◄ Jeremiah 48:8 ►
The destroyer will move against every city, and not one town will escape. The valley will also be ruined, and the high plain will be destroyed, as the LORD has said.
Study Bible
The destroyer
The term "destroyer" in this context refers to the invading forces that God is using as an instrument of judgment against Moab. Historically, this could be linked to the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar, known for their military prowess and conquests. The Hebrew root word here is "שָׁדַד" (shadad), which means to devastate or lay waste. This highlights the severity of the judgment and the totality of the destruction that is to come upon Moab, emphasizing God's sovereign control over nations and His ability to use them to fulfill His purposes.

will move against every city
This phrase underscores the comprehensive nature of the impending judgment. The Hebrew word for "move" is "בּוֹא" (bo), which can mean to come or to enter. It suggests an unstoppable advance, indicating that no city will be spared from the coming devastation. This reflects the thoroughness of God's judgment and serves as a warning to all who oppose His will.

and not a single town will escape
The emphasis here is on the inevitability and inescapability of the judgment. The Hebrew word for "escape" is "מָלַט" (malat), meaning to slip away or be delivered. This phrase serves as a sobering reminder that when God decrees judgment, there is no refuge or safety outside of His mercy. It calls believers to seek refuge in God alone, who is the ultimate source of protection and deliverance.

the valley will also be ruined
The "valley" likely refers to the fertile and populated areas of Moab, which were crucial for agriculture and sustenance. The Hebrew word "עֵמֶק" (emeq) denotes a lowland or valley, often associated with prosperity and abundance. The ruin of the valley signifies the loss of economic stability and the collapse of what was once a source of pride and security for Moab. This serves as a metaphor for the futility of relying on material wealth and earthly resources instead of God.

and the plateau will be destroyed
The "plateau" refers to the elevated regions of Moab, known for their strategic military advantage and fortifications. The Hebrew word "מִישׁוֹר" (mishor) means a level place or plain. The destruction of the plateau indicates that even the most fortified and seemingly secure places are vulnerable to God's judgment. This illustrates the theme that human strength and defenses are insufficient against divine intervention.

as the LORD has said
This phrase affirms the certainty and authority of the prophecy. The use of "the LORD" (יהוה, Yahweh) emphasizes the covenantal name of God, highlighting His faithfulness and sovereignty. What God declares will come to pass, underscoring the reliability of His word. This serves as a reminder to trust in God's promises and heed His warnings, knowing that His plans are just and true.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the nations, including Moab.

2. Moab
An ancient nation located east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel. Known for its pride and idolatry.

3. The Destroyer
Represents the invading forces used by God as instruments of judgment against Moab.

4. The Valley and the Plateau
Geographical features of Moab, symbolizing the totality of the destruction that will come upon the land.

5. The LORD
The sovereign God who pronounces judgment and ensures its fulfillment.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Judgment
God is in control of nations and uses them to fulfill His purposes. His judgments are just and inevitable.

The Consequences of Pride
Moab's downfall is a direct result of its pride and self-reliance. Pride leads to destruction, and humility is essential before God.

The Certainty of God's Word
What God has spoken will come to pass. His promises and warnings are sure, and we must take them seriously.

The Call to Repentance
While judgment is pronounced, there is always an implicit call to repentance. Turning back to God can change outcomes.

The Comprehensive Nature of God's Judgment
No part of Moab was to be spared, illustrating that God's judgment is thorough and complete. We must ensure our lives are fully aligned with His will.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the prophecy against Moab in Jeremiah 48:8 reflect God's character and His approach to justice?

2. In what ways can pride manifest in our lives, and how can we guard against it in light of Moab's example?

3. How does the certainty of God's word in Jeremiah 48:8 encourage us to trust in His promises today?

4. What parallels can we draw between the judgment of Moab and the warnings given to other nations or individuals in the Bible?

5. How can we apply the lessons from Moab's destruction to our personal walk with God, especially in terms of repentance and humility?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 15-16
These chapters also prophesy the destruction of Moab, highlighting the consistency of God's message through different prophets.

Zephaniah 2:8-11
Speaks of God's judgment on Moab and Ammon for their pride and arrogance against His people.

Numbers 21:26-30
Provides historical context for Moab's conflicts with Israel, setting the stage for later judgments.

Revelation 18:8
Describes the sudden and complete destruction of Babylon, drawing a parallel to the comprehensive judgment on Moab.
Sermons
The Consequence of a Wrong ConfidenceD. Young
People
Chemosh, Gamul, Jeremiah, Sihon, Zoar
Places
Arnon, Aroer, Beth-diblathaim, Bethel, Beth-gamul, Beth-meon, Bozrah, Dibon, Elealeh, Heshbon, Holon, Horonaim, Jahaz, Jahzah, Jazer, Kerioth, Kir-hareseth, Kiriathaim, Luhith, Madmen, Mephaath, Moab, Nebo, Nimrim, Sea of Jazer, Sibmah, Zoar
Topics
Attacker, Destroyed, Destroyer, Destruction, Escape, Lowland, Perish, Perished, Plain, Plateau, Ruined, Safe, Spoiler, Spoken, Town, Valley, Waste, Waster
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 48:8-9

     4357   salt

Library
August 8. "Be Like the Dove" (Jer. Xlviii. 28).
"Be like the dove" (Jer. xlviii. 28). Harmless as a dove, is Christ's interpretation of the beautiful emblem. And so the Spirit of God is purity itself. He cannot dwell in an unclean heart. He cannot abide in the natural mind. It was said of the anointing of old, "On man's flesh it shall not be poured." The purity which the Holy Spirit brings is like the white and spotless little plant which grows up out of the heap of manure, or the black soil, without one grain of impurity adhering to its crystalline …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

How those are to be Admonished who Decline the Office of Preaching Out of Too Great Humility, and those who Seize on it with Precipitate Haste.
(Admonition 26.) Differently to be admonished are those who, though able to preach worthily, are afraid by reason of excessive humility, and those whom imperfection or age forbids to preach, and yet precipitancy impells. For those who, though able to preach with profit, still shrink back through excessive humility are to be admonished to gather from consideration of a lesser matter how faulty they are in a greater one. For, if they were to hide from their indigent neighbours money which they possessed …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Balaam's Prophecy. (Numb. xxiv. 17-19. )
Carried by the Spirit into the far distant future, Balaam sees here how a star goeth out of Jacob and a sceptre riseth out of Israel, and how this sceptre smiteth Moab, by whose enmity the Seer had been brought from a distant region for the destruction of Israel. And not Moab only shall be smitten, but its southern neighbour, Edom, too shall be subdued, whose hatred against Israel had already been prefigured in its ancestor, and had now begun to display Itself; and In general, all the enemies of …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Meditations for the Sick.
Whilst thy sickness remains, use often, for thy comfort, these few meditations, taken from the ends wherefore God sendeth afflictions to his children. Those are ten. 1. That by afflictions God may not only correct our sins past, but also work in us a deeper loathing of our natural corruptions, and so prevent us from falling into many other sins, which otherwise we would commit; like a good father, who suffers his tender babe to scorch his finger in a candle, that he may the rather learn to beware …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Jeremiah 48:8 NIV
Jeremiah 48:8 NLT
Jeremiah 48:8 ESV
Jeremiah 48:8 NASB
Jeremiah 48:8 KJV

Jeremiah 48:8 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Jeremiah 48:7
Top of Page
Top of Page