Jeremiah 48:7

KJV

For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity [with] his priests and his princes together.

KJV (with Strong's)

For because thou hast trusted {H982} in thy works {H4639} and in thy treasures {H214}, thou shalt also be taken {H3920}: and Chemosh {H3645} shall go forth {H3318} into captivity {H1473} with his priests {H3548} and his princes {H8269} together {H3162}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Because you trust in your deeds and your wealth, you too will be captured. Together with his priests and princes, K'mosh will go into exile.

Berean Standard Bible

Because you trust in your works and treasures, you too will be captured, and Chemosh will go into exile with his priests and officials.

American Standard Version

For, because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou also shalt be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity, his priests and his princes together.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 48:7 pronounces divine judgment upon Moab, declaring that their misplaced trust in their own accomplishments, material wealth, and their national deity, Chemosh, will lead to their inevitable capture and humiliation. The verse vividly portrays the fall of Moab as a direct consequence of their self-reliance and idolatry, emphasizing that even their god, along with its religious and political leaders, will be led into captivity, demonstrating the utter powerlessness of false gods against the sovereign Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 48 is a sustained oracle against Moab, one of several prophecies against foreign nations found in the book of Jeremiah (chapters 46-51). This chapter details the comprehensive destruction and desolation that will befall Moab, enumerating various cities and regions that will suffer. The prophecy is not merely a declaration of judgment but also a lament, as Jeremiah expresses sorrow over Moab's impending fate, even though they were often adversaries of Israel. Verse 7 specifically provides a theological rationale for this judgment, linking Moab's downfall directly to their spiritual failures, setting the stage for further descriptions of their humiliation and eventual restoration (though the latter is a distant hope, [Jeremiah 48:47](/jeremiah/48-47 "Jeremiah 48:47 - Hope for Moab's Restoration")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moab was an ancient kingdom located east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict or uneasy alliance with Israel. They were descendants of Lot (through his elder daughter, [Genesis 19:37](/genesis/19-37 "Genesis 19:37 - Moab's Origin")). Historically, Moab was known for its pride and arrogance ([Jeremiah 48:29](/jeremiah/48-29 "Jeremiah 48:29 - Moab's Pride")), as well as their devotion to Chemosh, their national god. Chemosh worship often involved child sacrifice and other abhorrent practices ([2 Kings 3:27](/2_kings/3-27 "2 Kings 3:27 - Moabite King Sacrifices Son")). The "works and treasures" refer to Moab's fortifications, military strength, agricultural prosperity, and accumulated wealth. The impending "captivity" refers to the Babylonian invasion under Nebuchadnezzar, which served as God's instrument of judgment against many nations in the ancient Near East, including Moab, Ammon, Edom, and others around the time of the Babylonian exile of Judah ([Jeremiah 25:9-11](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9-11 - Nebuchadnezzar as God's Servant")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several overarching themes. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Misplaced Trust**, highlighting the futility of relying on human achievements, material possessions, or false deities instead of the one true God. Moab's confidence in their "works and treasures" and their god Chemosh directly contrasts with the call for faithful reliance on Yahweh, a recurring motif throughout the prophetic books. Secondly, it emphasizes the **Futility of Idolatry**, demonstrating that pagan gods are powerless to protect their worshippers or even themselves from divine judgment. The public humiliation of Chemosh being led into captivity serves as a stark visual testament to the sovereignty of the Lord over all other perceived powers ([Psalm 115:4-7](/psalms/115-4 "Psalm 115:4-7 - Idols are Powerless")). Finally, the verse is a clear declaration of **Divine Judgment**, revealing God's righteous wrath against nations for their pride, idolatry, and opposition to His divine will, asserting His ultimate authority over all earthly kingdoms and their gods ([Isaiah 46:1-2](/isaiah/46-1 "Isaiah 46:1-2 - Bel and Nebo Bow Down")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **trusted (Hebrew, _bâṭach'_):** This primitive root signifies properly "to hide for refuge," but figuratively, it means "to trust, be confident or sure." It conveys a sense of security, reliance, and confidence. In this context, Moab's _bâṭach_ was placed in their own strength and possessions, a direct affront to the exclusive trust due to Yahweh.
* **works (Hebrew, _maʻăseh'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to make" or "to do," _maʻăseh_ refers to an action, deed, or product. Here, it encompasses Moab's accomplishments, their fortifications, military might, and perhaps even their religious rituals or self-righteous efforts. It represents human effort and achievement.
* **treasures (Hebrew, _ʼôwtsâr'_):** This noun denotes a "depository" or "storehouse," encompassing wealth, riches, and accumulated possessions. It points to Moab's material abundance and the economic security they believed their wealth provided.
* **taken (Hebrew, _lâkad'_):** A primitive root meaning "to catch (in a net, trap or pit)," and generally, "to capture or occupy." It vividly describes the act of being seized and brought into subjection, signifying the complete loss of freedom and autonomy.
* **Chemosh (Hebrew, _Kᵉmôwsh'_):** The national god of the Moabites, derived from an unused root meaning "to subdue" or "the powerful." The mention of Chemosh going into captivity underscores the ultimate impotence of this pagan deity in the face of the true God's judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures":** This clause identifies the core reason for Moab's impending judgment. Their "trust" (bâṭach) was not in the Lord, but in their own accomplishments ("works")—such as their military strength, fortified cities, and self-sufficiency—and their material wealth ("treasures"). This misplaced confidence is presented as a fundamental spiritual failing.
* **"thou shalt also be taken":** This is the direct consequence of Moab's misplaced trust. The verb "taken" (lâkad) signifies capture, implying that Moab will be conquered and its people led into exile, losing their independence and security. This is the divine retribution for their spiritual rebellion.
* **"and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity [with] his priests and his princes together":** This powerful declaration highlights the utter humiliation of Moab's national deity. Chemosh, supposedly "the powerful," is depicted as powerless, being led away as a captive, just like its human worshippers. The inclusion of "his priests and his princes" emphasizes that the religious and political leadership, who were instrumental in promoting the worship of Chemosh and the nation's self-reliance, will share the same fate as their god, signifying a complete and comprehensive downfall.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent **Literary Devices**. **Personification** is evident in the depiction of Chemosh, the inanimate idol, "going forth into captivity" as if it were a living being, thus emphasizing its utter defeat and humiliation. This also serves as a form of **Irony**, as the god supposedly powerful enough to protect Moab is shown to be utterly impotent, unable to save itself, its priests, or its princes. The entire verse functions as a **Prophecy**, a divine declaration of future events, specifically the judgment and downfall of Moab. The parallel structure, linking Moab's trust in works/treasures to its capture, and Chemosh's captivity with its retinue, creates a strong sense of **Cause and Effect**, underscoring the direct correlation between sin and judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 48:7 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of true security and the futility of idolatry. It reveals God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and their false gods, demonstrating that no human endeavor or pagan deity can withstand His righteous judgment. The Moabites' misplaced trust in their "works and treasures" and their devotion to Chemosh illustrate a universal human tendency to seek security and significance in created things rather than the Creator. This verse underscores the principle that anything elevated to the status of ultimate trust or worship apart from the Lord will ultimately prove to be a source of disappointment and lead to destruction. It is a timeless warning against self-reliance and the worship of anything other than the one true God, emphasizing that true peace and deliverance come only from Him.

* [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Lord, not chariots")
* [Proverbs 11:28](/proverbs/11-28 "Proverbs 11:28 - Trusting in Riches")
* [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - Folly of Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 48:7 challenges us to deeply examine the objects of our own trust and devotion. In a world that constantly encourages self-reliance, the pursuit of wealth, and the veneration of human achievement, this verse serves as a stark reminder that true security and lasting peace are found only in God. We are prone to placing our confidence in our careers, financial portfolios, social status, intellectual prowess, or even our moral conduct, believing these things will provide ultimate stability or significance. However, just as Moab's "works and treasures" proved to be a broken cistern, so too will any earthly foundation ultimately fail. The fate of Chemosh, the idol dragged into captivity, vividly illustrates that anything we elevate above God will inevitably be exposed as powerless and lead to spiritual emptiness or ruin. This calls us to a radical reorientation of our hearts, repenting of any misplaced trust and consciously choosing to anchor our hope, security, and identity solely in the sovereign God, who alone is able to deliver, sustain, and fulfill.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "works" or "treasures" in your life do you tend to rely on for security or identity, perhaps more than you rely on God?**
* **How does the humiliation of Chemosh challenge your understanding of what truly holds power in the world?**
* **In what practical ways can you shift your trust from earthly things to God in your daily life?**
* **What idols, subtle or overt, might you be serving in your own life, and what steps can you take to dismantle them?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of Chemosh being taken into captivity?**

Answer: The capture of Chemosh, the national god of Moab, was profoundly significant because it symbolized the complete defeat and humiliation of the Moabite nation. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the power of a nation was often tied to the power of its gods. When a nation was conquered, it was believed that its gods had also been defeated or had abandoned them. For Chemosh to be led into captivity alongside its priests and princes meant that the god itself was powerless to protect its people or even itself. This demonstrated the absolute supremacy of Yahweh, the God of Israel, over all pagan deities, reinforcing the message that idols are nothing and cannot save.

**Does "works and treasures" refer only to material things?**

Answer: While "works" (maʻăseh) can certainly include material accomplishments like fortifications and military strength, and "treasures" (ʼôwtsâr) clearly refers to material wealth, the phrase also carries a broader spiritual implication. "Works" can encompass human efforts, self-righteousness, and reliance on one's own abilities or rituals for salvation or security. "Treasures" can extend to anything that a person or nation values supremely and places their ultimate confidence in, whether it be political alliances, cultural achievements, or even perceived moral superiority. The core issue is misplaced trust, diverting reliance from God to anything created or human-made.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 48:7, with its stark portrayal of misplaced trust and the futility of idols, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Moabites trusted in their "works and treasures" and in Chemosh, a god of human invention and depravity. This reflects humanity's universal inclination to seek security and salvation through self-effort or by worshipping created things rather than the Creator. However, the New Testament reveals that "by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Saved by Grace Through Faith")). Our "works" are insufficient to save us, and our "treasures" are fleeting.

Christ, unlike Chemosh, is not a powerless idol but the sovereign God incarnate, who willingly "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")). He did not go into captivity as a defeated deity but willingly laid down His life, conquering sin and death through His resurrection ([Romans 6:9-10](/romans/6-9 "Romans 6:9-10 - Christ's Resurrection")). Where Moab's trust in Chemosh led to their downfall, trust in Christ leads to eternal life and true freedom ([John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - The Son Sets You Free")). He is the true "treasure" of infinite worth, in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures in Christ")). Thus, Jeremiah 48:7 ultimately points us to the glorious truth that only in Christ can we find true security, lasting peace, and a God who is not taken captive, but who reigns eternally.

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

Numbers 21:29

Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.

Jeremiah 49:3

Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, [and] his priests and his princes together.

Jeremiah 9:23

¶ Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might, let not the rich [man] glory in his riches:

Psalms 52:7

Lo, [this is] the man [that] made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, [and] strengthened himself in his wickedness.

Hosea 10:13

Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.

1 Timothy 6:17

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

Jeremiah 48:46

Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives.