The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.

JEREMIAH 48:25KJV
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Jeremiah 48:25 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 48:25 mean?

Jeremiah 48:25 announces that Moab’s power will be destroyed. The verse speaks of Moab as a nation that can no longer defend itself or prevail against its enemies. The KJV presents the announcement as a message from the LORD.

The verse uses two pictures of strength. A horn can suggest the power of an animal to fight, while an arm suggests the ability to act or strike. Both images show strength being taken away.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 48:25

  • “horn” — קֶרֶן (qeren): This word means a horn, such as an animal’s horn. Here the horn stands for Moab’s strength rather than a literal horn.
  • “arm” — זְרוֹעַ (zeroaʿ): This word means an arm. Used of Moab, the arm pictures the nation’s ability to use its strength.

Why Jeremiah 48:25 matters

  • Moab is pictured as a single figure. The words “his arm” refer to the nation named earlier in the verse, giving a human image to a national disaster.
  • The verse presents Moab’s fall as the LORD’s announcement, not merely as a military prediction. The closing words, “saith the LORD,” identify the speaker.
  • The loss of strength is connected with Moab’s pride. In verse 26, the LORD says Moab “magnified himself against the LORD,” placing the image of the broken arm alongside the reason given for Moab’s downfall.

Where else these words appear

“off” Hebrew H1438 · used in 23 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:5 But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:7 And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.
  • Isaiah 22:25 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.

“horn” Hebrew H7161 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
  • 1 Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
  • Jeremiah 17:1 The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;

“arm” Hebrew H2220 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 49:24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob;(from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
  • Job 38:15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
  • Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

“broken” Hebrew H7665 · used in 145 verses

  • Genesis 19:9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.
  • Psalms 34:20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
  • Jeremiah 28:13 Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.