Jeremiah 48:14
How say ye, We are mighty and strong men for the war?
Original Language Analysis
גִּבּוֹרִ֖ים
ye We are mighty
H1368
גִּבּוֹרִ֖ים
ye We are mighty
Strong's:
H1368
Word #:
3 of 7
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
וְאַנְשֵׁי
men
H582
וְאַנְשֵׁי
men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
Cross References
Psalms 33:16There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.Isaiah 10:16Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.Isaiah 10:13For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man:
Historical Context
Moab had a proud military tradition, successfully defending against Israelite incursions and maintaining independence through strategic alliances. The Mesha Stele (c. 840 BC) celebrates Moabite king Mesha's victories over Israel. This historical military prowess made Moab's boasting seem justified—until Nebuchadnezzar's overwhelming force proved all human strength inadequate against divine judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas of competence or strength are you tempted to boast, forgetting your dependence on God's sovereign grace?
- How does remembering past successes sometimes blind us to present spiritual danger or coming judgment?
- What is the difference between legitimate confidence in God-given abilities and the prideful self-reliance that provokes divine opposition?
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Analysis & Commentary
How say ye, We are mighty and strong men for the war? (אֵיךְ תֹּאמְרוּ גִּבּוֹרִים אֲנַחְנוּ וְאַנְשֵׁי־חַיִל לַמִּלְחָמָה)—Jeremiah's rhetorical question mocks Moabite military boasting. The Hebrew gibborim (mighty warriors) and anshei-chayil (men of valor) echo the self-confidence that preceded disaster. This recalls Goliath's taunts before David (1 Samuel 17) and anticipates James's warning against boasting about tomorrow (James 4:13-16).
The question indicts human pride that forgets creaturehood before the Creator. Military strength, when divorced from submission to God's sovereignty, becomes delusional self-deception. Moab's warrior culture, which had successfully resisted enemies for generations, would crumble before Babylon—proving that God humbles every nation that exalts itself.