Jeremiah 48:9

Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell therein.

Give {H5414} wings {H6731} unto Moab {H4124}, that it may flee {H5323} and get away {H3318}: for the cities {H5892} thereof shall be desolate {H8047}, without any to dwell {H3427} therein {H2004}.

Give Mo'av wings, so it can fly and get away. Its cities will become ruins, with no one to live in them.

Put salt on Moab, for she will be laid waste; her cities will become desolate, with no one to dwell in them.

Give wings unto Moab, that she may fly and get her away: and her cities shall become a desolation, without any to dwell therein.

Jeremiah 48:9 is a poignant and stark prophetic declaration concerning the impending judgment upon Moab, a nation historically antagonistic towards Israel. The verse employs vivid, almost ironic, imagery to convey the totality of the coming destruction.

Historical and Cultural Context

The Book of Jeremiah contains a series of prophecies against foreign nations, with chapter 48 specifically dedicated to Moab. Moab was a neighboring kingdom located east of the Dead Sea, descended from Lot (Genesis 19:37). Throughout their history, Moabites were often in conflict with Israel, known for their idolatry, particularly the worship of Chemosh, and their national pride. This prophecy comes during a time when the Babylonian Empire was a rising power, serving as God's instrument of judgment against various nations, including Moab. The desolation described here was a consequence of Moab's long-standing rebellion against God and its arrogance.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment: The verse vividly portrays the severity of God's judgment against Moab. It's not merely a defeat but a complete obliteration that leaves no inhabitants. This highlights God's justice extended to all nations, not just His covenant people.
  • Inevitability of Prophecy: The command "Give wings unto Moab" is a stark, almost sarcastic, illustration of the inescapable nature of God's decree. There is no actual escape; the destruction is so absolute that only a miraculous flight could save them.
  • Desolation and Ruin: The phrase "the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell therein" emphasizes the utter and complete ruin awaiting Moab. This speaks to the comprehensive nature of the judgment, leaving their once-proud urban centers abandoned.
  • Consequences of Pride and Idolatry: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of Jeremiah 48 reveals that Moab's pride (Jeremiah 48:29) and their trust in their false gods were primary reasons for this severe divine retribution.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Give wings unto Moab" uses the Hebrew word כָּנָף (kanaph), meaning "wing" or "extremity." Here, it dramatically underscores the desperate, yet futile, hope for escape from an overwhelming catastrophe. The word "desolate" comes from שַׁמָּה (shammah), conveying a sense of waste, ruin, and astonishment, emphasizing the shocking completeness of the destruction.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 48:9 serves as a timeless reminder of several profound truths:

  • God's Sovereignty: This prophecy demonstrates that God is sovereign over all nations and holds them accountable for their actions, pride, and idolatry. The passage underscores a recurring biblical theme: God's ultimate sovereignty and His righteous judgment over all nations, not just Israel.
  • Consequences of Sin: The desolation of Moab illustrates the dire consequences of persistent rebellion against God and reliance on false securities. There is no ultimate escape from divine justice.
  • Humility: It encourages humility, reminding us that pride and arrogance, whether individual or national, precede a fall. Trust in worldly power or false gods is ultimately futile.

This verse, while specific to ancient Moab, carries a universal message about the seriousness of sin and the certainty of God's judgment, offering a somber warning to all who oppose His will.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 16:2

    For it shall be, [that], as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, [so] the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.

  • Psalms 11:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David. In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee [as] a bird to your mountain?

  • Jeremiah 48:28

    O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock, and be like the dove [that] maketh her nest in the sides of the hole's mouth.

  • Zephaniah 2:9

    Therefore [as] I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, [even] the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.

  • Revelation 12:14

    And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

  • Jeremiah 46:19

    O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity: for Noph shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitant.

  • Psalms 55:6

    And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! [for then] would I fly away, and be at rest.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back