Jeremiah 48:8

Translation
King James Version
And the spoiler shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape: the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed, as the LORD hath spoken.
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KJV (with Strong's)
And the spoiler H7703 shall come H935 upon every city H5892, and no city H5892 shall escape H4422: the valley H6010 also shall perish H6, and the plain H4334 shall be destroyed H8045, as the LORD H3068 hath spoken H559.
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Complete Jewish Bible
A destroyer will descend on every city, no city will escape. The valley too will perish, the plain will be laid waste, as ADONAI as said.
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Berean Standard Bible
The destroyer will move against every city, and not one town will escape. The valley will also be ruined, and the high plain will be destroyed, as the LORD has said.
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American Standard Version
And the destroyer shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape; the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed; as Jehovah hath spoken.
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World English Bible Messianic
The destroyer shall come on every city, and no city shall escape; the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed; as the LORD has spoken.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
And the destroyer shall come vpon all cities, and no citie shall escape: the valley also shall perish and the plaine shalbe destroyed as the Lord hath spoken.
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Young's Literal Translation
And come in doth a spoiler unto every city, And no city doth escape, And perished hath the valley, And destroyed been the plain, as Jehovah said.
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See also
Jeremiah 6:26Joshua 13:21Joshua 13:9Joshua 13:17Jeremiah 25:9Ezekiel 25:9Jeremiah 48:18
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Prophecy Against Moab
Prophecy Against Moab View full PDF

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In the KJVVerse 20,089 of 31,102

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SUMMARY

Jeremiah 48:8 delivers a stark prophetic declaration of God's comprehensive and inescapable judgment upon Moab, foretelling that an invading "spoiler" will utterly devastate every city, valley, and plain. This divine pronouncement underscores the absolute nature of God's retribution against a nation characterized by profound pride and persistent idolatry, emphatically stating that no part of their territory or society would be spared, all unfolding precisely "as the LORD hath spoken."

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Jeremiah 48 is a meticulously detailed oracle of judgment directed specifically against Moab, forming part of a larger collection of "oracles against the nations" found in Jeremiah 46-51. Within this chapter, the prophet Jeremiah systematically outlines the impending destruction of Moab, starkly contrasting their deeply entrenched pride and deceptive self-sufficiency with the unchallengeable sovereignty and power of God. The verses immediately preceding verse 8 (Jeremiah 48:1-7) introduce the lament over Moab's downfall, describing the shame and ruin of their prominent cities and the humiliation of their national idol, Chemosh. Verse 8 deepens this grim picture, moving beyond specific urban centers to a sweeping declaration of total ruin that encompasses all geographical features—cities, valleys, and plains—thereby reinforcing the absolute and comprehensive nature of the decreed judgment. It serves as a climactic statement of the inescapable devastation, laying the groundwork for further laments and detailed descriptions of Moab's ultimate humiliation.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: Moab was an ancient nation situated to the east of the Dead Sea, tracing its lineage back to Lot, Abraham's nephew (Genesis 19:37). Throughout much of Israel's history, Moab frequently acted as an adversary, noted for its pervasive pride (Jeremiah 48:29), its deep-seated idolatry (particularly the worship of the abhorrent deity Chemosh, as referenced in Numbers 21:29), and its occasional oppression of the Israelites. The fertile plains and valleys of Moab contributed significantly to their prosperity, which in turn fostered a strong sense of self-reliance and arrogance, leading them to believe they were impregnable. The "spoiler" mentioned in the prophecy is widely understood by scholars to refer to the formidable Babylonian army under King Nebuchadnezzar, who served as God's divinely appointed instrument of judgment against various defiant nations in the tumultuous late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE. This prophecy, delivered by Jeremiah, was set against a backdrop of intense geopolitical upheaval, where the ascendance of Babylon signaled a dramatic shift in regional power and the impending judgment of God upon nations, including Judah and its neighbors.
  • Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prominent within the book of Jeremiah and the broader corpus of prophetic literature. Firstly, it emphatically underscores the theme of Divine Judgment and Sovereignty, demonstrating unequivocally that God is not merely the covenant God of Israel but the supreme and sovereign ruler over all nations, holding them strictly accountable for their actions, especially their pride, idolatry, and rebellion. Secondly, it highlights the Inescapable Consequences of Rebellion, illustrating with stark clarity that persistent and unrepentant sin against God's moral order inevitably leads to severe and comprehensive retribution, leaving no place of refuge or escape. The universality of the destruction—encompassing "every city," "valley," and "plain"—underscores this inescapable reality. Thirdly, the verse reinforces the Reliability and Certainty of God's Word, as the concluding phrase "as the LORD hath spoken" serves as a powerful affirmation that divine prophecies are not mere speculative predictions but authoritative declarations that will unfailingly come to pass. This showcases God's absolute faithfulness to His word, whether it issues a warning of impending judgment or a promise of future blessing, resonating with the assurance found in Isaiah 55:11.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Spoiler (Hebrew, shâdad', H7703): Meaning "to be burly," "powerful," but by implication, "to ravage," "destroy," "oppress," or "spoil." In this context, it refers to a destructive invading force, a "destroyer" or "plunderer" that will violently lay waste to Moab. The active participle emphasizes the relentless, aggressive, and utterly devastating nature of this agent of divine destruction.
  • Escape (Hebrew, mâlaṭ', H4422): Meaning "to be smooth," and by implication, "to escape" (as if by slipperiness), "to release," or "rescue." The phrase "no city shall escape" signifies the utter impossibility of evasion or deliverance from the impending judgment. It conveys a profound sense of being trapped with no viable way out, emphasizing the comprehensive and unavoidable nature of the divine decree.
  • LORD (Hebrew, Yᵉhôvâh', H3068): Referring to the self-Existent or Eternal One, Jehovah, the Jewish national name of God. The deliberate use of this sacred covenant name here underscores that the judgment is not random, arbitrary, or merely a consequence of geopolitical forces, but is meticulously orchestrated and executed by the covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is also the sovereign ruler over all nations. His immutable divine character guarantees the certainty, righteousness, and ultimate fulfillment of the spoken judgment.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And the spoiler shall come upon every city": This opening clause introduces the primary agent of destruction—a "spoiler" or destroyer, most likely the formidable Babylonian army—and immediately establishes the universal reach of its destructive campaign. The phrase "every city" signifies that no urban center within Moab, regardless of its fortifications, strategic importance, or prosperity, will be exempt from the impending, sweeping devastation.
  • "and no city shall escape": This phrase serves to intensify the preceding declaration, powerfully emphasizing the absolute lack of refuge or possibility of evasion. It highlights the utter futility of any attempt at resistance, flight, or self-preservation, asserting with certainty that the judgment will be inescapable and total for all of Moab's urban populations.
  • "the valley also shall perish": The scope of destruction dramatically expands beyond the urban centers to encompass the natural landscape, specifically including the "valley" (Hebrew, ʻêmeq'). This refers to the fertile lowlands and broad depressions, which were crucial for Moab's agricultural productivity and sustenance. This indicates that even the vital, productive areas of Moab, essential for its economic and social fabric, will be utterly destroyed and rendered desolate.
  • "and the plain shall be destroyed": Complementing the previous clause, "the plain" (Hebrew, mîyshôwr') refers to the level, often elevated, and highly cultivated regions of Moab. This synonymous parallelism powerfully underscores the comprehensive nature of the judgment, demonstrating that it will affect both the low-lying and higher, fertile areas, ensuring that no part of the land's territory will remain untouched. The word "destroyed" (Hebrew, shâmad') implies a desolation so profound that it brings to nought, utterly annihilating what was.
  • "as the LORD hath spoken": This concluding phrase functions as the ultimate validation, authoritative explanation, and divine guarantee for the entire prophecy. It unequivocally declares that the impending, widespread destruction is not a random, unforeseen calamity, but the direct, certain, and unfailing fulfillment of God's authoritative, spoken word. It serves to underscore God's absolute sovereignty over history, human events, and the destiny of nations, affirming the unimpeachable reliability of His divine declarations.

Literary Devices

Jeremiah 48:8 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey the overwhelming severity and unwavering certainty of Moab's impending judgment. Hyperbole is strikingly evident in the phrases "every city" and "no city shall escape," which, while perhaps not implying the literal destruction of every single dwelling, powerfully communicates the overwhelming, comprehensive, and inescapable nature of the devastation, leaving virtually no place of safety or refuge. Parallelism is utilized with great effect in the clause "the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed." This synonymous parallelism reinforces the idea of total destruction, extending the judgment from urban centers to the entire geographical landscape of Moab, emphasizing that no part of its territory, whether low-lying or elevated, would be spared. The "spoiler" functions as a form of Metonymy, where the abstract concept of destruction or the destructive force itself is powerfully represented by the concrete agent carrying it out (the invading army). Finally, the concluding phrase "as the LORD hath spoken" acts as a profound Divine Fiat, asserting God's absolute authority, unwavering faithfulness, and the immutable certainty of His prophetic word, serving as the ultimate guarantor of the prophecy's inevitable fulfillment.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Jeremiah 48:8 stands as a profound testament to the unyielding justice and absolute sovereignty of God over all nations and human endeavors. It unequivocally reveals that national pride, pervasive idolatry, and persistent hostility towards God's chosen people do not go unpunished. The comprehensive and inescapable nature of Moab's destruction underscores the terrifying severity of divine judgment when a nation defiantly and persistently rebels against the Creator's moral order. This judgment is not arbitrary or capricious but is the direct, righteous consequence of God's spoken word, powerfully affirming His faithfulness and integrity to His declarations, whether they promise blessing or warn of curse. It serves as a stark and timeless reminder that all earthly powers and perceived strengths are ultimately accountable to the Most High, and their self-reliance and arrogance are utterly futile before His omnipotence.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Jeremiah 48:8 offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers and societies. Firstly, it calls us to a sober and reverent recognition of God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, human history, and individual lives. No power, no matter how formidable, self-assured, or seemingly impregnable, stands outside His ultimate authority and scrutiny. This truth should instill in us both profound reverence for His unblemished justice and unwavering confidence in His ultimate control: reverence for the holiness that demands accountability, and confidence that His righteous purposes will unfailingly prevail. Secondly, the prophecy against Moab's pervasive pride and misguided self-sufficiency serves as a potent and timeless warning against these very sins in our own lives, communities, and national policies. When we or our societies rely solely on our own strength, accumulate wealth as our ultimate security, or trust in human wisdom rather than on God's divine guidance and provision, we inevitably set ourselves up for a profound and painful fall. The certainty that "no city shall escape" reminds us that there is no hiding place from God's righteous scrutiny and judgment. This inescapable reality should lead us to cultivate deep humility, genuine repentance, and a profound, unwavering trust in God's word, which is always true and unfailing, whether it promises blessing or warns of judgment. It compels us to diligently examine our own hearts and the foundational values of our societies, ensuring that our security and hope are built not on fleeting earthly securities, but on the enduring and immutable truth of God.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does the certainty of God's judgment on Moab challenge our own complacency regarding sin, both personally and within our societies?
  • In what specific ways might we, like ancient Moab, be prone to the sins of pride or self-reliance, and what practical steps can we take to cultivate genuine humility before God?
  • What profound comfort or solemn warning do you draw from the concluding phrase "as the LORD hath spoken" regarding the unfailing and authoritative nature of God's word in your life?

FAQ

Who is the "spoiler" mentioned in this verse?

Answer: The "spoiler" is widely understood by biblical scholars to refer to the powerful Babylonian army, led by King Nebuchadnezzar. Throughout the Old Testament, God frequently used formidable empires, such as Babylon, as instruments of His divine judgment against nations that had defied Him, including Moab, as extensively detailed throughout Jeremiah 48.

Why was Moab singled out for such severe judgment by God?

Answer: Moab was singled out for severe judgment for several deeply rooted reasons, primarily their persistent and arrogant pride (Jeremiah 48:29), their pervasive idolatry (especially the worship of the detestable god Chemosh), their misplaced self-sufficiency and trust in their own material wealth and perceived strength rather than in God, and their long history of hostility and contempt towards God's chosen people, Israel. Their prolonged prosperity had tragically led them to forget God and elevate themselves in defiance of His sovereignty.

Does this prophecy imply that God is arbitrary or cruel in His judgments?

Answer: No, this prophecy does not imply that God is arbitrary or cruel. Instead, it serves as a powerful demonstration of His perfect justice, unwavering holiness, and moral rectitude. God's judgments are never random acts of cruelty; they are always righteous and measured responses to sustained rebellion, unrepentant sin, and defiant rejection of His moral law. The severity of the judgment pronounced upon Moab reflects the profound depth and long-standing nature of their sin, serving as a solemn warning to all nations and individuals that God holds all accountable for their actions. It underscores His absolute sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to upholding righteousness and justice in the world.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Jeremiah 48:8 speaks of a temporal, earthly judgment executed upon the nation of Moab, its profound theological truths find their ultimate and most significant Christ-centered fulfillment. The "spoiler" that comes upon every city, valley, and plain powerfully foreshadows the universal dominion of sin and death, a pervasive enemy that spares no one and from which no earthly power or human effort can "escape." Yet, in Jesus Christ, we witness the ultimate "spoiler" of sin and death decisively defeated. He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), and through His victorious death and glorious resurrection, He "disarmed the powers and authorities" (Colossians 2:15), triumphing over the spiritual forces that once held humanity captive in their grip. The inescapable judgment pronounced on Moab points to the equally inescapable spiritual judgment that awaits all who reject God's gracious offer of salvation, yet Christ bore that very judgment on the cross, offering a glorious escape from eternal condemnation for all who believe in Him (Romans 8:1-2). Furthermore, the solemn phrase "as the LORD hath spoken" finds its most profound and resounding echo in the perfect fulfillment of all God's promises and prophecies in Jesus Christ, who is Himself the Living Word (John 1:1). All divine declarations, whether of judgment or of salvation, find their emphatic "Yes" and "Amen" in Him (2 Corinthians 1:20). The temporal destruction of earthly kingdoms like Moab ultimately serves to point forward to the establishment of an eternal, unshakable kingdom through Christ, a kingdom that "cannot be shaken" and will endure forever (Hebrews 12:28).

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Commentary on Jeremiah 48 verses 1–13

We may observe in these verses,

I. The author of Moab's destruction; it is the Lord of hosts, that has armies, all armies, at his command, and the God of Israel (Jer 48:1), who will herein plead the cause of his Israel against a people that have always been vexatious to them, and will punish them now for the injuries done to Israel of old, though Israel was forbidden to meddle with them (Deu 2:9), therefore the destruction of Moab is called the work of the Lord (Jer 48:10), for it is he that pleads for Israel; and his work will exactly agree with his word, Jer 48:8.

II. The instruments of it: Spoilers shall come (Jer 48:8), shall come with a sword, a sword that shall pursue them, Jer 48:2. "I will send unto him wanderers, such as come from afar, as if they were vagrants, or had missed their way, but they shall cause him to wander; they seem as wanderers themselves, but they shall make the Moabites to be really wanderers, some to flee and others to be carried into captivity." These destroyers stir up themselves to do execution; they have devised evil against Heshbon, one of the principal cities of Moab, and they aim at no less than the ruin of the kingdom: Come, and let us cut it off from being a nation (Jer 48:2); nothing less will serve the turn of the invaders; they come, not to plunder it, but to ruin it. The prophet, in God's name, engages them to make thorough work of it (Jer 48:10): Cursed be he that does the work of the Lord deceitfully, this bloody work, this destroying work; though it goes against the grain with men of compassion, yet it is the work of the Lord, and must not be done by the halves. The Chaldeans have it in charge, by a secret instinct (says Mr. Gataker), to destroy the Moabites, and therefore they must not spare, must not, out of foolish pity, keep back their sword from blood; they would thereby bring a sword, and a curse with it, upon themselves, as Saul did by sparing the Amalekites and Ahab by letting Benhadad go. Thy life shall go for his life. To this work is applied that general rule given to all that are employed in any service for God, Cursed by he that does the work of the Lord deceitfully or negligently, that pretends to do it, but does it not to purpose, makes a show of serving God's glory, but is really serving his own ends and carries on the work of the Lord no further than will suit his own purposes, or that is slothful in business for God and takes neither care nor pains to do it as it should be done, Mal 1:14. Let not such deceive themselves, for God will not thus be mocked.

III. The woeful instances and effects of this destruction. The cities shall be laid in ruins; they shall be spoiled (Jer 48:1) and cut down (Jer 48:2); they shall be desolate (Jer 48:9), without any to dwell therein; there shall be no houses to dwell in, or no people to dwell in them, or no safety and ease to those that would dwell in them. Every city shall be spoiled and no city shall escape. The strongest city shall not be able to secure itself against the enemies' power, nor shall the finest city be able to recommend itself to the enemies' pity and favour. The country also shall be wasted, the valley shall perish, and the plain be destroyed, Jer 48:8. The corn and the flocks, which used to cover the plains and make the valleys rejoice, shall all be destroyed, eaten up, trodden down, or carried off. The most sacred persons shall not escape: The priests and princes shall go together into captivity. Nay, Chemosh, the god they worship, who, they hope, will protect them, shall share with them in the ruin; his temples shall be laid in ashes and his image carried away with the rest of the spoil. Now the consequence of all this will be, 1. Great shame and confusion: Kirjathaim is confounded, and Misgah is so. They shall be ashamed of the mighty boasts they have sometimes made of their cities: There shall be no more vaunting in Moab concerning Heshbon (so it might be read, Jer 48:2); they shall no more boast of the strength of that city when the evil which is designed against it is brought upon it. Nor shall they any more boast of their gods (Jer 48:13); they shall be ashamed of Chemosh (ashamed of all the prayers they have made to and all the confidence they put in that dunghill deity), as Israel was ashamed of Beth-el, of the golden calf they had at Beth-el, which they confided in as their protector, but were deceived in, for it was not able to save them from the Assyrians; nor shall Chemosh be able to save the Moabites from the Chaldeans. Note, Those that will not be convinced and made ashamed of the folly of their idolatry by the word of God shall be convinced and made ashamed of it by the judgments of God, when they shall find by woeful experience the utter inability of the gods they have served to do them any service. 2. There will be great sorrow; there is a voice of crying heard (Jer 48:3) and the cry is nothing but spoiling and great destruction. Alas! alas! Moab is destroyed, Jer 48:4. The great ones having quitted the cities to shift for their own safety, even the little ones have caused a cry to be heard, the meaner sort of people, or the little children, the innocent harmless ones, whose cries at such a time are the most piteous. Go up to the hills, go down to the valleys, and you meet with continual weeping (weeping with weeping); all are in tears; you meet none with dry eyes. Even the enemies have heard the cry, from whom it would have been policy to conceal it, for they will be animated and encouraged by it; but it is so great that it cannot be hid, 3. There will be great hurry; they will cry to one another, "Away, away! flee; save your lives (Jer 48:6); shift for your own safety with all imaginable speed, though you escape as bare and naked as the heath, or grig, or dry shrub, in the wilderness; think not of carrying away any thing you have, for it may cost you your life to attempt it, Mat 24:16-18. Take shelter, though it be in a barren wilderness, that you may have your lives for a prey. The danger will come suddenly and swiftly; and therefore give wings unto Moab (Jer 48:9); that would be the greatest kindness you could do them; that is what they will call for, O that we had wings like a dove! for unless they have wings, and can fly, there will be no escaping."

IV. The sins for which God will now reckon with Moab, and which justify God in these severe proceedings against them. 1. It is because they have been secure, and have trusted in their wealth and strength, in their works and in their treasures, Jer 48:7. They had taken a great deal of pains to fortify their cities and make large works about them, and to fill their exchequer and private coffers, so that they thought themselves in as good a posture for war as any people could be and that none durst invade them, and therefore set danger at defiance. They trusted in the abundance of their riches and strengthened themselves in their wickedness, Psa 52:7. Now, for this reason, that they may have a sensible conviction of the vanity and folly of their carnal confidences, God will send an enemy that will master their works and rifle their treasures. Note, We forfeit the comfort of that creature which we repose that confidence in which should be reposed in God only. The reed will break that is leaned upon. 2. It is because they have not made a right improvement of the days of the peace and prosperity, Jer 48:11. (1.) They had been long undisturbed: Moab has been at ease from his youth. It was an ancient kingdom before Israel was, and had enjoyed great tranquillity, though a small country and surrounded with potent neighbours. God's Israel were afflicted from their youth (Psa 129:1, Psa 129:2), but Moab at ease from his youth. He has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, has not known any troublesome weakening changes, but is as wine kept on the lees, and not racked or drawn off, by which it retains its strength and body. He has not been unsettled, nor any way made uneasy; he has not gone into captivity, as Israel have often done, and yet Moab is a wicked idolatrous nation, and one of the confederates against God's hidden ones, Psa 83:3, Psa 83:6. Note, There are many that persist in unrepented iniquity and yet enjoy uninterrupted prosperity. (2.) They had been as long corrupt and unreformed: He has settled on his lees; he has been secure and sensual in his prosperity, has rested in it, and fetched all the strength and life of the soul from it, as the wine from the lees. His taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed; he is still the same, as bad as ever he was. Note, While bad people are as happy as they used to be in the world it is no marvel if they are bad as they used to be. They have no changes of their peace and prosperity, therefore fear not God, their hearts and lives are unchanged, Psa 55:19.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–13. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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