Jeremiah 48:36

KJV

Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kirheres: because the riches [that] he hath gotten are perished.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore mine heart {H3820} shall sound {H1993} for Moab {H4124} like pipes {H2485}, and mine heart {H3820} shall sound {H1993} like pipes {H2485} for the men {H582} of Kirheres {H7025}: because the riches {H3502} that he hath gotten {H6213} are perished {H6}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is why my heart is moaning for Mo'av like funeral flutes, why my heart moans for the men of Kir-Heres like funeral flutes; for the wealth they produced has vanished.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore My heart laments like a flute for Moab; it laments like a flute for the men of Kir-heres, because the wealth they acquired has perished.

American Standard Version

Therefore my heart soundeth for Moab like pipes, and my heart soundeth like pipes for the men of Kir-heres: therefore the abundance that he hath gotten is perished.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 48:36 captures the prophet Jeremiah's profound and empathetic lament over the impending destruction of Moab, a nation often hostile to Israel. Despite Moab's consistent opposition and idolatry, Jeremiah expresses deep personal sorrow, likening his heart's anguish to the mournful sound of pipes, specifically for the people of Moab and the inhabitants of its fortified city, Kirheres. This intense grief is rooted in the tragic reality that Moab's accumulated wealth and perceived security, in which it placed its trust, are destined to perish under God's righteous judgment. The verse powerfully conveys the universal reach of divine justice and the transient nature of earthly possessions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 48 is a sustained oracle of judgment against Moab, one of several such prophecies against surrounding nations found in chapters 46-51. This chapter details the comprehensive devastation that will befall Moab, from its cities to its people and its false gods. The prophecy is characterized by vivid imagery of destruction, lamentation, and the utter downfall of a proud nation. Verse 36 specifically follows a series of pronouncements regarding the desolation of Moabite cities and the wailing that will accompany their ruin (e.g., [Jeremiah 48:34](/jeremiah/48-34 "Jeremiah 48:34 - Lament over Moab's Cities")). Jeremiah's personal lament here intensifies the pathos, showing that even the prophet who delivers the judgment shares in the sorrow of humanity's suffering, a theme consistent with his role as the "weeping prophet" (cf. [Jeremiah 9:1](/jeremiah/9-1 "Jeremiah 9:1 - Jeremiah's Deep Sorrow")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moab was an ancient kingdom located east of the Dead Sea, a long-standing neighbor and often adversary of Israel, tracing its lineage back to Lot (cf. [Genesis 19:37](/genesis/19-37 "Genesis 19:37 - Origin of Moab")). Historically, Moab was known for its pride (e.g., [Isaiah 16:6](/isaiah/16-6 "Isaiah 16:6 - Moab's Pride")) and idolatry, particularly the worship of Chemosh (cf. [Numbers 21:29](/numbers/21-29 "Numbers 21:29 - Chemosh, God of Moab")). The "riches" mentioned in the verse would have included agricultural prosperity, livestock, and accumulated treasures, which contributed to Moab's sense of self-sufficiency and pride. Kirheres (also known as Kir Hareseth or Kir of Moab) was a heavily fortified Moabite city, serving as a symbol of the nation's military strength and security. The prophecy against Moab likely occurred during the late 7th or early 6th century BCE, a period of significant geopolitical upheaval dominated by the rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which God used as an instrument of judgment against many nations, including Judah and its neighbors.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Jeremiah and the prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Universal Judgment**, demonstrating that God's authority extends over all nations, not just Israel, and that He holds all accountable for their pride, idolatry, and sin. Secondly, it highlights **Prophetic Empathy and Lamentation**, revealing Jeremiah's deep compassion even for an enemy nation facing divine wrath, reflecting a broader biblical principle of sorrow over human suffering, regardless of allegiance. This contrasts sharply with the typical human desire for an enemy's complete destruction. Lastly, the perishing of Moab's "riches" emphasizes the **Transience of Earthly Security and Material Wealth**, a recurring motif in wisdom literature (e.g., [Proverbs 23:5](/proverbs/23-5 "Proverbs 23:5 - The Fleeting Nature of Riches")) and prophetic warnings against trusting in anything other than God. Moab's reliance on its material possessions and fortified cities proved futile against the divine decree.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **heart (Hebrew, _lêb'_):** This word, often used figuratively, refers to the innermost being—the seat of emotions, will, intellect, and even the center of anything. In Jeremiah 48:36, it signifies the prophet's deepest emotional core, indicating profound personal sorrow and empathy rather than mere observation. It's not just a physical reaction but a spiritual and emotional resonance with the impending suffering.
* **sound (Hebrew, _hâmâh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to make a loud sound," often implying great commotion, tumult, rage, or moaning. While it can denote a clamor, here, in conjunction with "pipes" (flutes), it evokes a mournful, wailing, or groaning sound, characteristic of lamentation or a funeral dirge. It conveys the deep, guttural expression of grief that reverberates from Jeremiah's very core.
* **pipes (Hebrew, _châlîyl'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to perforate," this term specifically refers to a flute. While flutes could be used in joyous celebrations, they were also commonly employed in contexts of mourning, funerals, and lamentations (e.g., [Matthew 9:23](/matthew/9-23 "Matthew 9:23 - The Flute Players at Jairus's House")). In this verse, the "pipes" are explicitly associated with a sorrowful, wailing sound, underscoring the dirge-like quality of Jeremiah's lament for Moab.
* **riches (Hebrew, _yithrâh'_):** This feminine noun properly means "excellence" but by implication refers to "wealth" or "abundance." It signifies the accumulated possessions, prosperity, and material strength that Moab had acquired. The perishing of these "riches" is the direct cause of the prophet's lament, highlighting the futility of trusting in material security when divine judgment arrives.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes":** This clause introduces the prophet's deep, personal lament. The "heart" (lêb) signifies Jeremiah's profound inner being, which will "sound" (hâmâh) or wail. The comparison to "pipes" (châlîyl) immediately establishes the mournful, dirge-like quality of this sound, indicating a lamentation or funeral wail rather than joyous music. This reveals Jeremiah's empathetic sorrow for Moab, despite its historical animosity towards Israel.
* **"and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kirheres":** This is a poetic parallelism, reiterating and intensifying the previous clause. Kirheres, a significant fortified city in Moab, represents the heart of Moabite strength and population. By specifically mentioning its inhabitants, the lament is personalized and localized, emphasizing the widespread nature of the coming devastation and the prophet's sorrow for all who will suffer. The repetition underscores the depth and breadth of his grief.
* **"because the riches [that] he hath gotten are perished":** This final clause provides the explicit reason for Jeremiah's profound lamentation. Moab's "riches" (yithrâh), representing its accumulated wealth, prosperity, and the source of its pride and security, are destined to "perish" (ʼâbad). This signifies a complete loss, destruction, or ruin. The perishing of these material assets is not merely an economic loss but a catastrophic blow to Moab's identity and its misplaced trust, prompting the prophet's mournful outcry.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 48:36 is rich in literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact. The most prominent is **Simile**, where Jeremiah's "heart" is explicitly compared to "pipes." This comparison is not merely descriptive but evokes a powerful sensory image of a mournful, wailing sound, transforming an internal emotion into an audible lament. The repetition of this simile within the same verse ("mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kirheres") functions as **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, which reinforces the intensity and pervasive nature of the prophet's grief, extending it to both the nation as a whole and its key stronghold. The phrase "the riches that he hath gotten are perished" employs **Metonymy**, where "riches" stand in for the entire foundation of Moab's security, pride, and self-sufficiency, all of which are collapsing. The overall tone of the verse is one of profound **Pathos**, as the prophet, the messenger of judgment, expresses deep empathy and sorrow for the very people he is prophesying against, highlighting the tragic consequences of divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 48:36 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of divine judgment and human compassion. It reveals that while God is sovereign in executing justice against sin and pride, His prophets, and by extension, His people, are called to lament over the suffering that results, even when it befalls adversaries. This demonstrates a divine perspective that transcends mere retribution, emphasizing the tragic consequences of unrepentant sin and the ultimate futility of trusting in earthly wealth and power. The perishing of Moab's riches serves as a stark reminder that all human achievements and material accumulations are transient and vulnerable before the immutable will of God, urging a reorientation of trust from the temporal to the eternal.

* [Isaiah 16:11](/isaiah/16-11 "Isaiah 16:11 - Isaiah's Lament for Moab")
* [Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16 "Luke 12:16-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool")
* [James 5:1-3](/james/5-1 "James 5:1-3 - Warning to the Rich")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 48:36 calls us to a profound reflection on our own hearts and the objects of our trust. The prophet's lament for Moab, a nation that was an enemy of Israel and steeped in idolatry, challenges us to cultivate a compassionate heart that grieves over the suffering of all humanity, even those with whom we disagree or who oppose us. This empathy, born from a recognition of shared human vulnerability before God's ultimate justice, prevents us from gloating in the downfall of others and instead fosters a spirit of intercession and sorrow for the consequences of sin. Furthermore, the perishing of Moab's "riches" serves as a timeless warning against the deceptive allure of materialism and the false security it promises. In a world that often measures success by accumulated wealth and possessions, this verse reminds us that true and lasting security is found not in what we possess, but in our relationship with God. It compels us to examine where our ultimate trust lies and to re-evaluate our priorities in light of eternity, recognizing that earthly treasures are fleeting and can never provide ultimate refuge from life's inevitable storms or divine accountability.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jeremiah's lament for Moab challenge my own capacity for compassion towards those I consider adversaries or who hold different beliefs?**
* **In what ways might I be placing my trust in "riches" or earthly securities that are ultimately perishable?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the universal nature of God's justice, and how should that shape my worldview?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that grieves over the consequences of sin and suffering in the world, rather than becoming desensitized or indifferent?**

### FAQ
**Why does Jeremiah, a prophet of God, express such deep sorrow for Moab, an enemy nation?**

Answer: Jeremiah's lament for Moab, as seen in [Jeremiah 48:36](/jeremiah/48-36 "Jeremiah 48:36 - Jeremiah's Lament for Moab"), reflects his character as the "weeping prophet" and a profound theological truth about God's heart. While God's judgment is righteous and necessary due to Moab's pride, idolatry, and opposition to Israel, it is never a cause for divine glee or human indifference. Jeremiah's sorrow demonstrates a compassionate heart that grieves over the suffering of humanity, even those who are under divine wrath. It highlights that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires their repentance (cf. [Ezekiel 33:11](/ezekiel/33-11 "Ezekiel 33:11 - God's Desire for Repentance")). The prophet's empathy serves as a model for believers, reminding us to lament the consequences of sin and the suffering it brings, even upon those we might consider adversaries.

**What is the significance of "pipes" in this verse, and why are they associated with sorrow?**

Answer: The "pipes" (Hebrew: *châlîyl*) refer to flutes. While flutes could be used in joyous celebrations, they also played a significant role in mournful contexts, such as funerals and lamentations. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, professional mourners often used flutes to accompany their wailing, creating a dirge-like sound that amplified the grief. In [Jeremiah 48:36](/jeremiah/48-36 "Jeremiah 48:36 - Jeremiah's Lament for Moab"), the comparison of Jeremiah's heart's "sound" to pipes vividly conveys a deep, guttural wail or a sorrowful dirge, signifying profound grief and despair over Moab's impending destruction. It emphasizes the intense, audible expression of his internal anguish, akin to a funeral lament for a nation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 48:36, with its poignant depiction of a prophet's lament over a perishing nation and its transient riches, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Jeremiah mourned the destruction brought by God's righteous judgment, Jesus embodies the perfect compassion of God, weeping over Jerusalem's impending destruction not because of its lost riches, but because of its spiritual blindness and rejection of Him, the source of true life and peace (cf. [Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")). The perishing of Moab's "riches" foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on the impermanence of all earthly treasures. Jesus consistently taught His disciples to lay up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal (cf. [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")), contrasting the fleeting nature of worldly wealth with the eternal security found in God. Furthermore, while Moab faced judgment for its pride and idolatry, Christ, by His atoning sacrifice, offers a way for all nations, including those once alienated from God, to find reconciliation and true spiritual wealth (cf. [Ephesians 2:13-16](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13-16 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). His cross is the ultimate demonstration of divine justice and mercy, where the consequences of sin are borne, and the path to eternal life, far surpassing any earthly "riches," is opened to all who believe (cf. [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")). Thus, the lament over perishing earthly security in Jeremiah points forward to the eternal security and spiritual abundance offered through Christ alone.

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 15:7

Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brook of the willows.

Isaiah 16:11

Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.

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.

Isaiah 63:15

¶ Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where [is] thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?

Luke 12:20

But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

Luke 12:21

So [is] he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

James 5:2

Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.