Jeremiah 48:20 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 48:20 mean?

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.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 48:20

• "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.

Why Jeremiah 48:20 matters

• 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.