Jeremiah 48:4

Jeremiah 48:4

ESV: Moab is destroyed; her little ones have made a cry.

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

NIV: Moab will be broken; her little ones will cry out.

NKJV: "Moab is destroyed; Her little ones have caused a cry to be heard;

NLT: All Moab is destroyed.
Her little ones will cry out.

Meaning

Jeremiah 48:4 proclaims the utter destruction of Moab, emphasizing the profound suffering that engulfs the nation. The phrase signifies that Moab is not merely defeated, but entirely broken and devastated. The poignant image of "her little ones have cried out" highlights the extent of this judgment, illustrating that even the most vulnerable and innocent members of society are swept into the anguish, reflecting widespread terror, sorrow, and loss for the entire populace, indicating a complete end to the nation's future.

Cross References

Context

Jeremiah chapter 48 is a prophetic oracle specifically directed against the nation of Moab. It serves as a lament or funeral dirge, describing in vivid detail the impending destruction and desolation that will befall Moab, largely attributed to the Babylonian invasion under Nebuchadnezzar. The chapter outlines various cities of Moab, each destined for ruin, depicting scenes of mourning, terror, and despair. This prophecy against Moab fits into the larger section of Jeremiah's oracles concerning foreign nations (chapters 46-51), where God asserts His sovereignty over all kingdoms, delivering judgment on those who have historically opposed Him and His people, and who are characterized by pride, idolatry (worship of Chemosh), and a false sense of security in their wealth and defenses. Jeremiah 48:4 is an early verse within this extended dirge, setting a tone of immediate and pervasive devastation for Moab.

Word analysis

• Moab:
  • Original: Mô'âḇ (מוֹאָב) - meaning "from father."
  • Significance: Descendants of Lot through his elder daughter (Gen 19:37), consistently an enemy of Israel, renowned for their pride, prosperity, and worship of the idol Chemosh. Their destruction here underscores divine judgment against nations defying God and oppressing His people.
• is destroyed:
  • Original: nishbera (נִשְׁבְּרָה) - "is broken," "shattered," "smashed," "crushed." A passive, feminine singular perfect form of shavar.
  • Significance: Implies complete and irreversible breaking, far beyond mere defeat. It conveys utter ruin and dissolution. The passive voice suggests that this destruction is not merely by human hands but orchestrated by a greater power (God). It indicates an internal collapse as much as an external conquest.
• her little ones:
  • Original: qĕṭannêhā (קְטַנֶּיהָ) - "her small ones," "her children," "her infants." The plural construct form with a third feminine singular suffix ("her").
  • Significance: Refers to the most vulnerable members of Moabite society. Their inclusion underscores the comprehensive nature of the judgment – no one is spared. It highlights the horrific human cost of war and divine judgment, appealing to pathos and demonstrating the national future being cut off.
• have cried out:
  • Implied from the Hebrew za‘aqah (זְעָקָה) - "cry," "outcry," "scream," "wail." This word (in other translations appearing as "make a cry heard") is a common Hebrew term for an outcry of distress, pain, or lament.
  • Significance: Suggests widespread, desperate wailing due to fear, agony, and impending death. This is not a casual lament but a profound, uncontained expression of terror from those incapable of defending themselves. It fills the air, echoing the total despair of the doomed nation.

Words-group analysis:

• "Moab is destroyed": This phrase functions as a stark declaration of judgment, marking the end of a long-standing national entity. It represents the fulfillment of divine decree against Moab's consistent opposition to God's will and people.
• "her little ones have cried out": This powerful and heartbreaking imagery immediately follows the declaration of destruction. It vividly illustrates the horrific consequences, moving the abstract concept of national destruction into the visceral reality of human suffering. It emphasizes the complete desolation that leaves no generation untouched, cutting off Moab's future and making the judgment total. The sound of these cries is meant to be deeply unsettling, conveying a scene of absolute chaos and pain.

Commentary

Jeremiah 48:4 encapsulates the severe and all-encompassing nature of divine judgment awaiting Moab. The declaration "Moab is destroyed" leaves no room for ambiguity regarding the nation's fate, portraying a complete shattering rather than a mere setback. This destruction is God's response to Moab's ingrained pride, idolatry towards Chemosh, and persistent animosity towards Israel, culminating in their ultimate downfall. The subsequent description, "her little ones have cried out," serves as a stark and distressing illustration of this judgment's far-reaching impact. It points to the most defenseless members of society being overwhelmed by terror and agony, emphasizing the comprehensive scope of the desolation. This is not just a military defeat but a societal catastrophe, where the screams of children signify the utter collapse of communal life, the end of national legacy, and the depth of the suffering, resounding as a profound lament over a kingdom whose arrogance led to its tragic end.

Bonus section

• The qînah or lamentation style in which this oracle is presented (with specific city names listed, leading into sorrowful descriptions) emphasizes the prophetic utterance as a solemn funeral dirge for a nation still in existence. This highlights the certainty of its future downfall as if it has already occurred.
• The suffering of "little ones" here parallels other prophetic judgments where the innocent also bear the brunt of national sin and warfare, acting as a testament to the comprehensive and devastating nature of such divine intervention against persistent wickedness (cf. Babylon, Nineveh).
• Moab's downfall demonstrates the futility of national pride and trust in false gods like Chemosh (Jer 48:7, 13, 29-30). Their reliance on their own "works and treasures" proves entirely ineffectual against the Lord's decreed judgment.

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