Jeremiah 48:12

Authorized King James Version

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Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will send unto him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander, and shall empty his vessels, and break their bottles.

Original Language Analysis

לָכֵ֞ן H3651
לָכֵ֞ן
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 1 of 14
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
הִנֵּֽה H2009
הִנֵּֽה
Strong's: H2009
Word #: 2 of 14
lo!
יָמִ֤ים Therefore behold the days H3117
יָמִ֤ים Therefore behold the days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 3 of 14
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
בָּאִים֙ come H935
בָּאִים֙ come
Strong's: H935
Word #: 4 of 14
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
נְאֻם saith H5002
נְאֻם saith
Strong's: H5002
Word #: 5 of 14
an oracle
יְהוָ֔ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 6 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְשִׁלַּחְתִּי that I will send H7971
וְשִׁלַּחְתִּי that I will send
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 7 of 14
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
ל֥וֹ H0
ל֥וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 8 of 14
וְצֵעֻ֑הוּ that shall cause him to wander H6808
וְצֵעֻ֑הוּ that shall cause him to wander
Strong's: H6808
Word #: 9 of 14
to tip over (for the purpose of spilling or pouring out), i.e., (figuratively) depopulate; by implication, to imprison or conquer; (reflexive) to lie
וְצֵעֻ֑הוּ that shall cause him to wander H6808
וְצֵעֻ֑הוּ that shall cause him to wander
Strong's: H6808
Word #: 10 of 14
to tip over (for the purpose of spilling or pouring out), i.e., (figuratively) depopulate; by implication, to imprison or conquer; (reflexive) to lie
וְכֵלָ֣יו his vessels H3627
וְכֵלָ֣יו his vessels
Strong's: H3627
Word #: 11 of 14
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
יָרִ֔יקוּ and shall empty H7324
יָרִ֔יקוּ and shall empty
Strong's: H7324
Word #: 12 of 14
to pour out (literally or figuratively), i.e., empty
וְנִבְלֵיהֶ֖ם their bottles H5035
וְנִבְלֵיהֶ֖ם their bottles
Strong's: H5035
Word #: 13 of 14
a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); also a lyre (as having a body of like form)
יְנַפֵּֽצוּ׃ and break H5310
יְנַפֵּֽצוּ׃ and break
Strong's: H5310
Word #: 14 of 14
to dash to pieces, or scatter

Analysis & Commentary

I will send unto him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander (שָׁלַחְתִּי־לוֹ צֹעִים וְצֵעֻהוּ)—The Hebrew tso'im (wanderers/tilters) uses wine-making imagery: invaders will 'tilt' Moab like workers pouring wine from jar to jar, empty his vessels, and break their bottles (נִבְלֵיהֶם יְנַפֵּצוּ). Moab had been undisturbed like wine left on its sediment (v. 11), developing a false sense of security.

The metaphor contrasts Moab's stagnant complacency with God's disruptive judgment. Wine left on its dregs becomes bitter; nations that rest in prosperity without repentance face violent upheaval. The Babylonian invasion would shatter Moab's containers of self-reliance, exposing the worthlessness of idolatry and military might.

Historical Context

Jeremiah prophesied this oracle against Moab (c. 605-586 BC) before Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian campaigns devastated Transjordan. Moab, descended from Lot (Genesis 19:37), had long-standing hostility with Israel. The wine-making metaphor would resonate with Moab's agricultural economy in the fertile plateau east of the Dead Sea.

Questions for Reflection

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