


Jeremiah 48:16
Bible Versions
The calamity of Moab [is] near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast.
Mo'av's ruin is coming soon, its disaster speeds on swiftly.
Moab’s calamity is at hand, and his affliction is rushing swiftly.
The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast.
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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.
Jeremiah 48:16 delivers a stark prophetic warning concerning the nation of Moab, emphasizing the imminent and rapid approach of its downfall. The verse declares, "The calamity of Moab [is] near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast." This brief but potent statement highlights the certainty and swiftness of divine judgment.
Context
Chapter 48 of Jeremiah is entirely dedicated to a detailed prophecy against Moab, a nation located east of the Dead Sea, historically known for its contentious relationship with Israel. The Moabites were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew (Genesis 19:37), but they often opposed God's people, engaging in idolatry—particularly the worship of their god Chemosh—and exhibiting significant pride. Jeremiah's prophecy foretells their utter devastation, likely at the hands of the Babylonian empire, which God used as an instrument of judgment against many nations in the region. This specific verse acts as a summary declaration of the immediate nature of the impending doom detailed throughout the chapter.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew terms used convey a strong sense of urgency and devastation:
Practical Application
While specifically directed at ancient Moab, Jeremiah 48:16 carries enduring lessons for all generations: