Jeremiah 48:18
Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds.
Original Language Analysis
רְדִ֤י
come down
H3381
רְדִ֤י
come down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
1 of 14
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
מִכָּבוֹד֙
from thy glory
H3519
מִכָּבוֹד֙
from thy glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
יֹשֶׁ֖בֶת
and sit
H3427
יֹשֶׁ֖בֶת
and sit
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
3 of 14
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
יֹשֶׁ֖בֶת
and sit
H3427
יֹשֶׁ֖בֶת
and sit
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
5 of 14
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בַּת
Thou daughter
H1323
בַּת
Thou daughter
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
6 of 14
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שֹׁדֵ֤ד
for the spoiler
H7703
שֹׁדֵ֤ד
for the spoiler
Strong's:
H7703
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage
מוֹאָב֙
of Moab
H4124
מוֹאָב֙
of Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
10 of 14
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
עָ֣לָה
shall come
H5927
עָ֣לָה
shall come
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
11 of 14
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
Cross References
Isaiah 47:1Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.Numbers 21:30We have shot at them; Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon, and we have laid them waste even unto Nophah, which reacheth unto Medeba.Isaiah 15:2He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off.Jeremiah 48:22And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Beth-diblathaim,Joshua 13:17Heshbon, and all her cities that are in the plain; Dibon, and Bamoth-baal, and Beth-baal-meon,
Historical Context
Dibon (modern Dhiban, Jordan) was Moab's administrative capital, strategically located on the King's Highway. The Mesha Stele (c. 840 BC), found there in 1868, boasts of Moabite building projects and victories. Archaeological excavations show massive fortifications and a thriving Iron Age city—exactly the 'glory' and 'strongholds' Jeremiah addresses. Nebuchadnezzar's forces devastated the site around 582 BC.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'strongholds' (wealth, reputation, education, relationships) provide false security that God might require you to abandon?
- How does the image of descending from glory to sit in thirst illustrate the consequences of pride and self-sufficiency?
- In what ways does Jesus offer 'living water' (John 4:10) that makes earthly securities and glories pale by comparison?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory (יֹשֶׁבֶת בַּת־דִּיבוֹן רְדִי מִכָּבוֹד)—Dibon, Moab's capital where the Mesha Stele was discovered, must descend (redi) from kavod (glory/honor). And sit in thirst (וּשְׁבִי בַּצָּמָא)—The besieged city will lack water, a devastating reversal for the well-watered plateau. For the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds (כִּי־שֹׁדֵד מוֹאָב עָלָה בָךְ שִׁחֵת מִבְצָרָיִךְ).
The command to 'sit in thirst' reverses Psalm 23's 'green pastures' and 'still waters'—those who reject the Shepherd experience desolation. Dibon's fortifications (mivtsarayikh, strongholds) prove worthless. This foreshadows Jesus's warning about building on sand versus rock (Matthew 7:24-27): human defenses collapse without divine foundation.