Jeremiah 48:18

Thou 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.

Thou daughter {H1323} that dost inhabit {H3427} Dibon {H1769}, come down {H3381} from thy glory {H3519}, and sit {H3427} in thirst {H6772}; for the spoiler {H7703} of Moab {H4124} shall come {H5927} upon thee, and he shall destroy {H7843} thy strong holds {H4013}.

Descend from your glory, and sit in thirst, daughter living in Divon; for Mo'av's destroyer advances on you; he has destroyed your strongholds.

Come down from your glory; sit on parched ground, O daughter dwelling in Dibon, for the destroyer of Moab has come against you; he has destroyed your fortresses.

O thou daughter that dwellest in Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the destroyer of Moab is come up against thee, he hath destroyed thy strongholds.

Context of Jeremiah 48:18

Jeremiah 48 contains a detailed and extensive prophecy against Moab, a nation historically related to Israel (descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew) but often in conflict with them. Moab was known for its pride, idolatry, and perceived invincibility due to its fortified cities and reliance on its wealth and gods. This specific verse addresses "Dibon," a prominent Moabite city located east of the Dead Sea, which had historical significance (mentioned in Numbers 21:30 and Isaiah 15:2) and was considered a stronghold. The prophecy foretells its complete humiliation and destruction, primarily at the hands of the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar, who served as God's instrument of judgment.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Humiliation: The verse vividly portrays the downfall of Dibon from a position of "glory" and strength to one of utter destitution and shame. This illustrates God's sovereign hand in bringing low the proud and powerful.
  • Consequences of Pride: Moab's pride is a recurring theme in Jeremiah's prophecy against them (Jeremiah 48:29). This verse serves as a stark warning that reliance on human strength, wealth, or status, rather than God, leads to an inevitable fall.
  • Inescapable Destruction: The phrase "the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee" emphasizes the certainty and totality of the impending invasion. Dibon's "strong holds" will prove defenseless against the divinely appointed destroyer.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Glory" (Hebrew: kābôd): This term refers to the honor, splendor, wealth, and perceived impregnability that Dibon and Moab enjoyed. The command to "come down from thy glory" signifies a complete loss of status, prestige, and security.
  • "Sit in thirst" (Hebrew: yashab bātsāmā'): This is a powerful and vivid image of extreme deprivation and distress. It implies not merely a lack of water but a state of complete desolation, ruin, and humiliation, where all comforts and provisions are stripped away.
  • "Spoiler" (Hebrew: shoded): This is an active participle meaning "destroyer," "ravager," or "plunderer." It highlights the violent and devastating nature of the invading force, which will leave nothing intact.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 48:18 offers timeless lessons for individuals and nations. It serves as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of earthly power, wealth, and security. It challenges us to reflect on where we place our trust and find our "glory."

  • Humility over Pride: The fate of Dibon underscores the biblical principle that "pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). True security and lasting honor come from humility and reliance on God, not from self-exaltation.
  • God's Justice Prevails: Even when injustice or arrogance seems to prosper, this prophecy assures us that God's justice will ultimately be served. He is sovereign over all nations and peoples, using instruments like the Babylonian army (Jeremiah 25:9) to fulfill His purposes.
  • True Security: The destruction of Dibon's "strong holds" illustrates that no earthly defense is ultimately impenetrable. Our ultimate security should be found not in material possessions, military might, or human ingenuity, but in the unfailing power and faithfulness of God.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Numbers 21:30

    We have shot at them; Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon, and we have laid them waste even unto Nophah, which [reacheth] unto Medeba.

  • Isaiah 47:1

    ¶ Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: [there is] no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.

  • Isaiah 15:2

    He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads [shall be] baldness, [and] every beard cut off.

  • Jeremiah 48:22

    And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Bethdiblathaim,

  • Joshua 13:17

    Heshbon, and all her cities that [are] in the plain; Dibon, and Bamothbaal, and Bethbaalmeon,

  • Ezekiel 19:13

    And now she [is] planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground.

  • Exodus 17:3

    And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore [is] this [that] thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back