Jeremiah 48:31 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 48:31 mean?

Jeremiah 48:31 expresses deep sorrow for Moab, with the speaker saying he will "howl" and "cry out" for the nation and mourn especially for the men of Kirheres. The verse shows a heartfelt lament over the coming judgment and suffering that Moab will experience.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking, voicing his grief over the fate of Moab, a neighboring nation often at odds with Israel. The mention of "howling" and "crying out" uses strong language to show the intensity of the sorrow, while "Kirheres" refers to a key city in Moab, highlighting the personal and national scale of the loss. The verse is part of a larger prophecy where Jeremiah announces God's judgment on Moab but also reveals genuine compassion for those who will suffer.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 48:31

• "howl" (יָלַל, yalal): This word means to wail or lament loudly, often used in the context of mourning or disaster. Jeremiah uses it to show the depth of his emotional response to Moab's coming destruction.
• "cry out" (זָעַק, za‘aq): This word carries the sense of a loud, desperate cry, usually for help or in distress. Its use here adds to the picture of overwhelming grief.
• "mourn" (הָגָה, hagah): While often translated as "meditate" or "mutter," here it is used in the sense of soft, sorrowful murmuring or grieving, suggesting a quieter, ongoing pain.
• "men" (אֱנוֹשׁ, enosh): This word refers to people, often with an emphasis on their frailty or mortality, underlining the vulnerability of those in Kirheres.
• "Kirheres" (קִרְחֶרֶשׂ, Qir-cheres): This is the name of a significant city in Moab, sometimes called Kir-hareseth, emphasizing that the sorrow is not just general but touches specific communities.

Why Jeremiah 48:31 matters

• Jeremiah 48:31 shows that even when announcing judgment, the prophet expresses genuine sorrow, reminding readers that God's warnings are not cold or detached.
• The verse highlights the personal impact of national disaster, focusing on real people and places rather than just abstract ideas of punishment.
• This lament connects to the broader theme in Jeremiah 48, where the prophet alternates between pronouncing judgment and expressing compassion, giving a fuller picture of the relationship between justice and mercy.