Jeremiah 48:4

Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.

Moab {H4124} is destroyed {H7665}; her little ones {H6810} have caused a cry {H2201} to be heard {H8085}.

Mo'av has been shattered; the cries of her young ones are heard,

Moab will be shattered; her little ones will cry out.

Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.

Commentary

Commentary on Jeremiah 48:4 (KJV)

The prophet Jeremiah delivers a powerful and somber message of judgment against Moab in Chapter 48. Verse 4, "Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard," encapsulates the utter devastation and widespread suffering that would befall this ancient nation.

Historical and Cultural Context

Moab was a nation located east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with ancient Israel. Their history is intertwined with Israel's, from Lot's descendants (Genesis 19) to their involvement in Balaam's curse (Numbers 22-24) and their recurring hostilities (Judges 3, 2 Kings 3). Jeremiah's prophecy against Moab is part of a larger series of oracles against surrounding nations, demonstrating God's sovereignty over all peoples. Moab was known for its pride, its reliance on its wealth and fortifications, and its devotion to the idol Chemosh. The impending destruction described here was a divine consequence for their arrogance and opposition to God's people.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment: This verse highlights God's righteous judgment against nations that oppose Him and indulge in pride and idolatry. Moab's destruction is a clear example of God's justice in action, demonstrating that no nation is above His divine reckoning.
  • Total Desolation: The phrase "Moab is destroyed" signifies complete ruin. The addition "her little ones have caused a cry to be heard" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this devastation, affecting even the most vulnerable and innocent. It paints a picture of widespread anguish and lamentation throughout the land.
  • Consequences of Sin: Moab's downfall serves as a stark reminder that national pride, idolatry, and defiance against God ultimately lead to ruin. Their reliance on human strength rather than divine grace proved futile.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "destroyed" is shaddad, which conveys a sense of violent devastation, plundering, or laying waste. It suggests a thorough and brutal conquest. The "cry" (Hebrew: za'aq) is a strong, urgent cry of distress, anguish, or alarm—the sound of people in deep suffering and despair. The "little ones" (Hebrew: ze'iriym) refers to the young, the small, or the insignificant, underscoring that the calamity spared no one, affecting all segments of Moabite society.

Related Scriptures

This prophecy against Moab aligns with similar judgments found in other prophetic books, such as Isaiah 15-16 and Amos 2:1-3. The theme of God's universal judgment against nations for their wickedness is a recurring one in Jeremiah, notably seen in the "cup of wrath" prophecy in Jeremiah 25:15-38. The suffering of the vulnerable during times of judgment is also echoed in the laments over Jerusalem's destruction in Lamentations 2:11-12.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 48:4 serves as a timeless reminder that God is sovereign over all nations and holds them accountable for their actions. It underscores the destructive consequences of pride, idolatry, and rebellion against divine truth. For individuals, this verse encourages humility and a recognition that true security comes not from worldly power or possessions, but from a right relationship with God. It also calls us to lament over the suffering caused by sin and to seek God's mercy and justice in the world.

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Cross-References

  • Numbers 21:27 (2 votes)

    Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared:

  • Numbers 21:30 (2 votes)

    We have shot at them; Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon, and we have laid them waste even unto Nophah, which [reacheth] unto Medeba.

  • Psalms 137:9 (2 votes)

    Happy [shall he be], that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

  • Esther 8:11 (2 votes)

    Wherein the king granted the Jews which [were] in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, [both] little ones and women, and [to take] the spoil of them for a prey,