Jeremiah 48:46 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 48:46 mean?

Jeremiah 48:46 announces disaster for Moab, saying that the people devoted to their god Chemosh will perish, and that Moab’s sons and daughters will be taken away as captives. The verse declares the downfall of Moab’s people and the powerlessness of their god to protect them from defeat and exile.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking a message from God against the nation of Moab, a neighbor of Israel. Moab’s main god, Chemosh, is singled out to show that even the nation’s religious identity cannot save them from judgment. The verse uses strong language to highlight the total loss Moab faces: not only military defeat, but also the capture and removal of its next generation.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 48:46

• "Woe" (הוֹי, hoy): This word is an expression of deep distress or impending doom, often used by prophets to announce judgment. It signals that what follows is a pronouncement of disaster.
• "Chemosh" (כְּמוֹשׁ, Kemosh): Naming Moab’s main deity emphasizes that the defeat is not just political but religious; Chemosh is shown as powerless to save his people.
• "Perisheth" (אָבַד, avad): This word means to be destroyed or to vanish. It stresses the complete ruin of the people associated with Chemosh.
• "Captives" (שְׁבִי, shevi and שְׁבִיָּה, sheviyyah): Two related words are used for the captivity of sons and daughters, highlighting the totality of Moab’s loss—both male and female children are taken, leaving the nation empty and vulnerable.

Why Jeremiah 48:46 matters

• The verse clarifies that Moab’s downfall is not just military but also spiritual, as even their god Chemosh is powerless to help.
• By mentioning both sons and daughters as captives, the verse emphasizes the complete devastation of Moab’s future and family structure.
• This verse fits into a larger section where Jeremiah pronounces judgment on various nations, showing that no nation, regardless of its gods or strength, is immune from accountability before God.