towards its god Chemosh (v. 7, 13), and its contempt and mockery of the LORD's people, Israel (v. 26, 27). The preceding verses in chapter 48 already outline Moab's utter downfall, describing cities being captured, valleys perishing, and people being led into captivity. Verse 44 intensifies this message, underscoring that not only will they be overrun, but their every attempt to escape or find refuge will be met with another form of unavoidable disaster, leaving no avenue for survival. This serves to demonstrate the LORD's ultimate sovereignty not just over Judah, but over all nations, and the inescapable consequences of defying Him.

Jeremiah 48 44 Word analysis

• Terror (פחד - pachad): This Hebrew term signifies fear, dread, trembling, or panic. In biblical judgment contexts, it describes the profound internal horror that seizes individuals or nations facing overwhelming and inescapable calamity. It is a psychological aspect of divine judgment, disrupting any sense of security or courage, rendering people vulnerable and chaotic in their flight.
• Pit (פחת - pachath): Refers to a dug-out hole, a trench, or a concealed pit, often used by hunters to trap wild animals. Metaphorically, it represents a hidden, physical trap leading to destruction, capture, or death. It suggests an unforeseen and inescapable collapse into a deep abyss from which extrication is impossible. Its mention here signifies that even those trying to escape will literally fall into unexpected pitfalls.
• Snare (פח - pach): This term denotes a net or a trap, especially one laid for birds. It suggests a sudden, often unseen, device designed to catch and entangle, leading to immediate capture or ruin. Unlike a pit which one might fall into, a snare actively entangles and binds. Its inclusion signifies that even subtle, unseen dangers will ensnare Moab, preventing any hope of evasion.
• Confront you / Be upon you (בָא עָלֶיךָ - ba aleikha): Literally "come upon you." This phrase emphasizes the direct and active imposition of these judgments. It’s not just that terror, pits, and snares exist; they are actively coming towards and landing on the inhabitants of Moab, signifying an active, invasive, and undeniable force.
• O inhabitant of Moab (יֹשֵׁב מוֹאָב - yoshev Moab): This is a direct address to the people of Moab, specifically emphasizing their current state of residence or settledness, implying that even in their homes and accustomed ways of life, this inescapable judgment will reach them. It underlines the national scope of the judgment.
• Declares the LORD (נְאֻם יְהוָה - ne'um YHWH): This phrase serves as a divine signatory, lending the utmost authority and certainty to the prophecy. It is God Himself speaking, guaranteeing the fulfillment of these pronouncements, assuring that the judgment against Moab is not mere human conjecture but a divine decree.
• Terror and the pit and the snare: This specific grouping of three alliterative words in Hebrew (pachad vāpachath vāpach) creates a powerful rhetorical effect. This literary device emphasizes the utter comprehensiveness and inescapable nature of the impending doom. It implies that whether one flees in panic (terror), or runs and falls (pit), or tries to hide but gets caught (snare), there is no escape. This trio also appears famously in Isaiah 24:17-18, where it describes universal judgment, here specifically applied to Moab. The sequence highlights different modes of peril—psychological dread, a ground trap, and an aerial/hidden trap—covering all avenues of potential flight or refuge.

Jeremiah 48 44 Bonus section

The strong literary echo of Isaiah 24:17-18 ("Terror and the pit and the snare are upon you, O inhabitant of the earth!") demonstrates that this prophetic idiom was a recognized motif in Israelite prophetic tradition to describe unavoidable, totalizing judgment. While Isaiah applies it to a universal catastrophe, Jeremiah specifically applies it to Moab, illustrating that a pattern of divine justice operates across different scales, from the global to a specific nation. The vivid imagery, drawn from ancient hunting practices, would have resonated powerfully with the original audience, who understood the ruthlessness of such traps. It communicates that God's judgment against Moab is as deliberate and effective as a skilled hunter pursuing its prey, ensuring absolute capture and no possibility of evasion. This specific articulation underscores that relying on one's own strength, strategic location (like Moab's boasted high places), or wealth will provide no security against the sovereign will of the LORD.

Jeremiah 48 44 Commentary

Jeremiah 48:44 encapsulates the comprehensive and unavoidable nature of God's judgment upon Moab. The prophetic words depict a nation with no avenue of escape: terror will cause them to flee in disarray, only for them to fall into literal and metaphorical pits, and then those who persist will find themselves entangled in snares. This triple threat of pachad (fear), pachath (pit), and pach (snare) is a profound rhetorical device, underscoring not merely the intensity but the multi-faceted and inescapable reality of their downfall. The judgment is not random; it stems from Moab's pride, their idolatry towards Chemosh, and their insolent mockery of God's people. This verse forcefully declares the LORD's sovereignty over all nations, illustrating that His justice is meticulous and certain, ultimately ensuring that none who defiantly oppose Him or exalt themselves will escape His just recompense. The "declares the LORD" stamp unequivocally seals the divine authority behind this grim promise, confirming its ultimate fulfillment.