Jeremiah 48:16

KJV

The calamity of Moab [is] near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast.

KJV (with Strong's)

The calamity {H343} of Moab {H4124} is near {H7138} to come {H935}, and his affliction {H7451} hasteth {H4116} fast {H3966}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Mo'av's ruin is coming soon, its disaster speeds on swiftly.

Berean Standard Bible

Moab’s calamity is at hand, and his affliction is rushing swiftly.

American Standard Version

The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 48:16 delivers a stark and urgent prophetic declaration concerning the nation of Moab, emphasizing the absolute certainty and swift approach of its divine judgment. The verse succinctly conveys that Moab's impending ruin, characterized by overwhelming disaster and severe suffering, is not a distant threat but an immediate and rapidly advancing reality, highlighting God's sovereign control over nations and His unwavering justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 48 stands as a comprehensive oracle against Moab, one of several such prophecies against foreign nations found in chapters 46-51 of the book. This particular chapter details the utter devastation and humiliation awaiting Moab, from its cities to its people, its pride, and its false gods. Jeremiah 48:16 serves as a pivotal summary statement, encapsulating the pervasive theme of imminent doom that permeates the entire chapter. It precedes detailed descriptions of Moab's destruction (e.g., [Jeremiah 48:1-5](/jeremiah/48-1 "Jeremiah 48:1-5 - Lament over Moab's Cities")) and sets the tone for the subsequent lament and judgment pronouncements. The verse's brevity and directness amplify the sense of urgency and inevitability that God's word carries.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moab was a nation located east of the Dead Sea, bordering Israel. Descendants of Lot ([Genesis 19:37](/genesis/19-37 "Genesis 19:37 - The Origin of Moab")), the Moabites had a long and often hostile relationship with Israel, marked by conflict, idolatry (particularly the worship of Chemosh, their national god), and pride in their perceived strength and wealth. They were known for their agricultural prosperity and strategic location. Historically, Moab had oppressed Israel at various times (e.g., [Judges 3:12-30](/judges/3-12 "Judges 3:12-30 - Eglon, King of Moab, Oppresses Israel")). Jeremiah's prophecy, delivered during the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, anticipates the rise of the Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar, which God used as an instrument of judgment against many nations, including Moab, for their rebellion against Him and their arrogance.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 48:16 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Jeremiah and prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment**, demonstrating God's sovereign authority over all nations, not just Israel, and His righteous indignation against sin, especially pride and idolatry ([Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God Rules the Kingdoms of Men")). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Certainty and Swiftness of Prophetic Fulfillment**, emphasizing that God's warnings are not idle threats but guaranteed realities that will unfold precisely as declared, often with alarming speed ([Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Will Not Return Empty")). Finally, it speaks to the **Consequences of National Pride and Idolatry**, as Moab's downfall is directly linked to its defiance of God and its trust in its own strength and false deities, a recurring motif in the book of Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 48:7](/jeremiah/48-7 "Jeremiah 48:7 - Moab's Trust in Chemosh")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Calamity (Hebrew, _ʼêyd'_):** This term, derived from a root suggesting "bending down" or "oppression," signifies a sudden, overwhelming disaster, misfortune, or ruin. In a prophetic context, it often implies a divinely appointed visitation of judgment, a crushing blow from which there is no recovery. It speaks to a comprehensive and devastating collapse, not merely a setback.
* **Near (Hebrew, _qârôwb'_):** This word denotes proximity, whether in place, kindred, or, as here, in time. Its use emphasizes the immediacy of the impending disaster. The "calamity" is not a distant threat but is "at hand," indicating that the period of grace or delay has expired, and the judgment is on the verge of manifestation.
* **Hasteth (Hebrew, _mâhar'_):** A primitive root meaning "to be liquid or flow easily," this word metaphorically conveys the idea of hurrying or acting promptly. When combined with "fast" (mᵉʼôd), it intensifies the sense of speed and urgency. The "affliction" is not merely approaching but is actively and rapidly moving towards its target, suggesting an unstoppable momentum.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The calamity of Moab [is] near to come,"**: This clause establishes the subject of the prophecy—Moab—and the nature of its impending fate: "calamity." The use of "calamity" (ʼêyd) points to a comprehensive and devastating ruin, a divine judgment rather than a mere misfortune. The phrase "near to come" underscores the immediacy and certainty of this disaster, signaling that the period of grace has ended and the judgment is on the threshold of manifestation. It implies an inescapable and rapidly approaching doom.
* **"and his affliction hasteth fast."**: This second clause functions as a parallel intensification of the first. "Affliction" (raʻ) here refers to the evil or distress that will befall Moab, signifying severe suffering and hardship. The verb "hasteth" (mâhar), combined with the intensive adverb "fast" (mᵉʼôd), vividly portrays the speed and urgency with which this suffering will arrive. It paints a picture of an unstoppable, rapidly accelerating process of destruction, leaving Moab no time to prepare or escape.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 48:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of impending doom. **Parallelism** is evident in the two clauses, where "calamity...near to come" and "affliction hasteth fast" express similar ideas of inevitable and swift judgment, reinforcing the message through repetition and variation. The personification of "calamity" and "affliction" as active agents that "come" and "hasten" lends a sense of unstoppable force and agency to the divine judgment. Furthermore, the use of strong, evocative terms like "calamity" and "affliction" alongside adverbs of speed and proximity ("near," "fast") creates a powerful sense of **Urgency** and **Emphasis**, ensuring the reader grasps the immediate and devastating nature of Moab's fate.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 48:16 serves as a powerful testament to God's universal sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to justice. It demonstrates that no nation, regardless of its perceived strength or historical lineage, is exempt from divine accountability for its pride, idolatry, and hostility towards God's purposes. The swift and certain judgment upon Moab underscores the principle that God is actively involved in the affairs of humanity, orchestrating history to fulfill His righteous decrees. This verse reminds us that God's patience has limits, and His warnings are not to be trifled with, for when judgment is "near to come" and "hasteth fast," it signifies a decisive and irreversible divine action.

* [Isaiah 13:6](/isaiah/13-6 "Isaiah 13:6 - The Day of the Lord is Near")
* [Proverbs 29:1](/proverbs/29-1 "Proverbs 29:1 - Hardened Neck, Sudden Destruction")
* [Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God Rules the Kingdoms of Men")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While specifically directed at ancient Moab, Jeremiah 48:16 carries profound and enduring lessons for all generations, serving as a timeless reminder of God's character and the principles of His kingdom. It compels us to recognize that God is just and righteous, holding all individuals and nations accountable for their actions, particularly for pride, idolatry, and oppression. The swiftness of Moab's judgment serves as a powerful warning to heed divine warnings and to turn from paths of sin and rebellion before it is too late. It challenges us to examine our own lives and societies for any forms of arrogance, self-sufficiency, or misplaced worship that might invite divine correction. Ultimately, this verse inspires a deeper reverence for God's unchanging word, knowing that His promises of blessing and warnings of judgment are equally certain to come to pass, urging us to live in humble submission and faithful obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might our modern society, or even our personal lives, exhibit forms of pride or idolatry similar to ancient Moab?**
* **How does the concept of "imminent judgment" in this verse shape our understanding of God's patience and His ultimate justice?**
* **What practical steps can we take to ensure we are "heeding warnings" from God's Word rather than delaying repentance?**

### FAQ

**Who were the Moabites and why was God judging them so severely?**

Answer: The Moabites were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew, through an incestuous union ([Genesis 19:37](/genesis/19-37 "Genesis 19:37 - The Origin of Moab")). They settled east of the Dead Sea and frequently engaged in conflict with Israel throughout their history. God's severe judgment on Moab, detailed extensively in Jeremiah 48, was primarily due to their profound pride and arrogance ([Jeremiah 48:29](/jeremiah/48-29 "Jeremiah 48:29 - Moab's Pride")), their idolatry (worship of Chemosh, their national god, as seen in [Jeremiah 48:7](/jeremiah/48-7 "Jeremiah 48:7 - Moab's Trust in Chemosh")), and their consistent hostility and contempt towards God's people, Israel ([Zephaniah 2:8-10](/zephaniah/2-8 "Zephaniah 2:8-10 - Judgment on Moab and Ammon")). This judgment underscores God's sovereign authority over all nations and His righteous indignation against sin.

**Is this prophecy against Moab literally fulfilled, and what does that mean for us today?**

Answer: Yes, the prophecy against Moab in Jeremiah 48 was literally fulfilled. Historical and archaeological evidence indicates that Moab, like many other nations in the region, fell under the dominion of the Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar in the early 6th century BCE, leading to its devastation and eventual disappearance as a distinct national entity. The fulfillment of such specific and detailed prophecies, like that against Moab, serves as powerful evidence of the Bible's divine inspiration and the absolute reliability of God's word. For us today, it reinforces the truth that God is faithful to His word—both His warnings and His promises. It teaches us that God actively intervenes in human history, holding nations and individuals accountable, and that His justice is certain, even if its timing is not always immediately apparent to us.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 48:16 speaks of the impending judgment on Moab, its deeper theological resonance points to the ultimate judgment on sin and the redemptive work of Christ. The "calamity" and "affliction" that "hasteth fast" upon Moab foreshadow the universal judgment that awaits all humanity apart from Christ. Just as Moab's destruction was inescapable, so too is the spiritual death and eternal separation from God for those who reject His Son ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death")). However, Christ stands as the ultimate fulfillment of God's justice and mercy. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bearing the full "calamity" and "affliction" of divine wrath on the cross, thereby offering an escape from the judgment that "hasteth fast" for all who believe ([Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - Christ Bears Our Sickness and Sin")). His first coming inaugurated a period of grace, delaying the final "day of the Lord" ([2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord's Patience")), but His second coming will bring the ultimate and swift culmination of all things, where every knee will bow and every tongue confess Him as Lord ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Will Bow")). Thus, the prophecy against Moab serves as a vivid reminder of the seriousness of sin and the profound grace found in Jesus, who delivers us from the coming wrath ([1 Thessalonians 1:10](/1_thessalonians/1-10 "1 Thessalonians 1:10 - Jesus Delivers Us from the Coming Wrath")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 13:22

And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in [their] pleasant palaces: and her time [is] near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.

2 Peter 2:3

¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Ezekiel 12:28

Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord GOD.

Jeremiah 1:12

Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.

Deuteronomy 32:35

To me [belongeth] vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in [due] time: for the day of their calamity [is] at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

Isaiah 16:13

This [is] the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning Moab since that time.

Isaiah 16:14

But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant [shall be] very small [and] feeble.