Question 1

What does Jeremiah 48:20 mean?

Accepted Answer

Jeremiah 48:20 announces that Moab has been shamed and defeated, urging people to mourn and spread the news of Moab’s destruction as far as the region of Arnon. The verse is a public declaration of Moab’s downfall, calling for both lament and the sharing of this news. Jeremiah is speaking as a prophet, delivering God’s message about the judgment coming upon the nation of Moab, a neighbor of Israel. The verse uses strong language to show the completeness of Moab’s defeat and the emotional response it should provoke. The mention of Arnon, a river marking Moab’s border, shows that the news of Moab’s ruin is meant to reach even the outermost parts of the land.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 48:20

Accepted Answer

"Confounded" (נִכְלְמָה, nikhl'mah) means to be put to shame or disgraced, highlighting the deep humiliation Moab experiences. "Broken down" (חָתָה, chatat) is often used for being shattered or crushed, emphasizing the total collapse of Moab’s strength. "Howl" (יָלַל, yalal) and "cry" (זָעַק, za'aq) are both strong words for loud, public mourning, showing that the response to Moab’s fall is not quiet grief but open, collective wailing. "Tell" (נָגַד, nagad) means to announce or report, stressing the importance of spreading the news widely, not keeping it secret. "Spoiled" (שָׁדַד, shadad) means to be devastated or laid waste, underlining the thoroughness of the destruction.

Question 3

Why Jeremiah 48:20 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse makes clear that Moab’s defeat is not just a military loss but a public disgrace, meant to be witnessed and mourned by all. The call to spread the news to Arnon shows that the judgment is not hidden or local but affects the whole region, signaling the end of Moab’s security. In the larger context of Jeremiah 48, this verse is part of a series of oracles against Moab, showing that God’s judgment is thorough and that no part of Moab’s territory is untouched.

Jeremiah 48:20 (KJV)