Jeremiah 48:13
Then Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel, their confidence.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse highlights a deep irony: Israel, which should have been ashamed of its own sin (worshipping the golden calf at Bethel), is used as the example for Moab's shame in worshipping its idol. It's a stark reminder that our misplaced trust in anything other than God ultimately leads to disappointment and exposure, no matter who else is failing alongside us.
This prophecy is detailing the impending judgment upon Moab for their persistent pride and idolatry, especially their worship of Chemosh. Jeremiah draws a parallel to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, explaining that just as Israel was ultimately disgraced by their reliance on the idol at Bethel after it failed to protect them, Moab will experience a similar shame when their god Chemosh proves useless against the Babylonian invaders.
Why would a nation feel 'ashamed' of their god? Discover the profound disappointment that comes when the gods we trust can't deliver.
Jeremiah draws a powerful parallel between Moab and Israel, both facing a deep sense of shame because of their idols.
Moab's Shame
Moab's national god was Chemosh. They had likely invested their hope, resources, and loyalty in him, especially in times of crisis. But when the Babylonian army (the Chaldeans) came to conquer them, Chemosh proved utterly useless. He couldn't save their cities, their people, or their land. This failure would bring a profound, humiliating shame upon them and their god.
Israel's Shame
Similarly, the northern kingdom of Israel had set up golden calves, particularly in Bethel and Dan, as symbols of worship to their God, Yahweh. King Jeroboam had established this system, and it became their 'confidence.' However, this corrupted worship offered no real protection. When the Assyrians conquered them, this idol worship was exposed as empty, leading to a similar shame.
The Core Issue
In both cases, the shame isn't just embarrassment; it's the bitter realization that their ultimate trust was misplaced. They put their faith in created things—idols or corrupted religious symbols—rather than the true Creator. This verse highlights that such misplaced confidence is destined for disappointment and shame.
The verse speaks of 'confidence.' What does it truly mean to have confidence, and where should it be placed?
This verse isn't just about the failure of idols; it's a stark reminder of where true confidence should lie.
The Nature of Confidence
Confidence implies a deep trust, a belief that something or someone will provide security, help, or success, especially when tested. Both Moab and Israel had placed this kind of confidence in their respective deities or religious symbols.
Understand the original words
kĕmôš · Hebrew Noun
The primary national deity of the Moabites, associated with war and sacrifice. In biblical theology, such idols are vanity and ultimately lead to the shame of their followers because they are powerless to deliver from the judgment of the one true God.
Bêṯ-’ēl · Hebrew Noun
A place name meaning 'House of God'; in this context, it refers to the northern kingdom of Israel's apostate worship site at Bethel, where golden calves were set up, serving as a false source of security that resulted in national shame.
miḇṭāḥ · Hebrew Noun
The quality of feeling secure or certain, often misplaced when placed in worldly power, idols, or human achievements. Biblical wisdom warns against placing this in anything other than the LORD.
This verse draws a powerful parallel between Moab's reliance on its idol Chemosh and Israel's misplaced trust in the golden calf at Bethel. Both nations ultimately faced devastating defeat and exile because their idols, symbols of human-made confidence, could not save them.
c. 931 BC
Israel Divides, Jeroboam Sets Up Idols
After the united kingdom splits, King Jeroboam I of Israel establishes golden calf shrines at Bethel and Dan to prevent his people from worshipping in Jerusalem, thus creating a new center of worship and a source of national pride and identity for the northern kingdom.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Conquest of Northern Israel
The powerful Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, leading to the deportation of its population and the effective end of its existence as an independent nation. This event shames the people for their misplaced trust in the idols of Bethel and Dan.
c. 715-605 BC
Moabite Independence and Worship of Chemosh
Moab, a kingdom east of the Jordan River, maintains its independence and continues to worship its primary deity, Chemosh, often placing immense confidence in the idol's protective power. The prophet Jeremiah addresses this period of self-reliance.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportations
This passage describes Jeroboam setting up the golden calves at Bethel and Dan, which became the focal point of idolatrous worship for the northern kingdom of Israel, directly linking to the 'Bethel' mentioned in Jeremiah.
Hosea 10:5-6Hosea prophesies shame for the people of Israel concerning their idols at Bethel, echoing the sentiment that their confidence in these false gods will lead to ruin, just as Moab's confidence in Chemosh will.
Jeremiah 2:26-27Jeremiah contrasts Israel's deep shame in their idolatry with their misplaced trust, stating they 'call a piece of wood their father' and a stone their mother, highlighting the profound disconnect between their worship and true divine power.
Isaiah 44:9-11This passage powerfully critiques the futility of idol worship, detailing the shame of those who craft and trust in idols, reinforcing the idea that such confidence is misplaced and will ultimately lead to disappointment.
Judges 11:24This verse introduces Chemosh as the god of Moab, explaining their presence and rights in the land, providing context for why Chemosh was a central figure of confidence and worship for the Moabites.
pulpitJeremiah 48:13: "And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their confidence."
Verse 13. - Ashamed of Bethel; i.e. of the golden calf or bull at Bethel, set up by Jeroboam I. as a symbol of the strong God, Jehovah. This idolatry was odious to the prophetic teachers of a nobler and more spiritual form of religion. They saw that the deity and the symbol were too much confounded, and that such a religion would not save its adherents from captivity and ruin (…
gillJeremiah 48:13: "And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their confidence."
And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh,.... His idol; see Jeremiah 48:7 ; of his worship of him, prayers to him, and confidence in him; he not being able to save him from the destruction of the Chaldeans, and being carried captive by them; he himself also going into captivity: as the house of Israel were ashamed of Bethel their confidence; that is, of the golden calf that was set…
This verse highlights a deep irony: Israel, which should have been ashamed of its own sin (worshipping the golden calf at Bethel), is used as the example for Moab's shame in worshipping its idol. It's a stark reminder that our misplaced trust in anything other than God ultimately leads to disappointment and exposure, no matter who else is failing alongside us.
This prophecy is detailing the impending judgment upon Moab for their persistent pride and idolatry, especially their worship of Chemosh. Jeremiah draws a parallel to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, explaining that just as Israel was ultimately disgraced by their reliance on the idol at Bethel after it failed to protect them, Moab will experience a similar shame when their god Chemosh proves useless against the Babylonian invaders.
This prophecy is detailing the impending judgment upon Moab for their persistent pride and idolatry, especially their worship of Chemosh. Jeremiah draws a parallel to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, explaining that just as Israel was ultimately disgraced by their reliance on the idol at Bethel after it failed to protect them, Moab will experience a similar shame when their god Chemosh proves useless against the Babylonian invaders.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Jeremiah 48:13 is available in the Sola app.
The Cost of Misplaced Confidence
When that confidence is shattered, the resulting shame is deep. It's the painful recognition of foolishness and vulnerability. The prophets viewed the worship of idols like the golden calves at Bethel not just as a religious error, but as a fundamental betrayal of trust in the one God who actually sustains and protects.
The True Source of Confidence
The ultimate message is a call to place our confidence where it truly belongs: in the Lord alone. The prophets consistently contrasted the failure of pagan gods and corrupted worship with the faithfulness and power of Yahweh. True, lasting confidence is found not in symbols or deities that promise but fail, but in the living God who is always present and always true.
Under King Nebuchadnezzar II, the Babylonian Empire begins its campaigns against Judah and surrounding nations, including Moab. This marks the start of incursions that will eventually lead to the destruction of Jerusalem and widespread conquest.
c. 590 BC— this verse
Jeremiah's Prophecy Against Moab
Jeremiah delivers this prophecy, comparing Moab's impending shame and destruction at the hands of Babylon to the earlier shame of the northern kingdom of Israel, whose idols like the one at Bethel proved powerless.
c. 582 BC
Babylonian Conquest of Moab
Following the destruction of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar II completes his conquest of Moab, scattering its people and destroying its cities. This fulfills Jeremiah's prophecy, demonstrating the utter failure of Chemosh to protect his worshippers.
"Then Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel, their confidence." — This verse highlights a deep irony: Israel, which should have been ashamed of its own sin (worshipping the golden calf at Bethel), is used as the example for Moab's shame in worshipping its idol. I…
