Jeremiah 48:25
The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
נִגְדְּעָה֙
is cut off
H1438
נִגְדְּעָה֙
is cut off
Strong's:
H1438
Word #:
1 of 7
to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything
קֶ֣רֶן
The horn
H7161
קֶ֣רֶן
The horn
Strong's:
H7161
Word #:
2 of 7
a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e., ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a moun
מוֹאָ֔ב
of Moab
H4124
מוֹאָ֔ב
of Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
3 of 7
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
וּזְרֹע֖וֹ
and his arm
H2220
וּזְרֹע֖וֹ
and his arm
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
4 of 7
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
Cross References
Psalms 75:10All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.Psalms 10:15Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.Job 22:9Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.
Historical Context
Horns frequently adorned ancient Near Eastern altars (Exodus 27:2) and symbolized deity and kingship. Moabite kings likely wore horned crowns or helmets, as depicted in ancient iconography. The 'broken arm' suggests military defeat—armies disarmed and disbanded. After Babylon's conquest, Moab ceased to exist as an independent kingdom, becoming a Persian province. The nation's 'horn' and 'arm' were permanently severed.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'horns' (authorities, powers, sources of pride) and 'arms' (capabilities, strengths) in your life might need to be broken for God's purposes to prevail?
- How does the image of God cutting off human power structures challenge contemporary reliance on political, military, or economic might?
- In what ways does Jesus's kingdom, established through weakness and crucifixion, overturn worldly assumptions about power represented by 'horns' and 'arms'?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken (נִגְדְּעָה קֶרֶן מוֹאָב וּזְרֹעוֹ נִשְׁבָּרָה)—The qeren (horn) symbolizes power and authority (1 Samuel 2:10; Psalm 75:10), while zero'a (arm) represents military strength. Both are nigde'ah (cut off) and nishbarah (broken)—violent, permanent removal of capacity to resist or defend.
Hannah's song celebrates God exalting the horn of His anointed (1 Samuel 2:10); here He cuts off the horn of the proud. The dual imagery (horn and arm) covers both symbolic authority and practical power—Moab loses legitimacy and capability simultaneously. This anticipates Revelation's beast whose power is broken (Revelation 19:19-20). No human strength withstands divine opposition.