Moab is spoiled, and gone up out of her cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.

JEREMIAH 48:15KJV
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Jeremiah 48:15 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 48:15 mean?

Jeremiah 48:15 announces that Moab, a neighboring nation to Israel, has been devastated and its cities overtaken, with its strongest young men killed in battle, as declared by the LORD, who is described as the King and commander of heavenly armies. This verse is a pronouncement of judgment, making clear that Moab’s downfall is certain and comes by God’s authority.

In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking a message from God to the people of Moab, warning them of coming destruction. The verse uses strong language to show that even Moab’s best warriors will not escape, and it emphasizes that this is not just a human event but a judgment spoken by the LORD of hosts (meaning the LORD who commands all heavenly armies). The wider chapter contains a series of warnings and judgments against Moab for its pride and actions.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 48:15

  • "spoiled" (שָׁדַד, shadad): This word means to be devastated, ruined, or destroyed. It highlights the total loss and ruin that Moab faces, not just a minor defeat.
  • "chosen" (מִבְחַר, mivchar): This refers to the select or best young men, showing that even the most promising and strongest among Moab’s people are not spared.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH) and "hosts" (צְבָאוֹת, tsevaot): The title "LORD of hosts" stresses God’s supreme authority and power, reminding the reader that this is not just a political event but an act of divine judgment.

Why Jeremiah 48:15 matters

  • This verse makes it clear that Moab’s defeat is not accidental or merely the result of human warfare, but is specifically decreed by God, highlighting His control over nations.
  • The mention of the "chosen young men" going down to slaughter shows that no amount of human strength or preparation can stand against God’s declared judgment.
  • By calling God the "King" and "LORD of hosts," the verse ties the fate of Moab to the larger biblical theme of God’s sovereignty over all peoples, not just Israel.

Where else these words appear

“chosen” Hebrew H4005 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 23:6 Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.
  • Isaiah 22:7 And it shall come to pass, that thy choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.
  • Ezekiel 24:4 Gather the pieces thereof into it, even every good piece, the thigh, and the shoulder; fill it with the choice bones.

“slaughter” Hebrew H2874 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 43:16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.
  • Isaiah 34:2 For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.
  • Jeremiah 50:27 Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.

“men” Hebrew H970 · used in 44 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:25 The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs.
  • Isaiah 31:8 Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.
  • Lamentations 1:15 The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress.

“spoiled” Hebrew H7703 · used in 47 verses

  • Judges 5:27 At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead.
  • Jeremiah 4:20 Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment.
  • Jeremiah 49:3 Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together.