Jeremiah 48:3

A voice of crying [shall be] from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction.

A voice {H6963} of crying {H6818} shall be from Horonaim {H2773}, spoiling {H7701} and great {H1419} destruction {H7667}.

An agonized cry from Horonayim, ruin, terrible devastation!

A voice cries out from Horonaim: ‘Devastation and great destruction!’

The sound of a cry from Horonaim, desolation and great destruction!

Context

Jeremiah 48:3 is part of a comprehensive prophecy against Moab, found in Jeremiah chapter 48. This chapter details God's impending judgment upon Moab, a nation located east of the Dead Sea, known for its pride, wealth, and idolatry, particularly the worship of the deity Chemosh. The prophecy foretells widespread devastation and lamentation throughout Moabite cities, signifying the divine wrath. Horonaim was a significant Moabite city, likely located in the southern part of the territory, and its inclusion emphasizes the widespread nature of the destruction. The "voice of crying" from Horonaim underscores the depth of despair that would grip the inhabitants as the Babylonian forces, acting as instruments of God's judgment, swept through the land.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment: The verse powerfully illustrates God's sovereign control over nations and His willingness to bring judgment upon those who defy Him. The destruction of Moab serves as a testament to His justice and the consequences of rebellion.
  • Consequences of Pride and Idolatry: Moab's downfall was largely attributed to its arrogance and reliance on its own strength and gods, rather than the Lord. The lamentation from Horonaim is a direct result of this spiritual rebellion, a stark reminder that pride often precedes a fall.
  • Widespread Devastation: The prophecy describes not just a localized skirmish but a comprehensive "spoiling and great destruction," indicating a complete overthrow of Moabite society and infrastructure. This thoroughness reflects the severity of God's judgment.
  • Lamentation and Despair: The prominent phrase "voice of crying" highlights the emotional toll of the judgment. It paints a vivid picture of the anguish, fear, and sorrow that would overwhelm the people of Moab as their cities were plundered and their way of life shattered.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV text uses strong imagery. The Hebrew word for "crying" is ze'akah (צְעָקָה), which denotes a loud, urgent cry or wail, often associated with distress, anguish, or an appeal for help. This is not merely weeping but a public, audible expression of profound grief and alarm. "Spoiling" comes from shod (שׁוֹד), meaning plunder, devastation, or ruin, emphasizing the act of taking goods and destroying property. "Great destruction" translates sheber (שֶׁבֶר), which means a breaking, a shattering, or a calamity, indicating utter ruin and collapse. Together, these terms convey a scene of total and overwhelming calamity, reflecting the severe judgment prophesied against Moab.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 48:3, while describing an ancient judgment, carries timeless lessons. It reminds us that God is just and that nations, as well as individuals, are accountable to Him. The fall of Moab due to its pride and idolatry serves as a perpetual warning against self-reliance, arrogance, and turning away from the true God. It calls us to humility, repentance, and dependence on the Lord, rather than on our own strength or material possessions. Furthermore, it underscores the universal reality of suffering and the importance of compassion for those who experience great destruction, whether due to war, natural disaster, or the consequences of societal choices. Ultimately, it affirms God's sovereignty over all earthly affairs and His ultimate triumph.

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.

  • Isaiah 15:5

    My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives [shall flee] unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction.

  • Jeremiah 48:34

    From the cry of Heshbon [even] unto Elealeh, [and even] unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice, from Zoar [even] unto Horonaim, [as] an heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate.

  • Jeremiah 48:5

    For in the going up of Luhith continual weeping shall go up; for in the going down of Horonaim the enemies have heard a cry of destruction.

  • 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 47:2

    Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.

  • Isaiah 15:8

    For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the howling thereof unto Eglaim, and the howling thereof unto Beerelim.

  • Isaiah 16:7

    Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely [they are] stricken.

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