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Jeremiah 48:25

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The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.

The horn {H7161} of Moab {H4124} is cut off {H1438}, and his arm {H2220} is broken {H7665}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

"Mo'av's strength is cut down, his arm is broken," says ADONAI.

The horn of Moab has been cut off, and his arm is broken,” declares the LORD.

The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith Jehovah.

Commentary

Jeremiah 48:25 pronounces a powerful judgment against the ancient nation of Moab, declaring, "The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD." This verse vividly illustrates the complete dismantling of Moab's power and pride, a divine pronouncement from God Himself.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophetic oracle found in Jeremiah chapter 48, which is entirely dedicated to the impending judgment of Moab. Moab was a Transjordanian nation, east of the Dead Sea, historically related to Israel through Lot (Genesis 19:37). Despite this familial tie, Moab often acted as an adversary to Israel, known for its deep-seated pride, idolatry (worshipping Chemosh), and consistent opposition to God's people. Throughout this chapter, Jeremiah details the devastation that will befall Moab, turning its prosperous cities into ruins and its proud inhabitants into fugitives. This judgment is presented as a consequence of Moab's arrogance and defiance against the LORD.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse unequivocally states that Moab's downfall is orchestrated by the LORD, emphasizing God's sovereign authority over nations and His right to judge their wickedness and pride.
  • Humiliation of Pride: The "horn" and "arm" symbolize Moab's strength, military might, and especially its notorious pride. Their cutting off and breaking signify a total and humiliating loss of power, a direct response to their arrogance as highlighted in Jeremiah 48:29.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The phrase "saith the LORD" underscores the certainty and inevitability of this prophecy. What God declares will come to pass, demonstrating the reliability of His word.
  • God's Sovereignty: This judgment illustrates God's ultimate control over the rise and fall of kingdoms, ensuring that no nation, no matter how strong or proud, can ultimately defy His will.

Linguistic Insights

The imagery in this verse is highly symbolic and potent:

  • "Horn" (Hebrew: qeren - קֶרֶן): In biblical literature, the horn is a powerful metaphor for strength, power, dignity, and often, pride or arrogance. Animals use their horns for defense and dominance. To have one's horn "cut off" means a complete loss of power, authority, and dignity, often signifying utter humiliation and defeat. This imagery is also used in Psalm 75:10 regarding the wicked.
  • "Arm" (Hebrew: zeroa' - זְרוֹעַ): The arm represents strength, military might, and the ability to act or exert power. To have one's arm "broken" signifies the shattering of military capability, the inability to defend oneself, or to execute plans. It implies total incapacitation and helplessness. This concept is mirrored in Psalm 10:15, where God breaks the arm of the wicked.

Together, these metaphors paint a picture of Moab being utterly disarmed and stripped of all its former glory and power by divine intervention.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 48:25 offers enduring lessons for individuals and nations today:

  • Warning Against Pride: The fate of Moab serves as a stern warning against arrogance and self-reliance. God consistently opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). True strength lies in humility and dependence on God, not in human might or earthly possessions.
  • Accountability to God: This verse reminds us that all nations and individuals are ultimately accountable to the Creator. God judges sin, particularly pride and defiance against His will.
  • Trust in God's Power: The breaking of Moab's power demonstrates that no human strength, military might, or political influence can stand against the purposes of the LORD. Our trust should be placed in God's unfailing power and promises.
  • The Certainty of God's Word: The declaration "saith the LORD" reinforces the truth that God's prophecies are sure to be fulfilled. This provides assurance and comfort to those who trust in His word, knowing that His plans will always prevail.

Ultimately, Jeremiah 48:25 is a testament to God's justice and His unwavering sovereignty over all of creation.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 75:10 (5 votes)

    All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; [but] the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

  • Psalms 10:15 (4 votes)

    Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil [man]: seek out his wickedness [till] thou find none.

  • Job 22:9 (3 votes)

    Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.

  • Zechariah 1:19 (3 votes)

    And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What [be] these? And he answered me, These [are] the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.

  • Zechariah 1:21 (3 votes)

    Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These [are] the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up [their] horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.

  • Daniel 8:7 (2 votes)

    And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.

  • Daniel 8:9 (2 votes)

    And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant [land].