Jeremiah 48:33

KJV

And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; [their] shouting [shall be] no shouting.

KJV (with Strong's)

And joy {H8057} and gladness {H1524} is taken {H622} from the plentiful field {H3759}, and from the land {H776} of Moab {H4124}; and I have caused wine {H3196} to fail {H7673} from the winepresses {H3342}: none shall tread {H1869} with shouting {H1959}; their shouting {H1959} shall be no shouting {H1959}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Gladness and joy have been removed from productive fields and the land of Mo'av. "I have stopped the flow of wine from the vats and the shouts of those who tread the grapes - those shouts of joy are stilled."

Berean Standard Bible

Joy and gladness are removed from the orchard and from the fields of Moab. I have stopped the flow of wine from the presses; no one treads them with shouts of joy; their shouts are not for joy.

American Standard Version

And gladness and joy is taken away from the fruitful field and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to cease from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; the shouting shall be no shouting.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 48:33 powerfully depicts the utter desolation and sorrow that will befall Moab as a result of divine judgment. The verse vividly portrays the cessation of agricultural abundance and the joyous celebrations associated with harvest, specifically the treading of grapes in winepresses. It signifies a complete removal of national prosperity, festivity, and the very capacity for gladness, replaced by silence and despair, underscoring the severity of God's hand against their pride and idolatry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 48 is a comprehensive oracle dedicated entirely to the judgment of Moab, one of several such prophecies against surrounding nations found in the book (e.g., Ammon in [Jeremiah 49:1-6](/jeremiah/49-1 "Jeremiah 49:1-6 - Prophecy Against Ammon"), Edom in [Jeremiah 49:7-22](/jeremiah/49-7 "Jeremiah 49:7-22 - Prophecy Against Edom")). This chapter follows prophecies against Egypt and Philistia, preceding those against Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, and Elam. Within chapter 48, verses 31-39 specifically detail the mourning and lamentation that will accompany Moab's downfall, emphasizing the widespread sorrow that will replace their former pride and prosperity. Verse 33 serves as a poignant summary of this loss, focusing on the agricultural and celebratory aspects that were central to Moabite life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moab was a nation located east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel. They were known for their agricultural wealth, particularly their vineyards and fertile fields, which provided a basis for their prosperity and national pride. Culturally, harvest seasons, especially the grape harvest and wine production, were times of great communal celebration, marked by shouts, songs, and feasting. Moab was also deeply entrenched in idolatry, particularly the worship of Chemosh, their national deity ([Numbers 21:29](/numbers/21-29 "Numbers 21:29 - Chemosh, God of Moab")). The judgment pronounced against Moab in Jeremiah 48 is rooted in their arrogance, complacency, and defiance of the Lord, as highlighted in verses like [Jeremiah 48:7](/jeremiah/48-7 "Jeremiah 48:7 - Moab's Trust in Idols") and [Jeremiah 48:11](/jeremiah/48-11 "Jeremiah 48:11 - Moab's Undisturbed State"). The removal of their agricultural joy directly targets a cornerstone of their national identity and perceived security.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Jeremiah's prophecy against Moab and the broader prophetic literature. The primary themes include **Divine Judgment** for national pride and idolatry, where God actively intervenes to dismantle the sources of a nation's perceived strength and joy. It also highlights the **Loss of Joy and Prosperity**, as the very activities that symbolized Moab's flourishing—the plentiful fields and winepresses—are rendered barren and silent. This cessation of celebration underscores the theme of **Desolation and Lamentation**, where the vibrant sounds of harvest are replaced by an eerie quiet or cries of distress, mirroring the spiritual emptiness that results from rebellion against God. The verse powerfully illustrates that earthly blessings, when not received with gratitude and humility before God, can be swiftly removed ([Hosea 2:11-12](/hosea/2-11 "Hosea 2:11-12 - God's Judgment on Israel's Mirth")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **joy (Hebrew, _simchâh'_):** From H8057, meaning blithesomeness or glee, often associated with religious or festival rejoicing. In this context, it refers to the festive, celebratory atmosphere that accompanies a bountiful harvest, particularly the grape treading. Its removal signifies a profound emotional and spiritual void, beyond mere economic loss.
* **tread (Hebrew, _dârak'_):** From H1869, a primitive root meaning to tread, by implication to walk or to string a bow. Here, it specifically refers to the act of treading grapes in the winepress, a laborious but joyous communal activity. The cessation of this action indicates the complete halt of wine production and the associated festive gatherings.
* **shouting (Hebrew, _hêydâd'_):** From H1959, meaning acclamation or a shout. This word specifically denotes a joyful cry, often associated with harvest celebrations, especially the treading of grapes. The powerful repetition and negation ("none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting") underscore the absolute and devastating silence that will replace the former sounds of merriment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab;":** This initial clause establishes the core message of the verse: a complete removal of national delight and happiness. "Joy" (simchâh) and "gladness" (gîyl) represent the emotional and spiritual vibrancy of the nation, directly tied to their agricultural prosperity ("plentiful field," karmel, H3759). The phrase "taken from" (ʼâçaph, H622) indicates a deliberate, divine act of removal, not merely a natural decline. This signifies the end of Moab's flourishing state and the sources of its national pride.
* **"and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses:":** This clause specifies the primary source of the lost joy – the failure of wine production. The divine "I" ("I have caused... to fail," shâbath, H7673) emphasizes God's direct agency in this judgment. "Wine" (yayin, H3196) was a staple and a symbol of prosperity and celebration, and its failure from the "winepresses" (yeqeb, H3342) points to the destruction of the very infrastructure of their agricultural success and the end of the joyous labor associated with it.
* **"none shall tread with shouting; [their] shouting [shall be] no shouting.":** This final, emphatic clause reinforces the complete cessation of celebration. "Tread" (dârak, H1869) refers to the treading of grapes, a communal activity traditionally accompanied by "shouting" (hêydâd, H1959), a joyful acclamation. The powerful repetition and negation ("no shouting") highlight the absolute silence and absence of festivity. It's not just that the shouting will stop; any sound that might resemble their former joyous shouts will, in fact, be a sound of despair or utter silence, signifying the profound and irreversible loss of their former mirth.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 48:33 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey the depth of Moab's impending desolation. **Imagery** is central, painting vivid pictures of the "plentiful field" and "winepresses," which were symbols of Moab's prosperity and joy. The subsequent removal of these elements creates a stark contrast, emphasizing the severity of the judgment. **Repetition** is powerfully used in the phrase "shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting," which is a form of **Polyptoton** (repetition of words derived from the same root) combined with **Antithesis** or **Irony**. This rhetorical device amplifies the sense of utter loss, indicating that the very sound associated with their former joy will be absent or transformed into its opposite—silence or cries of lament. The phrase also functions as a **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the absence of joy to emphasize the complete and overwhelming nature of the judgment. The divine "I" ("I have caused wine to fail") attributes the calamity directly to God, employing **Divine Agency** to underscore the theological truth that this is not mere misfortune but a deliberate act of divine justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 48:33 serves as a profound theological statement on divine sovereignty and the consequences of national pride and idolatry. It illustrates that God is not only the source of all blessings but also has the power to remove them when nations persist in rebellion. The loss of joy and prosperity in Moab is a direct result of their trust in their own wealth and false gods, rather than the true God. This judgment highlights the transient nature of worldly pleasures and possessions, especially when they become objects of idolatry or sources of arrogant self-reliance. It underscores the biblical principle that true, lasting joy is not found in material abundance or human celebration, but in a right relationship with the Lord, and that His judgment often targets the very things in which people place their ultimate security and delight.

* [Isaiah 16:10](/isaiah/16-10 "Isaiah 16:10 - Cessation of Joy in Moab")
* [Hosea 2:11](/hosea/2-11 "Hosea 2:11 - God Will End Her Mirth")
* [Psalm 126:2](/psalm/126-2 "Psalm 126:2 - Our Mouths Filled with Laughter")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 48:33 offers a sobering reflection on the sources of our joy and security. For Moab, their joy was inextricably linked to their agricultural prosperity and the festive celebrations it afforded. When God's judgment fell, these earthly foundations of happiness crumbled, leaving behind only silence and sorrow. This serves as a timeless warning to us: if our joy is primarily derived from temporal blessings, material possessions, or worldly achievements, it is inherently vulnerable to loss and disappointment. True, enduring joy, as the Scriptures teach, is not dependent on external circumstances but flows from a deep and abiding relationship with God. When we anchor our hope and delight in Him, our joy remains steadfast even amidst life's trials, for He is an unchanging source of peace and contentment. This verse calls us to examine our hearts, to discern where our ultimate trust and satisfaction lie, and to reorient our affections towards the eternal Giver of all good things, rather than the fleeting gifts themselves.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the primary sources of joy in my life, and how secure are they against the uncertainties of this world?**
* **In what ways might I be placing my trust or finding my ultimate satisfaction in things that are temporary or external to God?**
* **How does the concept of divine judgment against national pride and idolatry challenge my own assumptions about prosperity and success?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a joy that is rooted in God, rather than in fleeting circumstances?**

### FAQ
**What was Moab's primary sin that led to such severe judgment?**

Answer: Moab's primary sin was their excessive pride and arrogance, coupled with their deep-seated idolatry, particularly the worship of the god Chemosh. The prophet Jeremiah frequently highlights Moab's haughtiness and their trust in their own wealth and military strength, rather than in the Lord. [Jeremiah 48:7](/jeremiah/48-7 "Jeremiah 48:7 - Moab's Trust in Idols") explicitly states, "For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken." Their complacency, described in [Jeremiah 48:11](/jeremiah/48-11 "Jeremiah 48:11 - Moab's Undisturbed State") as "Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees," contributed to their hardened hearts and resistance to God. This judgment was a direct consequence of their persistent rebellion and self-exaltation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 48:33, with its depiction of the removal of joy and the cessation of celebration due to divine judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the profound contrast between the fleeting joys of a world under sin and the eternal, unshakeable joy found in Christ. While Moab's earthly celebrations ceased due to their rebellion, the coming of Jesus inaugurates a new era of joy—a joy not dependent on harvests or material prosperity, but on spiritual redemption. He is the true "vine" ([John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus the True Vine")) from whom flows the "wine" of new covenant blessing, symbolized by His blood shed for the forgiveness of sins ([Matthew 26:28](/matthew/26-28 "Matthew 26:28 - Blood of the Covenant")). The "shouting" that ceased in Moab is replaced by the "shouts of joy" for salvation found in Christ ([Psalm 32:11](/psalm/32-11 "Psalm 32:11 - Shout for Joy")). Furthermore, the judgment against Moab foreshadows the ultimate judgment against all sin and rebellion, which Christ bore on the cross, thereby offering a path to escape the wrath to come ([Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Saved from Wrath Through Him")). Through His atoning work, believers are granted access to "fullness of joy" in God's presence ([Psalm 16:11](/psalm/16-11 "Psalm 16:11 - Fullness of Joy in God's Presence")) and an "inexpressible and glorious joy" ([1 Peter 1:8](/1_peter/1-8 "1 Peter 1:8 - Inexpressible Joy")) that transcends earthly circumstances, ensuring that for those in Him, their "shouting" will indeed be eternal "shouting" of praise and gladness.

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

Haggai 2:16

Since those [days] were, when [one] came to an heap of twenty [measures], there were [but] ten: when [one] came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty [vessels] out of the press, there were [but] twenty.

Isaiah 5:10

Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah.

Isaiah 32:9

¶ Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech.

Isaiah 32:14

Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks;

Joel 1:5

Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.

Isaiah 24:7

The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merryhearted do sigh.

Isaiah 24:12

In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction.