Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.

JEREMIAH 48:4KJV
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Jeremiah 48:4 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 48:4 mean?

Jeremiah 48:4 announces that Moab, a neighboring nation of Israel, has been destroyed, and the suffering is so severe that even the children or the most vulnerable have raised a cry that can be heard. The verse highlights the depth of Moab’s downfall by focusing on the distress of its people.

The prophet Jeremiah is speaking God’s message of judgment against Moab, a nation often at odds with Israel. In this part of the prophecy, Jeremiah describes not just military defeat but the emotional and social collapse that follows, as the pain reaches every level of society. The mention of “her little ones” draws attention to the innocence affected by the disaster, making the scene more tragic and vivid.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 48:4

  • "Destroyed" (שָׁבַר, shavar): This word often means "broken" or "shattered," not just defeated. It paints a picture of Moab being completely crushed, not merely conquered.
  • "Ones" (קָטֹן, qaton): This word refers to the "little ones" or the smallest members of society, often understood as children, but can also mean the weak or insignificant. The verse uses this to emphasize how the destruction affects even those who are usually protected or overlooked.
  • "Cry" (זַעֲקָה, za‘aqah): This word means a loud cry or outcry, often associated with distress or a call for help. It underlines the intensity of suffering experienced by Moab.
  • "Heard" (שָׁמַע, shama‘): This word means "to hear" or "to listen." The fact that the cry is heard suggests the suffering is public and unmistakable, not hidden away.

Why Jeremiah 48:4 matters

  • The verse makes clear that the judgment against Moab is total, affecting all people, not just the leaders or soldiers, but even the most vulnerable.
  • By focusing on the cry of the "little ones," Jeremiah 48:4 emphasizes the human cost of national downfall, not just the political or military consequences.
  • This verse fits into a larger section where Jeremiah lists the reasons for Moab’s judgment and describes the thoroughness of its destruction, helping readers see the seriousness of ignoring God’s warnings.

Where else these words appear

“cry” Hebrew H2201 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 18:20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
  • Job 16:18 O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.
  • Jeremiah 18:22 Let a cry be heard from their houses, when thou shalt bring a troop suddenly upon them: for they have digged a pit to take me, and hid snares for my feet.

“ones” Hebrew H6810 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 19:31 And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth:
  • Genesis 48:14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.
  • Psalms 68:27 There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.

“destroyed” 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.