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Jeremiah 48:29

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We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart.

We have heard {H8085} the pride {H1347} of Moab {H4124},(he {H1931} is exceeding {H3966} proud {H1343}) his loftiness {H1363}, and his arrogancy {H1346}, and his pride {H1347}, and the haughtiness {H7312} of his heart {H3820}.

We have heard of the pride of Mo'av: so very proud he is! - presumptuous, proud, conceited; so haughty his heart!

We have heard of Moab’s pomposity, his exceeding pride and conceit, his proud arrogance and haughtiness of heart.

We have heard of the pride of Moab, that he is very proud; his loftiness, and his pride, and his arrogancy, and the haughtiness of his heart.

Commentary

Context of Jeremiah 48:29

Jeremiah 48 is a powerful prophetic oracle specifically directed against the nation of Moab. This chapter details God's impending judgment upon Moab, a neighboring people descended from Lot (see Genesis 19:37), who often stood in opposition to Israel. Historically, Moab was known for its wealth, fertile lands, and reliance on its god, Chemosh. Verse 29, in particular, highlights one of the primary reasons for God's severe judgment: Moab's overwhelming and pervasive pride, which permeated their national character and actions. The prophet Jeremiah echoes what God Himself observes about this ancient enemy.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Destructive Nature of Pride: The verse emphatically repeats various terms for pride ("pride," "loftiness," "arrogancy," "haughtiness"), underscoring its deep-rooted and pervasive nature within Moab. This repetition emphasizes how utterly consumed Moab was by its own self-exaltation, a common theme in biblical warnings against nations and individuals.
  • Divine Opposition to Arrogance: God consistently opposes the proud. Moab's downfall is directly linked to its elevated sense of self-importance and defiance, serving as a powerful illustration that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Their pride led them to believe they were invincible and independent of divine authority.
  • Inescapable Judgment: The prophecy against Moab demonstrates that no nation or individual, regardless of their perceived strength or security, can escape God's judgment when their heart is filled with such profound arrogance.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's repetition of "pride" and its synonyms in Jeremiah 48:29 is a deliberate and effective translation of the Hebrew text, which also uses multiple related terms to convey the intensity of Moab's arrogance. Words like ga'on (גָּאוֹן), ga'avah (גַּאֲוָה), and govah (גֹּבַהּ) are used, all conveying concepts of exaltation, majesty, and haughtiness. The cumulative effect is to paint a picture of a nation utterly puffed up with self-importance, a pride that was not merely superficial but deeply rooted in their "heart." This emphasizes that their pride was both internal attitude and external manifestation.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 48:29 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of pride, whether in individuals or nations. It encourages us to:

  • Examine Our Hearts: Reflect on areas where pride might subtly or overtly manifest in our lives, leading to self-reliance instead of reliance on God.
  • Cultivate Humility: Recognize that all true strength, blessing, and wisdom come from God. Humility is not weakness but an accurate assessment of our place before a holy God.
  • Understand God's Character: This verse reinforces God's consistent opposition to arrogance and His commitment to humbling those who exalt themselves, ultimately for their good or as a just consequence.
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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

  • Isaiah 16:6 (5 votes)

    ¶ We have heard of the pride of Moab; [he is] very proud: [even] of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: [but] his lies [shall] not [be] so.

  • Psalms 138:6 (3 votes)

    ¶ Though the LORD [be] high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

  • Proverbs 30:13 (2 votes)

    [There is] a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

  • Proverbs 18:12 (2 votes)

    ¶ Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [is] humility.

  • Job 40:10 (2 votes)

    Deck thyself now [with] majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.

  • Job 40:12 (2 votes)

    Look on every one [that is] proud, [and] bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.

  • Isaiah 2:11 (2 votes)

    The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.