Jeremiah 48:26

KJV

Make ye him drunken: for he magnified [himself] against the LORD: Moab also shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision.

KJV (with Strong's)

Make ye him drunken {H7937}: for he magnified {H1431} himself against the LORD {H3068}: Moab {H4124} also shall wallow {H5606} in his vomit {H6892}, and he also shall be in derision {H7814}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Because Mo'av boasted against ADONAI, make him so drunk that he wallows in his own vomit and becomes a laughingstock.

Berean Standard Bible

“Make him drunk, because he has magnified himself against the LORD; so Moab will wallow in his own vomit, and he will also become a laughingstock.

American Standard Version

Make ye him drunken; for he magnified himself against Jehovah: and Moab shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 48:26 pronounces a severe judgment upon Moab, declaring that the nation, intoxicated by its own pride and self-exaltation against the Lord, will be made to drink the cup of divine wrath. This vivid prophecy depicts Moab's utter humiliation and degradation, illustrating a complete loss of control and public shame as a direct consequence of its arrogant defiance of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 48:26 is embedded within a comprehensive oracle against Moab, which spans the entirety of [Jeremiah chapter 48](/jeremiah/48 "Jeremiah 48 - Judgment Against Moab"). This chapter is part of a larger section in Jeremiah (chapters 46-51) dedicated to prophecies concerning foreign nations, demonstrating Yahweh's sovereignty over all peoples, not just Israel. The oracle against Moab is particularly detailed, outlining its destruction from various angles—its cities, its people, its false god Chemosh, and its pride. Verse 26 specifically serves as a powerful summary statement, encapsulating the core reason for Moab's downfall (its arrogance) and the graphic nature of its impending judgment, transitioning from a command to "make him drunken" to a description of the resulting shame. The preceding verses detail the devastation of Moabite cities, while subsequent verses continue to elaborate on the extent of their ruin and eventual, though distant, restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moab was a Transjordanian kingdom, located east of the Dead Sea, with a long and often contentious history with Israel, dating back to the time of the Exodus (e.g., [Numbers 22-24](/numbers/22 "Numbers 22-24 - Balaam and Balak")). Known for its fertile lands and strategic position along trade routes, Moab had often enjoyed prosperity, which contributed to its notorious pride and self-sufficiency. Culturally, Moab was deeply devoted to its national god, Chemosh, whose worship often involved human sacrifice ([2 Kings 3:27](/2_kings/3-27 "2 Kings 3:27 - Moabite King Sacrifices His Son")). Their antagonism towards Israel and Judah, coupled with their idolatry and arrogance, made them a frequent target of prophetic condemnation. The imagery of drunkenness and vomiting would have been particularly potent in a culture where excessive feasting and revelry could be associated with both prosperity and moral decay, making Moab's forced intoxication a symbolic reversal of its perceived strength and self-control.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of [Jeremiah 48](/jeremiah/48 "Jeremiah 48 - The Prophecy Against Moab") and specifically verse 26 is **Divine Judgment on Pride**. Moab's "magnifying himself against the LORD" is the direct cause of its downfall. This aligns with a pervasive biblical truth that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, as articulated in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction") and [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Opposes the Proud"). Another significant theme is the **Cup of God's Wrath**, a recurring prophetic metaphor where nations are forced to drink a cup filled with divine judgment, leading to staggering, confusion, and ruin ([Isaiah 51:17](/isaiah/51-17 "Isaiah 51:17 - The Cup of God's Fury")). The graphic imagery of "wallowing in his vomit" underscores the theme of **Utter Humiliation and Degradation**, signifying a complete loss of dignity and public disgrace for a nation that once boasted of its strength. Finally, the prophecy powerfully asserts **God's Sovereignty** over all nations, demonstrating that no earthly kingdom, however mighty or self-assured, can ultimately defy the Lord without facing His righteous and inevitable judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **drunken (Hebrew, _shâkar'_):** A primitive root meaning to become tipsy, or in a qualified sense, to satiate with a stimulating drink or figurative influence. It implies a state of being overwhelmed, losing control, and staggering, often used in contexts of divine judgment where a nation is forced to consume the "wine" of God's wrath, leading to confusion and helplessness.
* **magnified (Hebrew, _gâdal'_):** A primitive root meaning to be or make large, to advance, boast, lift up, or to speak proudly. In this context, it specifically refers to Moab's self-exaltation, arrogance, and boasting against the ultimate authority of the LORD, indicating a defiant and inflated sense of importance.
* **wallow (Hebrew, _çâphaq'_):** A primitive root that can mean to clap the hands (in token of compact, derision, grief, indignation, or punishment), to be enough, or by implication of excess, to vomit. Here, it conveys the graphic image of being utterly overwhelmed and collapsing into a state of self-inflicted misery and disgrace, literally rolling in one's own repulsive output.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Make ye him drunken:"** This imperative command is a prophetic declaration, not a literal instruction to human agents. It signifies God's decree that Moab will be overwhelmed by His judgment, likening it to being forced to drink an intoxicating, debilitating substance. The effect is a loss of control, clarity, and dignity, leading to a state of helpless stupor.
* **"for he magnified himself against the LORD:"** This clause provides the explicit reason for Moab's severe judgment. Their "magnifying" (exalting) themselves was not merely an act of human pride but a direct affront and defiance against Yahweh, the sovereign God. It implies an arrogant rejection of His authority and a self-idolatory that challenged His supremacy.
* **"Moab also shall wallow in his vomit,"** This is a vivid and repulsive image of extreme humiliation and degradation. Having been made "drunken" with God's wrath, Moab will experience the physical manifestation of that spiritual intoxication—vomiting—and then be so utterly broken and helpless that it will "wallow" in its own filth. This symbolizes a complete loss of honor, purity, and self-respect, reducing the once proud nation to a disgusting spectacle.
* **"and he also shall be in derision."** The final clause underscores the public and humiliating nature of Moab's fall. "Derision" implies mockery, scorn, and ridicule. Moab, which had often mocked Israel and boasted in its own strength, will now become an object of scorn for others, a testament to the consequences of defying the Almighty. Their former pride will be replaced by universal contempt.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 48:26 is rich in **Metaphor**, primarily through the imagery of drunkenness. Moab is not literally made drunk, but the experience of divine judgment is likened to consuming a potent, debilitating drink, leading to a loss of control and clarity. This extends to the **Metaphor** of the "cup of wrath," a common biblical motif representing God's righteous anger poured out upon rebellious nations. The phrase "wallow in his vomit" employs graphic **Imagery** and **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme degradation and public shame that awaits Moab, pushing the boundaries of disgust to convey the depth of their humiliation. There is also a strong element of **Irony** at play: Moab's "magnifying himself" (pride) directly leads to its ultimate "derision" (shame), demonstrating the reversal of fortune for those who oppose God. The entire verse functions as a powerful **Prophetic Oracle**, delivering a divine decree that is certain to come to pass, serving as a warning to all who would defy the Lord.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 48:26 powerfully illustrates the biblical principle that pride precedes destruction. Moab's self-exaltation against the LORD is identified as the root cause of its catastrophic downfall. This serves as a timeless theological truth: God, in His absolute sovereignty and holiness, cannot tolerate human arrogance that seeks to usurp His place or defy His will. The graphic imagery of drunkenness, vomiting, and derision underscores the severe consequences of such defiance, demonstrating that divine judgment is not merely punitive but also restorative, bringing low the proud to uphold God's righteous order. This passage reminds us that true strength and stability are found not in human boasting or worldly power, but in humble submission to the Lord.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Isaiah 51:17](/isaiah/51-17 "Isaiah 51:17 - The Cup of God's Fury")
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Opposes the Proud")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 48:26 offers a stark warning for all generations, reminding us that pride, whether individual or corporate, is a dangerous and destructive force. When we "magnify ourselves against the LORD," we set ourselves on a collision course with divine judgment. This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts and the collective attitudes of our communities and nations. Are we prone to self-sufficiency, boasting in our accomplishments, or dismissing God's authority? The imagery of wallowing in vomit and becoming an object of derision is a visceral reminder of the utter humiliation that awaits those who refuse to humble themselves before the Creator. True wisdom and lasting peace are found in acknowledging God's sovereignty, submitting to His will, and cultivating a spirit of humility. This verse calls us to repent of any form of spiritual arrogance and to live lives that genuinely honor God, recognizing that all good things come from Him and that our glory is found only in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "magnifying myself against the LORD," perhaps unknowingly?**
* **How does the graphic imagery of "wallowing in his vomit" impact my understanding of the consequences of spiritual pride?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater humility and dependence on God in my daily life?**
* **How can this passage inform my prayers for nations and leaders who may be demonstrating arrogance or defiance against God?**

### FAQ

**Why is Moab singled out for such a graphic judgment?**

Answer: Moab is singled out due to its long history of pride, idolatry (particularly the worship of Chemosh), and consistent antagonism towards Israel and Judah. The prophet Jeremiah highlights Moab's self-exaltation and boasting "against the LORD" as the primary reason for this severe divine judgment. The graphic language, including being made "drunken" and "wallowing in his vomit," emphasizes the utter humiliation and degradation that would befall a nation that had historically prided itself on its strength and independence, aligning with the biblical principle that God opposes the proud ([James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Opposes the Proud")).

**What does the "cup of wrath" imagery signify in biblical prophecy?**

Answer: The "cup of wrath" is a powerful and recurring metaphor in biblical prophecy, signifying God's righteous judgment poured out upon rebellious nations or individuals. When a nation is made to "drink" this cup, it implies that they are forced to experience the full measure of God's indignation, leading to a state of confusion, staggering, helplessness, and ultimately, ruin. This imagery is found in various prophetic books, such as [Isaiah 51:17](/isaiah/51-17 "Isaiah 51:17 - The Cup of God's Fury") and [Revelation 14:10](/revelation/14-10 "Revelation 14:10 - The Cup of God's Wrath"), underscoring the certainty and overwhelming nature of divine retribution for sin and defiance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 48:26, with its vivid portrayal of Moab's judgment for pride and self-exaltation, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the stark contrast between human arrogance and divine humility. While Moab "magnified himself against the LORD" and was therefore made "drunken" with judgment and "wallowed in his vomit," Jesus Christ, though God, "did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage" ([Philippians 2:6](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6 - Christ's Humility")). Instead, He humbled Himself, taking on the form of a servant and becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross ([Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")-[Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")). He did not wallow in the vomit of His own sin, for He had none, but rather bore the "cup of wrath" for humanity, drinking it to its dregs on Calvary so that we might not have to ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")). Through His sacrifice, Christ takes away the spiritual intoxication of sin and the shame of our rebellion, offering us true sobriety, dignity, and a place of honor in God's kingdom, transforming our potential "derision" into eternal joy and glory in Him ([Romans 5:1-2](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Justification by Faith")). He is the humble King who delivers us from the consequences of our own pride and offers true exaltation through His self-abasement.

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 19:14

The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken [man] staggereth in his vomit.

Jeremiah 51:39

In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 48:42

And Moab shall be destroyed from [being] a people, because he hath magnified [himself] against the LORD.

Isaiah 29:9

¶ Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.

Exodus 5:2

And Pharaoh said, Who [is] the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.

Lamentations 4:21

¶ Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked.

Jeremiah 51:7

Babylon [hath been] a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.