Jeremiah 48:31

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; [mine heart] shall mourn for the men of Kirheres.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Therefore I wail for Mo'av; for all Mo'av I cry; for the people of Kir-Heres I lament.

Berean Standard Bible:

Therefore I will wail for Moab; I will cry out for all of Moab; I will moan for the men of Kir-heres.

American Standard Version:

Therefore will I wail for Moab; yea, I will cry out for all Moab: for the men of Kir-heres shall they mourn.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Therefore will I howl^{H3213} for Moab^{H4124}, and I will cry out^{H2199} for all Moab^{H4124}; mine heart shall mourn^{H1897} for the men^{H582} of Kirheres^{H7025}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Jeremiah 48:31

Jeremiah 48:31 is part of the prophetic book of Jeremiah, which contains oracles and messages concerning the judgment of various nations. This particular verse is situated within a larger section (Jeremiah 48:1-47) that specifically addresses the nation of Moab, a kingdom located east of the Jordan River and south of the Arnon River, which had a history of hostility and rivalry with Israel.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah expresses deep grief over the impending doom of Moab. The phrase "Therefore will I howl for Moab" reflects a poignant, almost primal expression of sorrow, with "howl" indicating a loud, mournful cry. Jeremiah's heartfelt lament, "I will cry out for all Moab," and his mourning for the "men of Kirheres" (or Kir-hareseth, a significant Moabite city), demonstrate a profound empathy for the people, despite their strained relationship with Israel.

The historical context of this verse is set against the backdrop of the Neo-Babylonian Empire's rise and the subsequent decline of the kingdoms in the region, including Judah and Moab. The Babylonians, under King Nebuchadnezzar, were a dominant force in the ancient Near East during the 7th and 6th centuries BCE, and they imposed their rule over many nations, including Moab.

The themes present in Jeremiah 48:31 include divine judgment, the consequences of national pride and complacency, and the inevitability of God's justice. Jeremiah's prophecy reflects the understanding that Moab's arrogance and reliance on false gods would lead to their downfall. At the same time, the verse also highlights the compassion of the prophet, who, despite delivering a message of judgment, identifies with the pain and suffering of the Moabites, showing that God's heart through Jeremiah encompasses all nations, not just Israel. This reflects a broader biblical theme of God's concern for all of humanity, even those outside the covenant community.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3213
   There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָלַל
   Transliteration: yâlal
   Pronunciation: yaw-lal'
   Description: a primitive root; to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one); (make to) howl, be howling.
   
2. Strong's Number: H4124
   There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מוֹאָב
   Transliteration: Môwʼâb
   Pronunciation: mo-awb
   Description: from a prolonged form of the prepositional prefix m-and אָב; from (her (the mother's)) father; Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants; Moab.
   
3. Strong's Number: H2199
   There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זָעַק
   Transliteration: zâʻaq
   Pronunciation: zaw-ak'
   Description: a primitive root; to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly; assemble, call (together), (make a) cry (out), come with such a company, gather (together), cause to be proclaimed.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1897
   There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָגָה
   Transliteration: hâgâh
   Pronunciation: daw-gaw'
   Description: a primitive root (compare הָגִיג); to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder; imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar, [idiom] sore, speak, study, talk, utter.
   
5. Strong's Number: H582
   There are 648 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: ʼĕnôwsh
   Pronunciation: en-oshe'
   Description: from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or collectively); another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare אִישׁ.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7025
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קִיר חֶרֶשׂ
   Transliteration: Qîyr Cheres
   Pronunciation: keer kheh'-res
   Description: or (feminine of the latter word) קִיר חֲרֶשֶׂת; from קִיר and חֶרֶשׂ; fortress of earthenware; Kir-Cheres or Kir-Chareseth, a place in Moab; Kir-haraseth, Kir-hareseth, Kirharesh, Kir-heres.