Jeremiah 48:2
There shall be no more praise of Moab: in Heshbon they have devised evil against it; come, and let us cut it off from being a nation. Also thou shalt be cut down, O Madmen; the sword shall pursue thee.
Original Language Analysis
עוֹד֮
H5750
עוֹד֮
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
תְּהִלַּ֣ת
There shall be no more praise
H8416
תְּהִלַּ֣ת
There shall be no more praise
Strong's:
H8416
Word #:
3 of 17
laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn
מוֹאָב֒
of Moab
H4124
מוֹאָב֒
of Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
4 of 17
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
חָשְׁב֤וּ
they have devised
H2803
חָשְׁב֤וּ
they have devised
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
עָלֶ֙יהָ֙
H5921
עָלֶ֙יהָ֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְכ֖וּ
H1980
לְכ֖וּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
9 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְנַכְרִיתֶ֣נָּה
and let us cut it off
H3772
וְנַכְרִיתֶ֣נָּה
and let us cut it off
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
10 of 17
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
מִגּ֑וֹי
from being a nation
H1471
מִגּ֑וֹי
from being a nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
11 of 17
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
תִּדֹּ֔מִּי
Also thou shalt be cut down
H1826
תִּדֹּ֔מִּי
Also thou shalt be cut down
Strong's:
H1826
Word #:
14 of 17
to be dumb; by implication, to be astonished, to stop; also to perish
אַחֲרַ֖יִךְ
thee
H310
אַחֲרַ֖יִךְ
thee
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
Cross References
Isaiah 16:14But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble.Jeremiah 31:36If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.Numbers 32:37And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim,
Historical Context
Heshbon, originally Amorite, had been contested between Israel and Moab for centuries (Numbers 21:26). Its strategic location on the King's Highway made it economically vital. This prophecy reverses Moab's historical boasting over territorial gains, fulfilling the curse pattern established in Deuteronomy 28.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the wordplay in Hebrew (Heshbon devising its own destruction) illustrate the principle that sin contains its own judgment?
- What national or personal 'praise' must end when it contradicts God's purposes?
- How does the pursuing sword image warn against thinking we can outrun consequences of rebellion?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
There shall be no more praise of Moab (אֵין־עוֹד תְּהִלַּת מוֹאָב)—the Hebrew tehillat (praise/glory) is the same root used in Psalms. Moab's renown will cease entirely. In Heshbon (חֶשְׁבּוֹן), ironically meaning 'stronghold' or 'device,' enemies devise evil (חָשְׁבוּ רָעָה)—a wordplay showing that the city of 'devising' becomes the place where its own destruction is devised.
Cut it off from being a nation (נַכְרִיתֶנָּה מִגּוֹי nakritennah miggoy) uses the covenant curse language of karat (to cut off, destroy). The command to Madmen (מַדְמֵן)—possibly a wordplay on damam (to be silent/destroyed)—declares: thou shalt be cut down (תִּדֹּמִּי tiddommi, 'you shall be silenced'). The sword shall pursue (חֶרֶב תֵּלֶךְ אַחֲרָיִךְ)—relentless, inescapable judgment.