Jeremiah 48:21
And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,
Original Language Analysis
וּמִשְׁפָּ֥ט
And judgment
H4941
וּמִשְׁפָּ֥ט
And judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
1 of 11
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
הַמִּישֹׁ֑ר
upon the plain
H4334
הַמִּישֹׁ֑ר
upon the plain
Strong's:
H4334
Word #:
5 of 11
a level, i.e., a plain (often used (with the article prefix) as a proper name of certain districts); figuratively, concord; also straightness, i.e., (
יַ֖הְצָה
and upon Jahazah
H3096
יַ֖הְצָה
and upon Jahazah
Strong's:
H3096
Word #:
9 of 11
jahats or jahtsah, a place east of the jordan
Cross References
Joshua 13:18And Jahazah, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath,Isaiah 15:4And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh: their voice shall be heard even unto Jahaz: therefore the armed soldiers of Moab shall cry out; his life shall be grievous unto him.Jeremiah 48:8And the spoiler shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape: the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed, as the LORD hath spoken.Numbers 21:23And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel.
Historical Context
The 'plain country' (Mishor) refers to the fertile plateau east of the Dead Sea, Moab's breadbasket. Holon's location is uncertain, but Jahazah (where Israel defeated Sihon, Numbers 21:23) and Mephaath (a Levitical city, Joshua 21:37) were significant settlements. These cities had survived for centuries; their destruction marked the end of Moabite civilization as Jeremiah knew it.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God's judgment extend to every city and region, leaving no geographic refuge from accountability?
- How does the comprehensive nature of divine judgment challenge assumptions that certain places or people are 'safe' from accountability?
- What does the inclusion of formerly Israelite cities (like Mephaath) suggest about God's impartiality in judgment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And judgment is come upon the plain country (וּמִשְׁפָּט בָּא אֶל־אֶרֶץ הַמִּישֹׁר)—Mishpat (judgment/justice) arrives on eretz hamishor (the tableland/plateau), Moab's agricultural heartland. The catalog of cities (vv. 21-24) demonstrates judgment's comprehensiveness—no town escapes. Upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath—These three cities represent northern Moab's settled regions.
The formulaic repetition 'upon... and upon... and upon' creates a drumbeat of inevitable judgment, city by city. This echoes Amos's oracles against nations (Amos 1-2) and anticipates Revelation's plagues (Revelation 16). Comprehensive judgment leaves no refuge—geographic spread proves God sees and judges every location, not just capitals or major centers.