Jeremiah 48:38

KJV

[There shall be] lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof: for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein [is] no pleasure, saith the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

There shall be lamentation {H4553} generally upon all the housetops {H1406} of Moab {H4124}, and in the streets {H7339} thereof: for I have broken {H7665} Moab {H4124} like a vessel {H3627} wherein is no pleasure {H2656}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On all the housetops of Mo'av and in its open places - lamentation everywhere! "For I have broken Mo'av like a pot that nobody wants," says ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

On all the rooftops of Moab and in the public squares, everyone is mourning; for I have shattered Moab like an unwanted jar,” declares the LORD.

American Standard Version

On all the housetops of Moab and in the streets thereof there is lamentation every where; for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein none delighteth, saith Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 48:38 powerfully depicts the comprehensive and public devastation awaiting Moab, a judgment decreed by the sovereign Lord. The verse paints a vivid scene of widespread lamentation echoing from every rooftop and street, signifying a societal collapse. This profound sorrow is attributed to God's act of shattering Moab, likening the nation to a worthless vessel, broken beyond repair or any useful purpose, a testament to divine displeasure and the consequences of national pride and rebellion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 48:38 is nestled within a lengthy and detailed prophetic oracle against Moab, spanning the entirety of [Jeremiah 48](/jeremiah/48 "Jeremiah 48 - Prophecy Against Moab"). This chapter serves as a comprehensive pronouncement of judgment, outlining the destruction of various Moabite cities, the desolation of its land, and the capture of its people. The lamentation described in verse 38 is the culmination of the predicted calamities, emphasizing the inescapable nature of the impending doom. It follows earlier condemnations of Moab's pride and arrogance (e.g., [Jeremiah 48:29](/jeremiah/48-29 "Jeremiah 48:29 - Moab's Arrogance")) and precedes further expressions of grief and desolation, reinforcing the theme of utter ruin. The imagery of public mourning on housetops and in streets underscores that no corner of Moab will be untouched by this divine reckoning.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moab was an ancient nation located east of the Dead Sea, historically related to Israel through Lot (Genesis 19:37). Despite this kinship, Moab often stood in opposition to Israel, engaging in conflict and practicing idolatry, particularly the worship of Chemosh, their national god. Throughout their history, Moab exhibited a strong sense of pride, often relying on their wealth and fortified cities. The "housetops" mentioned in the verse were common places for public gatherings, religious rituals, and expressions of grief in ancient Near Eastern cultures, making them fitting locations for widespread lamentation. The "streets" similarly served as public squares where communal mourning would be visible to all. This prophecy likely dates to a period when Babylon was rising as a dominant power, serving as God's instrument of judgment against nations like Moab, reflecting a broader pattern of divine judgment against nations that defied Him, as seen in other oracles within Jeremiah (e.g., against Egypt in [Jeremiah 46](/jeremiah/46 "Jeremiah 46 - Prophecy Against Egypt") or Babylon in [Jeremiah 50-51](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50-51 - Prophecy Against Babylon")).
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 48:38 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah and biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**. The explicit declaration "saith the LORD" underscores that Moab's destruction is not a random geopolitical event but a direct, divinely orchestrated act, demonstrating God's absolute authority over nations and their destinies. Secondly, the verse highlights **Utter Desolation and Public Mourning**, emphasizing the comprehensive and inescapable nature of God's judgment. The imagery of lamentation on housetops and in streets signifies a total societal collapse, affecting every household and public space. Thirdly, the **Metaphor of the Broken Vessel** is central, symbolizing complete ruination and worthlessness. Like a shattered pot, Moab would be rendered useless and discarded, conveying a sense of irreversible destruction and divine rejection due to its persistent pride and idolatry, a theme common in Jeremiah's prophecies against nations and even Judah (e.g., [Jeremiah 19:10-11](/jeremiah/19-10 "Jeremiah 19:10-11 - The Broken Jar")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lamentation (Hebrew, _miçpêd'_):** From a root meaning "to wail" or "to beat the breast," this term denotes a deep, public expression of grief and mourning, often accompanied by ritualistic wailing. Its use here emphasizes the profound and widespread sorrow that would overwhelm Moab, not just private grief but a communal outcry of despair.
* **broken (Hebrew, _shâbar'_):** This primitive root signifies a forceful act of bursting, shattering, or crushing. In this context, it conveys the violent and complete destruction inflicted upon Moab by God. It implies an irreversible state of ruin, where something once whole and functional is now rendered utterly useless and fragmented.
* **pleasure (Hebrew, _chêphets'_):** While meaning "pleasure" or "desire," in the phrase "no pleasure," it denotes something utterly undesirable, without value, or devoid of purpose. When applied to a "vessel," it suggests an object that has lost all utility and appeal, fit only for discard. This powerfully conveys God's ultimate verdict on Moab's arrogance and idolatry: they have become an object of His disfavor, utterly worthless in His sight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[There shall be] lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof:** This clause vividly portrays the public and pervasive nature of Moab's impending sorrow. "Lamentation" (Hebrew: _miçpêd_) signifies deep, ritualized mourning. Its presence "generally upon all the housetops" and "in the streets" indicates that no one will be exempt from this grief; it will be a public, communal wail, echoing from the most private spaces (rooftops, where families often gathered) to the most public (streets, where daily life unfolded). This imagery emphasizes the totality of the devastation and the inescapable nature of the judgment.
* **for I have broken Moab:** This declarative statement reveals the divine agent behind Moab's destruction. The "I" refers to the LORD, asserting His sovereignty and direct involvement in the nation's downfall. The verb "broken" (Hebrew: _shâbar_) signifies a violent and complete shattering, implying that Moab's strength, pride, and national identity would be utterly crushed, not by mere human conflict, but by divine decree.
* **like a vessel wherein [is] no pleasure, saith the LORD:** This powerful simile clarifies the nature of Moab's brokenness. A "vessel" (Hebrew: _kᵉlîy_) could be any implement or utensil. The phrase "wherein is no pleasure" (Hebrew: _ein chêphets_) means it is utterly undesirable, without value, or purpose. Just as a potter might smash a pot that is flawed or no longer useful, God declares Moab to be a discarded, worthless object in His eyes, fit only for destruction. The concluding phrase "saith the LORD" (Hebrew: _nᵉʼum Yᵉhôvâh_) acts as a divine oracle, authenticating the prophecy and emphasizing that this judgment is a direct, authoritative word from the self-existent God, Jehovah.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 48:38 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of impending doom. The most prominent is the **Simile**, where Moab is explicitly compared to "a vessel wherein is no pleasure." This comparison is highly effective, illustrating not only the complete destruction of Moab but also its utter worthlessness in God's eyes. Like a broken pot, it is beyond repair and usefulness, fit only to be discarded. This imagery evokes a sense of irreversible ruin and divine rejection. Furthermore, the verse uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the widespread nature of the lamentation, stating it will be "generally upon all the housetops... and in the streets thereof." This exaggeration underscores the totality of the catastrophe, implying that no one will escape the pervasive sorrow. The phrase "saith the LORD" functions as a **Divine Oracle Formula**, lending absolute authority and certainty to the prophetic pronouncement. It removes any doubt that this is a human prediction, firmly establishing it as a direct word from the sovereign God. The overall tone is one of **Pathos**, evoking a sense of deep sadness and despair over the impending fate of Moab.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 48:38 serves as a profound theological statement on God's sovereign judgment over nations, particularly those characterized by pride and idolatry. It underscores the principle that divine patience has limits, and persistent rebellion against God's moral order will inevitably lead to devastating consequences. The breaking of Moab like a worthless vessel illustrates that God is not merely reacting to events but actively shaping history, bringing low the arrogant and exalting the humble. This judgment is a demonstration of His justice, affirming that He holds all peoples accountable for their actions and their defiance of His rightful authority. Ultimately, it points to God's unwavering commitment to His own glory and His intolerance of anything that usurps His rightful place.

* [Psalm 2:4-5](/psalm/2-4 "Psalm 2:4-5 - God's Derision of Rebellious Nations")
* [Isaiah 45:9](/isaiah/45-9 "Isaiah 45:9 - The Potter and the Clay")
* [Romans 9:20-23](/romans/9-20 "Romans 9:20-23 - God's Sovereignty Over Vessels")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 48:38, while a historical prophecy against a specific nation, carries timeless spiritual truths for contemporary believers. It serves as a stark reminder of the perils of pride and self-sufficiency, which were Moab's undoing. When we, individually or corporately, elevate our own achievements, wisdom, or resources above God's sovereignty, we risk becoming "vessels wherein is no pleasure" in His sight. This verse calls us to cultivate profound humility, recognizing that all we have and are comes from God, and our true worth is found not in our accomplishments but in our relationship with Him. It also affirms God's unwavering justice, reminding us that while His grace is abundant, His holiness demands accountability for sin. Therefore, we are called to live lives of repentance, seeking to be vessels of honor, useful to the Master, rather than broken and discarded.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be exhibiting pride or self-reliance that could lead to spiritual brokenness?**
* **How does the imagery of God breaking a nation like a worthless vessel challenge my understanding of His sovereignty and justice?**
* **What steps can I take to ensure I am a "vessel of pleasure" to the Lord, useful for His purposes, rather than being discarded?**

### FAQ
**Why did God judge Moab so severely?**

Answer: God's judgment on Moab, as detailed throughout [Jeremiah 48](/jeremiah/48 "Jeremiah 48 - Prophecy Against Moab"), was a consequence of their persistent pride, arrogance, and idolatry. Moab had a long history of defying the Lord, oppressing His people Israel, and worshipping false gods like Chemosh. Their self-sufficiency and contempt for God's ways led to their downfall. The severity of the judgment reflects the seriousness of their rebellion against the sovereign Creator of all nations, who holds all accountable for their actions ([Psalm 9:17](/psalm/9-17 "Psalm 9:17 - The Wicked Turn to Sheol")).

**What does "like a vessel wherein is no pleasure" mean in practical terms?**

Answer: This powerful simile means that Moab would be rendered utterly worthless and useless in God's eyes, much like a clay pot that is broken beyond repair or has become so defiled that it serves no purpose and brings no delight to its owner. It signifies complete ruin, divine rejection, and a loss of identity and function. For a nation, this implies the loss of its sovereignty, its people, its land, and its cultural distinctiveness, becoming a mere fragment of its former self, fit only for discard ([Lamentations 4:2](/lamentations/4-2 "Lamentations 4:2 - Precious Sons as Earthen Pots")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 48:38 speaks of God's judgment on Moab, it also points forward to the ultimate and perfect judgment and redemption found in Jesus Christ. The brokenness of Moab as a vessel "wherein is no pleasure" foreshadows the brokenness of humanity under the weight of sin, a state where we are inherently displeasing and useless in God's perfect sight ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). However, unlike Moab, whose judgment was final in this context, Christ came not to break but to restore. He, the perfect Son, became the ultimate "broken vessel" on the cross, enduring the full wrath and judgment of God for humanity's sin ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - He Was Pierced for Our Transgressions")). Through His sacrifice, those who believe are not discarded but are made new creations, transformed from vessels of wrath into "vessels of mercy" ([Romans 9:23](/romans/9-23 "Romans 9:23 - Vessels of Mercy")), "vessels for honor, sanctified and useful to the Master, prepared for every good work" ([2 Timothy 2:21](/2_timothy/2-21 "2 Timothy 2:21 - Vessels for Honor")). Thus, the judgment on Moab highlights God's justice, while Christ's work reveals His profound mercy, offering a path from utter brokenness and displeasure to a renewed purpose and delight in Him.

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

Jeremiah 22:28

[Is] this man Coniah a despised broken idol? [is he] a vessel wherein [is] no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not?

Jeremiah 25:34

Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves [in the ashes], ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.

Isaiah 22:1

¶ The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?

Hosea 8:8

¶ Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein [is] no pleasure.

2 Timothy 2:20

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

2 Timothy 2:21

If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work.

Romans 9:21

Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?