Jeremiah 48:3 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 48:3 mean?

Jeremiah 48:3 describes a loud cry coming from the town of Horonaim, announcing that the city is being attacked and experiencing great destruction. The verse paints a picture of distress and disaster spreading through this place.

In this part of Jeremiah, the prophet is speaking about the coming judgment on Moab, a neighboring nation of Israel. The verse captures a moment when news of violence and ruin reaches Horonaim, one of Moab’s cities, signaling that the whole land is under threat. The focus is on the terror and upheaval that the people will feel as their city faces devastation.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 48:3

• "voice" (קוֹל, qol): This word often means a sound, voice, or noise. Here, it emphasizes the intensity and urgency of the outcry coming from the city.
• "crying" (צְעָקָה, tze‘aqah): This word means a cry for help or a wail of distress, highlighting the desperation of the people in Horonaim.
• "Horonaim" (חֹרֹנַיִם, Horonayim): This is the name of a Moabite city. Its mention grounds the prophecy in a real location, making the warning specific and concrete.
• "spoiling" (שֹׁד, shod): This word refers to violence, plundering, or destruction. It underlines that the city is not just suffering but is being thoroughly devastated.
• "great" (גָּדוֹל, gadol): This word means large or significant. It stresses the scale of the destruction.
• "destruction" (שֶׁבֶר, shever): This word means breaking or ruin, reinforcing the sense of total collapse and disaster.

Why Jeremiah 48:3 matters

• Jeremiah 48:3 makes clear that the destruction is not abstract or distant; it is personal and immediate for the people of Horonaim, helping readers feel the weight of the prophecy.
• The verse shows that the judgment on Moab is thorough, affecting even its cities and people, not just its leaders or armies.
• By naming Horonaim and describing the cries and destruction, Jeremiah 48:3 connects the prophecy to real places and events, anchoring the warning in history rather than vague threats.