Jeremiah Chapter 48 · Verse 37
For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
רֹאשׁ֙
For every head
H7218
רֹאשׁ֙
For every head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
3 of 14
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גְּרֻעָ֑ה
clipped
H1639
גְּרֻעָ֑ה
clipped
Strong's:
H1639
Word #:
7 of 14
to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold
עַ֤ל
H5921
עַ֤ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יָדַ֙יִם֙
upon all the hands
H3027
יָדַ֙יִם֙
upon all the hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
10 of 14
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Jeremiah 41:5That there came certain from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men, having their beards shaven, and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring them to the house of the LORD.Jeremiah 47:5Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself?Genesis 37:34And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.Isaiah 20:2At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.Jeremiah 16:6Both the great and the small shall die in this land: they shall not be buried, neither shall men lament for them, nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them:
Historical Context
These mourning practices were widespread in the ancient Near East. Archaeological evidence and literary sources confirm head-shaving, beard-cutting, self-laceration, and sackcloth-wearing as grief responses to death, national calamity, or divine judgment. While forbidden to Israel, these practices characterized pagan cultures. The prophets often described coming judgment using these images (Isaiah 15:2-3, Jeremiah 41:5, Ezekiel 7:18). When Babylon conquered Moab, survivors indeed mourned comprehensively—for lost family members, destroyed cities, ended national existence, and failed gods.
Questions for Reflection
- How do these extreme mourning practices illustrate the severity of experiencing divine judgment?
- What does the universal nature of mourning ('every head... all hands') teach about how sin's consequences affect entire communities?
- In what ways do outward expressions of grief (biblical or cultural) help process deep loss and tragedy?
Analysis & Commentary
For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped (כִּי כָל־רֹאשׁ קָרְחָה וְכָל־זָקָן גְּרוּעָה)—Shaving the head (qorchah, קָרְחָה) and cutting the beard (geru'ah, גְּרוּעָה) were ancient mourning practices, signs of extreme grief and humiliation (Job 1:20, Isaiah 15:2). These practices were forbidden to Israel (Leviticus 19:27-28, Deuteronomy 14:1) but common among pagans. Their universal practice across Moab ('every head... every beard') indicates comprehensive mourning—all social classes share in grief.
Upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth (עַל־כָּל־יָדַיִם גְּדֻדֹת וְעַל־מָתְנַיִם שָׂק). Self-inflicted gedudot (גְּדֻדֹת, cuttings/gashes) on hands and wearing saq (שָׂק, sackcloth—coarse goat hair) around the loins were mourning rituals expressing anguish. These physical manifestations of grief indicate that Moab's suffering will be so severe that all will engage in extreme mourning practices. The cumulative effect describes a nation in total despair.