Jeremiah 48:8
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וְיָבֹ֨א
shall come
H935
וְיָבֹ֨א
shall come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 15
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
שֹׁדֵ֜ד
And the spoiler
H7703
שֹׁדֵ֜ד
And the spoiler
Strong's:
H7703
Word #:
2 of 15
properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וְעִיר֙
and no city
H5892
וְעִיר֙
and no city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
5 of 15
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וְעִיר֙
and no city
H5892
וְעִיר֙
and no city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
6 of 15
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִמָּלֵ֔ט
shall escape
H4422
תִמָּלֵ֔ט
shall escape
Strong's:
H4422
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
וְאָבַ֥ד
also shall perish
H6
וְאָבַ֥ד
also shall perish
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
הַמִּישֹׁ֑ר
and the plain
H4334
הַמִּישֹׁ֑ר
and the plain
Strong's:
H4334
Word #:
12 of 15
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., (
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
Moab's geography included distinct zones: the plateau (mishor), the Jordan valley (emeq), and fortified cities like Dibon and Medeba. Jeremiah's prophecy indicates systematic conquest affecting every economic sector—trade, agriculture, and livestock. Babylonian records confirm Moabite subjugation by 582 BC.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the phrase 'as the LORD hath spoken' establish accountability for divine warnings?
- What does comprehensive judgment (city, valley, plain) teach about the thoroughness of sin's consequences?
- How should knowledge that God's word will be fulfilled shape present obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The spoiler shall come upon every city (וַיָּבֹא שׁוֹדֵד אֶל־כָּל־עִיר vayavo shoded el-kol-ir)—the shoded (destroyer, plunderer) is likely Nebuchadnezzar's army, but functions as Yahweh's agent of judgment. No city shall escape (וְעִיר לֹא תִמָּלֵט ve'ir lo timmalet)—total, comprehensive devastation. The threefold target follows: the valley (הָעֵמֶק ha'emeq, the Jordan valley), shall perish (וְאָבַד ve'avad); and the plain (הַמִּישֹׁר hamishor, the tableland), shall be destroyed (וְנִשְׁמַד venishmad).
The progression from city to valley to plain covers every geographic zone—urban, agricultural lowlands, and pastoral highlands. The concluding phrase as the LORD hath spoken (אֲשֶׁר אָמַר יְהוָה asher amar YHWH) grounds this disaster not in military happenstance but in divine decree. God's word guarantees its fulfillment.