The big picture
Jeremiah 48 opens in verse 1 with “Against Moab thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Woe unto Nebo! for it is…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 24 with “And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or…”, and closes in verse 47 with “Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD . Thus…” Repeated or prominent terms include Moab, LORD, taken, broken, heart. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Jeremiah · King James Version · 47Jeremiah 48:1-8
1–8: Against Moab thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Woe unto…
Jeremiah 48:1–8 opens with “Against Moab thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Woe unto Nebo! for it is spoiled…” and reaches “And the spoiler shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape: the valley also shall…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jeremiah 48 develops its own movement around Moab, LORD, taken, broken, heart, with particular weight carried by Moab, city, confounded.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Against Moab thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Woe unto Nebo! for it is spoiled: Kiriathaim is…” Naming Against keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“A voice of crying shall be from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“For in the going up of Luhith continual weeping shall go up; for in the going down of Horonaim the enemies have heard…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Jeremiah 48:1-8
King James Version1Against Moab thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Woe unto Nebo! for it is spoiled: Kiriathaim is confounded and taken: Misgab is confounded and dismayed.
2There shall be no more praise of Moab: in Heshbon they have devised evil against it; come, and let us cut it off from being a nation. Also thou shalt be cut down, O Madmen; the sword shall pursue thee.
3A voice of crying shall be from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction.
4Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.
5For in the going up of Luhith continual weeping shall go up; for in the going down of Horonaim the enemies have heard a cry of destruction.
6Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.
7For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together.
8And the spoiler shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape: the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed, as the LORD hath spoken.
Jeremiah 48:9-16
9–16: Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities…
Jeremiah 48:9–16 opens with “Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate…” and reaches “The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jeremiah 48 develops its own movement around Moab, LORD, taken, broken, heart, with particular weight carried by Moab, gone, LORD.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to…” Naming Moab keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Jeremiah 48:9-16
King James Version9Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell therein.
10Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.
11Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.
12Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD , that I will send unto him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander, and shall empty his vessels, and break their bottles.
13And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Beth-el their confidence.
14How say ye, We are mighty and strong men for the war?
15Moab is spoiled, and gone up out of her cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.
16The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast.
Jeremiah 48:17-24
17–24: All ye that are about him, bemoan him; and all ye that know his name…
Jeremiah 48:17–24 opens with “All ye that are about him, bemoan him; and all ye that know his name, say, How is the strong…” and reaches “And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jeremiah 48 develops its own movement around Moab, LORD, taken, broken, heart, with particular weight carried by Moab, Beth, broken.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“All ye that are about him, bemoan him; and all ye that know his name, say, How is the strong staff broken, and the…” Naming All keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Jeremiah 48:17-24
King James Version17All ye that are about him, bemoan him; and all ye that know his name, say, How is the strong staff broken, and the beautiful rod!
18Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds.
19O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and espy; ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, and say, What is done?
20Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,
21And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,
22And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Beth-diblathaim,
23And upon Kiriathaim, and upon Beth-gamul, and upon Beth-meon,
24And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near.
Jeremiah 48:25-32
25–32: The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD .
Jeremiah 48:25–32 opens with “The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD .” and reaches “O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer: thy plants are gone over the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jeremiah 48 develops its own movement around Moab, LORD, taken, broken, heart, with particular weight carried by Moab, LORD, derision.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD .” Naming Moab keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
Jeremiah 48:25-32
King James Version25The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD .
26Make ye him drunken: for he magnified himself against the LORD : Moab also shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision.
27For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy.
28O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock, and be like the dove that maketh her nest in the sides of the hole’s mouth.
29We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart.
30I know his wrath, saith the LORD ; but it shall not be so; his lies shall not so effect it.
31Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kir-heres.
32O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer: thy plants are gone over the sea, they reach even to the sea of Jazer: the spoiler is fallen upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage.
Jeremiah 48:33-40
33–40: Joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of…
Jeremiah 48:33–40 opens with “And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have…” and reaches “For thus saith the LORD ; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jeremiah 48 develops its own movement around Moab, LORD, taken, broken, heart, with particular weight carried by Moab, LORD, shouting.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the LORD , him that offereth in the high places, and him that burneth…” Naming Moab and Moreover keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Jeremiah 48:33-40
King James Version33And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting.
34From the cry of Heshbon even unto Elealeh, and even unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice, from Zoar even unto Horonaim, as an heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate.
35Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the LORD , him that offereth in the high places, and him that burneth incense to his gods.
36Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kir-heres: because the riches that he hath gotten are perished.
37For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.
38There 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 .
39They shall howl, saying, How is it broken down! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him.
40For thus saith the LORD ; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab.
Jeremiah 48:41-47
41–47: Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty…
Jeremiah 48:41–47 opens with “Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men’s hearts in Moab at…” and reaches “Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD . Thus far is…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jeremiah 48 develops its own movement around Moab, LORD, taken, broken, heart, with particular weight carried by Moab, LORD, taken.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men’s hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the LORD .” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“Fear, and the pit, and the snare, shall be upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the LORD .” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Jeremiah 48:41-47
King James Version41Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men’s hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
42And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the LORD .
43Fear, and the pit, and the snare, shall be upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the LORD .
44He 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 .
45They that fled stood under the shadow of Heshbon because of the force: but a fire shall come forth out of Heshbon, and a flame from the midst of Sihon, and shall devour the corner of Moab, and the crown of the head of the tumultuous ones.
46Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives.
47Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD . Thus far is the judgment of Moab.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Jeremiah 48:1 begins with “Against Moab thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Woe unto Nebo! for it is spoiled: Kiriathaim is confounded and taken: Misgab is confounded…”
Where the chapter turns
Jeremiah 48:27 forms a natural hinge: “For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy.”
The final note
Jeremiah 48:47 leaves the reader with “Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD . Thus far is the judgment of Moab.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Moab, LORD, taken, broken, heart, Beth help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What experiences shape Jacob's blessing?
God's lifelong shepherding, deliverance, the promise of land and the enduring memory of Rachel.
What earlier pattern do the crossed hands recall?
The promise repeatedly moves outside expected birth-order privilege, as with Isaac and Jacob.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.