The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast.

JEREMIAH 48:16KJV
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Jeremiah 48:16 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 48:16 mean?

Jeremiah 48:16 warns that disaster for Moab is very close and that Moab’s suffering will arrive quickly. The verse is a clear statement that trouble is not only certain for Moab but also imminent and unavoidable.

In this part of the book, the prophet Jeremiah is delivering a message from God about the nation of Moab, a neighbor of Israel. Jeremiah is speaking to announce that Moab’s time of judgment is almost here, and the hardship will come swiftly. This verse is part of a longer prophecy against Moab, describing the downfall of a nation that had often been hostile toward Israel.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 48:16

  • "Calamity" (הֵיד, hêyd; H343) means disaster or ruin. This word highlights that what is coming for Moab is not just hardship but a complete downfall.
  • "Near" (קָרוֹב, qarov; H7138) means close in time, emphasizing that the predicted event is about to happen, not far off in the future.
  • "Hasteth" (מִמַּהֵר, mimaher; H4116) means to hurry or rush. This word adds urgency, showing that Moab’s affliction is not only near but speeding toward them.
  • "Fast" (מְאֹד, me’od; H3966) means very much or exceedingly. Here, it intensifies the speed and certainty of the coming trouble, stressing that it will come with great swiftness.

Why Jeremiah 48:16 matters

  • Jeremiah 48:16 clarifies that the warning is not a vague threat but a specific prediction that Moab’s downfall is about to happen soon.
  • The verse uses strong language to stress both the nearness and the speed of the coming disaster, making it clear that there is no escape or delay.
  • This verse fits into a larger section where Jeremiah lists the reasons for Moab’s judgment, helping the reader see that the prophecy is part of a broader message about accountability and consequences for nations.

Where else these words appear

“calamity” Hebrew H343 · used in 22 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
  • Job 31:23 For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.
  • Proverbs 27:10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

“hasteth” Hebrew H4116 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 18:6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
  • Judges 9:48 And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.
  • 2 Chronicles 24:5 And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not.

“near” Hebrew H7138 · used in 76 verses

  • Genesis 19:20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither,( is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
  • 1 Kings 21:2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.
  • Isaiah 51:5 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.