Jeremiah 48:29 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 48:29 mean?

Jeremiah 48:29 describes how the people have heard about Moab’s great pride, emphasizing just how excessive and deep-rooted this pride is, mentioning Moab’s loftiness, arrogance, and the haughtiness of its heart. The verse lists several words for pride to show that Moab’s attitude is not just a rumor, but a well-known and defining problem.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking about the nation of Moab, a neighbor of Israel, as part of a longer message of judgment. The verse highlights not only the fact of Moab’s pride but also its reputation—everyone has heard about it. This sets the stage for why Moab will face consequences in the following verses, making clear that its downfall is tied to its arrogant spirit.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 48:29

• The word for "pride" is גָּאוֹן (ga'on), which often refers to a sense of self-importance or being lifted up above others. Its repetition in the verse underlines just how central pride is to Moab’s character.
• "Loftiness" uses גָּבַהּ (gavah), meaning to be high or exalted, pointing to an attitude of superiority.
• "Arrogancy" is גָּאוֹן (ga'on) again, showing that the verse uses several related words to stress different shades of pride—both the feeling and the outward display.
• "Haughtiness of his heart" uses רוּם (rum) for haughtiness and לֵב (lev) for heart, focusing on the inner attitude, not just outward actions. This makes clear that the problem is deep within Moab’s mindset, not just in what they say or do.

Why Jeremiah 48:29 matters

• This verse clears up that Moab’s pride was not a hidden or minor flaw; it was widely recognized and talked about, making their coming judgment seem just and unsurprising.
• By stacking up different Hebrew words for pride, Jeremiah emphasizes that Moab’s arrogance was thorough—it affected both their actions and their inner thoughts.
• The verse connects to the wider chapter, where God’s judgment on Moab is explained as a response to this very attitude, showing a direct link between character and consequence.