Jeremiah 48:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

An agonized cry from Horonayim, ruin, terrible devastation!

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 48:3 vividly portrays the impending and widespread devastation of Moab, a nation facing divine judgment. The verse describes a pervasive "voice of crying" emanating from Horonaim, a significant Moabite city, signifying deep lamentation and anguish. This sorrow is directly linked to the "spoiling and great destruction" that will befall the land, highlighting the severity and totality of the calamity prophesied against Moab for its pride, idolatry, and defiance of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 48:3 is situated within a lengthy prophetic oracle against Moab, spanning the entirety of [Jeremiah chapter 48](/jeremiah/48 "Jeremiah 48 - Prophecy Against Moab"). This chapter is part of a larger section in Jeremiah (chapters 46-51) dedicated to prophecies concerning various foreign nations, demonstrating God's sovereignty over all peoples, not just Israel. The prophecy against Moab is particularly detailed, outlining the destruction of numerous cities, the plundering of their wealth, and the humiliation of their god, Chemosh. Verse 3 specifically sets the tone for the widespread lamentation that will accompany the impending judgment, emphasizing the auditory manifestation of despair that will sweep across the Moabite territory.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moab was an ancient kingdom located east of the Dead Sea, a long-standing neighbor and often adversary of Israel. Historically, Moab was known for its agricultural wealth, its pride (often mentioned in prophetic texts like [Isaiah 16:6](/isaiah/16-6 "Isaiah 16:6 - Moab's Pride") and [Jeremiah 48:29](/jeremiah/48-29 "Jeremiah 48:29 - Moab's Arrogance")), and its polytheistic worship, particularly of the national god Chemosh (cf. [Numbers 21:29](/numbers/21-29 "Numbers 21:29 - Chemosh, God of Moab") and [1 Kings 11:7](/1_kings/11-7 "1 Kings 11:7 - Solomon's Idolatry with Chemosh")). Horonaim, mentioned in this verse, was a prominent city in southern Moab, strategically located. The "spoiling and great destruction" refers to the military campaigns, likely by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar, who served as God's instrument of judgment against various nations in the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE. This judgment was a consequence of Moab's persistent idolatry, arrogance, and occasional hostility towards God's people.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 48:3 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and biblical prophecy. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment**, illustrating God's absolute sovereignty over nations and His righteous wrath against sin, particularly pride and idolatry. The widespread lamentation and destruction underscore the **Consequences of Rebellion Against God**, demonstrating that national strength and wealth are ultimately futile without divine favor. The mention of Horonaim highlights the **Universality of Judgment**, indicating that no city or region within Moab would escape the impending doom. Furthermore, the "voice of crying" emphasizes the **Emotional and Social Toll of Calamity**, painting a vivid picture of the despair that accompanies such profound national upheaval, a common motif in prophetic literature concerning the fall of nations (e.g., [Lamentations 2:11](/lamentations/2-11 "Lamentations 2:11 - The Despair of Jerusalem")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Voice (Hebrew, _qôwl'_):** From an unused root meaning to call aloud, this word signifies an audible sound, a cry, or a proclamation. In Jeremiah 48:3, it refers to the loud, collective wailing and lamentation of the Moabite people, indicating a pervasive and inescapable expression of distress. It's not a quiet weeping but a public, urgent, and widespread sound of anguish.
* **Crying (Hebrew, _tsaʻăqâh'_):** From the root meaning "to shriek" or "to cry out," this term denotes a loud, often desperate cry, typically associated with deep distress, anguish, or an urgent appeal for help. Paired with "voice," it intensifies the image of profound sorrow and alarm, reflecting the utter despair gripping the inhabitants of Horonaim and, by extension, all of Moab.
* **Destruction (Hebrew, _sheber'_):** This word, derived from a root meaning "to break" or "to shatter," signifies a fracture, ruin, or calamity. It implies a comprehensive breaking apart, a complete collapse, or utter devastation. In the context of Jeremiah 48:3, "great destruction" emphasizes the absolute and overwhelming nature of the ruin that would befall Moab, signifying not merely damage but total societal and structural collapse.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A voice of crying shall be from Horonaim":** This clause immediately establishes the auditory and geographical focus of the prophecy. The "voice of crying" (Hebrew _qôwl tsaʻăqâh_) indicates a loud, public, and pervasive lamentation, a shriek of anguish. Horonaim, a significant Moabite city, serves as a specific point of origin, but by implication, this crying would resonate throughout the land, symbolizing the widespread despair and terror that would grip the entire nation as judgment unfolds.
* **"spoiling and great destruction":** This phrase identifies the direct cause and nature of the widespread crying. "Spoiling" (Hebrew _shôd_) refers to acts of violence, ravage, plunder, and desolation, indicating the forceful taking of possessions and the ruin of property. "Great destruction" (Hebrew _gâdôwl sheber_) intensifies this image, signifying not just minor damage but a massive, overwhelming, and complete collapse or ruin. Together, these terms paint a picture of total devastation, both material and societal, inflicted upon Moab by the invading forces, acting as instruments of God's judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 48:3 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of impending doom. The phrase "A voice of crying" utilizes **Personification**, giving an abstract sound a tangible presence, as if the very air is weeping. This also serves as vivid **Imagery**, allowing the audience to "hear" the anguish of Moab, making the prophecy more immediate and emotionally impactful. The pairing of "spoiling and great destruction" is an example of **Merism**, where two contrasting or complementary terms are used to express a totality, emphasizing the comprehensive and utter ruin that would befall Moab. Furthermore, the use of "great" (Hebrew _gâdôwl_) before "destruction" acts as **Hyperbole**, underscoring the immense scale and severity of the judgment, ensuring the audience understands the totality of the devastation. The entire verse functions as a **Prophetic Oracle**, a divinely inspired declaration of future events, serving as both a warning and a testament to God's sovereign justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 48:3, while specifically foretelling the judgment of Moab, resonates with profound theological truths applicable across all ages. It underscores God's unwavering justice and His sovereign control over the rise and fall of nations. The destruction of Moab serves as a stark reminder that pride, self-reliance, and idolatry inevitably lead to ruin, as nations and individuals are ultimately accountable to the Creator. This passage highlights the principle that divine judgment is not arbitrary but a righteous response to persistent rebellion against God's moral order. It also foreshadows a broader biblical narrative where God's ultimate justice will prevail, bringing an end to all forms of evil and oppression.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness")
* [Revelation 18:2](/revelation/18-2 "Revelation 18:2 - The Fall of Babylon")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 48:3, though describing an ancient judgment, offers timeless lessons for contemporary reflection. It calls us to examine our own lives and societies for signs of the same pride, self-sufficiency, and idolatry that led to Moab's downfall. Are we relying on our own strength, wealth, or achievements rather than humbly depending on God? Do we elevate anything—be it career, possessions, or even ideologies—to a place of ultimate allegiance that belongs only to the Creator? The "voice of crying" from Horonaim reminds us of the profound suffering that results when humanity turns away from divine truth and justice. This should cultivate within us a spirit of humility, repentance, and a renewed commitment to seeking God's will above all else. Furthermore, it prompts us to cultivate compassion for those who experience "spoiling and great destruction" in our world today, whether through conflict, natural disaster, or societal breakdown, recognizing the universal human experience of suffering and the need for divine mercy and intervention.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be exhibiting pride or self-reliance instead of dependence on God?**
* **What "idols" might I be prioritizing, consciously or unconsciously, over my relationship with the Lord?**
* **How does the "voice of crying" from Horonaim challenge my perspective on suffering and the consequences of sin in the world today?**
* **What practical steps can I take to live a life more aligned with humility, justice, and compassion, in light of God's sovereignty over nations and individuals?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary reason for God's judgment against Moab?**

Answer: The primary reasons for God's judgment against Moab, as outlined in Jeremiah 48 and other prophetic books, were their pervasive pride, their idolatry (especially the worship of Chemosh), and their long-standing hostility towards Israel, God's chosen people. Their arrogance and self-sufficiency led them to trust in their wealth and military might rather than the true God, ultimately leading to their downfall, as described in [Jeremiah 48:29-30](/jeremiah/48-29 "Jeremiah 48:29-30 - Moab's Pride and Arrogance").

**How does the "voice of crying" in Jeremiah 48:3 relate to other biblical laments?**

Answer: The "voice of crying" (Hebrew _qôwl tsaʻăqâh_) in Jeremiah 48:3 is a powerful expression of profound anguish and despair, similar to laments found throughout the Old Testament. It echoes the cries of distress heard from cities under siege or nations facing utter destruction. For example, the lamentations over Jerusalem's fall in the book of [Lamentations](/lamentations/1 "Lamentations 1 - The Desolation of Jerusalem") share a similar tone of deep sorrow and public wailing. These expressions serve to vividly portray the severity of divine judgment and the human cost of rebellion and calamity, emphasizing the emotional toll of such events.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 48:3 describes a specific historical judgment on Moab, its deeper theological resonance points to the ultimate judgment and redemption found in Christ. The "spoiling and great destruction" that befell Moab, a consequence of its pride and idolatry, foreshadows the universal judgment against all sin and rebellion that will one day be fully realized. However, rather than leaving humanity in despair, Christ Himself bore the ultimate "destruction" of sin on the cross, becoming the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The "voice of crying" from Horonaim, a cry of hopelessness under judgment, is contrasted by the new song of redemption and hope offered through Christ. For those who trust in Him, the judgment they deserve has been fully satisfied, and instead of destruction, they receive eternal life and reconciliation with God ([Romans 5:8-10](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8-10 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). The prophetic judgments against nations like Moab ultimately serve to highlight the absolute necessity of a Savior, who delivers humanity from the deserved consequences of sin and brings about a new creation where there will be [no more crying or pain](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain").

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 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.