For in the going up of Luhith continual weeping shall go up; for in the going down of Horonaim the enemies have heard a cry of destruction.

JEREMIAH 48:5KJV
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Jeremiah 48:5 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 48:5 mean?

Jeremiah 48:5 describes people climbing the hill of Luhith in constant weeping and, as they descend toward Horonaim, the sound of destruction is heard by their enemies. The verse paints a vivid picture of distress and disaster overtaking those fleeing from danger.

In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking about the coming judgment on Moab, a neighboring nation to Israel. The verse uses the specific locations of Luhith and Horonaim to show the path of escape, but even along this route, there is no relief—only grief and the noise of ruin. The language emphasizes the totality of Moab’s calamity, with sorrow and fear following the people wherever they go.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 48:5

  • The word for “continual” and “weeping” is בְּכִי (bekhi), which means “weeping” or “crying.” The repetition in the Hebrew highlights the intensity and ongoing nature of the sorrow.
  • The word for “cry” is צְעָקָה (tse‘aqah), meaning a loud cry or outcry, often used in contexts of distress or alarm. Here, it underscores the panic and desperation of those fleeing.
  • The word for “destruction” is שֵׁבֶר (shever), which refers to breaking, ruin, or collapse. This word makes clear that the cry heard is not just of fear, but of actual disaster and downfall.

Why Jeremiah 48:5 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the judgment on Moab is not just a military defeat but a deeply personal and emotional catastrophe, affecting every level of society.
  • The mention of specific places and the journey between them grounds the prophecy in real geography, making the warning more concrete and relatable to its original audience.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing that escape is impossible; sorrow and destruction follow the people wherever they go, highlighting the completeness of the coming judgment.

Where else these words appear

“Luhith” Hebrew H3872 · used in 2 verses

  • Isaiah 15:5 My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction.

“Horonaim” Hebrew H2773 · used in 4 verses

  • Isaiah 15:5 My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction.
  • Jeremiah 48:3 A voice of crying shall be from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction.
  • Jeremiah 48:34 From the cry of Heshbon even unto Elealeh, and even unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice, from Zoar even unto Horonaim, as an heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate.

“down” Hebrew H4174 · used in 5 verses

  • Joshua 7:5 And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.
  • Joshua 10:11 And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.
  • 1 Kings 7:29 And on the borders that were between the ledges were lions, oxen, and cherubims: and upon the ledges there was a base above: and beneath the lions and oxen were certain additions made of thin work.

“up” Hebrew H4608 · used in 18 verses

  • Numbers 34:4 And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin: and the going forth thereof shall be from the south to Kadeshbarnea, and shall go on to Hazaraddar, and pass on to Azmon:
  • Judges 8:13 And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,
  • Nehemiah 9:4 Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.