Lexical Summary nis: Banner, Standard, Signal Original Word: נִיס Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fugitiveFrom nuwc; fugitive -- that fleeth. see HEBREW nuwc NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nus, q.v. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Nuance in Jeremiah 48:44 The term describes the act of fleeing for one’s life yet doing so under inescapable divine judgment. It is not ordinary flight but a frantic, desperate attempt to escape calamity that ultimately proves futile. Thus, the word carries an ironic overtone: the very effort to run becomes the mechanism by which judgment is sealed. Historical Context: Moab’s Doom and the Futility of Flight Jeremiah 48 records the prophetic indictment against Moab during the late seventh or early sixth century B.C. The nation had long trusted in its mountain strongholds, alliances, and wealth. When Babylonian power advanced, the Moabites assumed—like many surrounding peoples—that swift retreat to hidden valleys and caves would secure survival. The solitary use of the word underscores the Lord’s declaration that even the most calculated escape plans would fail. As Jeremiah 48:44 announces, “Whoever flees the terror will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs out of the pit will be caught in the snare.” The flight (נִיס) is doomed because it collides with the sovereignty of God. Theological Implications: Divine Judgment and the Illusion of Escape 1. Inevitability of Judgment. The verse reinforces the rule that when God appoints a “year of punishment” (Jeremiah 48:44), human effort cannot avert it (cf. Amos 9:1–4). Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Preaching: The verse confronts congregations with the peril of trusting in personal schemes rather than the Lord. Canonical Harmony: Flight from Judgment versus Refuge in God Old Testament narratives repeatedly contrast futile human flight with safe haven found in the Lord. Jonah fled but was overtaken (Jonah 1:3–4); David, pursued by Saul, found deliverance not in strategy alone but in covenant faithfulness (1 Samuel 23:14). Proverbs 18:10 declares, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe,” revealing the antithesis of נִיס: a flight that ends in security because its destination is God Himself. Connections with New Testament Revelation The New Testament echoes Jeremiah’s theme by revealing that ultimate escape from wrath is secured only in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 2:3 asks, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” Paul affirms that Christ “rescued us from the coming wrath” (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Where Moab’s frantic flight led into deeper peril, faith in Christ leads into everlasting refuge (John 10:28). Summary Though appearing only once, the word crystallizes a universal biblical truth: flight apart from God is futile, but flight to God is salvation. The ministry lesson is clear—urge sinners to cease their hopeless escape routes and run to the Savior whose arms are open. Forms and Transliterations הַנָּ֞ס הנס han·nās hanNas hannāsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Jeremiah 48:44 HEB: [הַנִּיס כ] (הַנָּ֞ס ק) מִפְּנֵ֤י INT: fugitive from the terror 1 Occurrence |
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