Jeremiah 48:26-27
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The verse vividly illustrates that God’s judgment on Moab isn't just about punishment, but also about a profound reversal of pride into shame. Moab's self-magnification against the Lord will lead to them "wallowing in their vomit"—a raw image of being utterly debased, not just defeated, but exposed in the most humiliating way imaginable. This isn't merely about losing a battle; it's about their arrogance being vomited out, leaving them an object of ridicule, a stark contrast to their former haughtiness.
“Make him drunk, because he magnified himself against the LORD, so that Moab shall wallow in his vomit, and he too shall be held in derision. Was not Israel a derision to you? Was he found among thieves, that whenever you spoke of him you wagged your head?
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of Jeremiah's prophecy against Moab, a nation often depicted as arrogant and hostile towards God's people. Following pronouncements of judgment against Moab for their pride and their mistreatment of Israel, this verse commands the agents of God's wrath to deal a severe blow. The impending destruction is portrayed as an intoxicating vengeance, meant to humble Moab after they "magnified themselves against the LORD," acting as if they were beyond God's reach.
Why does the Bible describe God's judgment as being 'drunk'? This isn't about literal intoxication, but a powerful metaphor for utter ruin and loss of control.
The verse commands Moab to be 'made drunk,' but not with actual wine. This refers to the 'cup of God's fury' or 'vengeance.' This imagery highlights the devastating and disorienting nature of God's judgment.
A Cup of Calamity
When God allows judgment to fall, it's like a potent, inescapable drink that overwhelms the senses. A drunkard loses their balance, their reasoning, and their dignity. Similarly, Moab's judgment would strip them of their power, their pride, and their ability to function as a nation.
More Than Just Punishment
This isn't just about suffering pain; it's about being rendered helpless and exposed. The 'drunkenness' signifies a complete loss of control, a state of utter incapacitation brought about by the overwhelming force of divine wrath.
Moab's downfall isn't random. The text points to a specific sin: 'magnifying himself against the LORD.' What does that look like in real life?
The core reason for Moab's impending judgment is their arrogance and defiance against God. 'Magnifying himself against the LORD' means they acted as if they were equal to, or even superior than, the Almighty.
Defiance and Disregard
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This wasn't just a political rivalry; it was a spiritual rebellion. Moab likely boasted in their own strength, mocked God's people (Israel), and acted with contempt for the divine authority that had established and protected Israel.
The Inevitable Fall
Pride that exalts itself against God always leads to a fall. They forgot that their own existence and successes were ultimately due to God's permissive will, not their own inherent superiority. This defiant posture invites divine intervention, not to compete, but to correct and condemn.
The imagery of 'wallowing in vomit' and being 'held in derision' is graphic and disturbing. What does this final state of Moab reveal?
The consequences of Moab's pride and God's judgment are depicted with stark realism. 'Wallowing in his vomit' is a picture of utter disgrace and self-degradation, a direct result of their spiritual 'drunkenness.'
Public Humiliation
Beyond the personal shame, Moab is also destined to be 'in derision' – mocked and ridiculed by others. This reflects a principle of retribution: just as Moab had mocked and scorned Israel in their distress, so would Moab become a spectacle of scorn for their enemies.
The Ultimate Outcome of Rebellion
This isn't merely about military defeat; it's about the complete stripping away of dignity and honor. The enemies of God and His people, when they fall, become objects of contempt. Their former boasts and arrogance are exposed as hollow, leaving them in a state of pathetic humiliation for all to see.
Understand the original words
shakar · Hebrew Verb
To drink to excess, often used metaphorically in Scripture to describe the state of being under divine judgment or staggering under the weight of God's wrath.
gadal · Hebrew Verb
To lift oneself up in pride or arrogance, often in defiance of God's authority; it describes a heart that elevates itself above the Creator.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
Refers to the LORD, the covenant God of Israel (Yahweh). It signifies His supreme authority, sovereignty, and personal relationship with His people.
sechoq · Hebrew Noun
A state of being mocked, scorned, or held in contempt; it often signifies the public shame that follows those who oppose God.
The prophecy against Moab in Jeremiah 48 vividly illustrates God's judgment against nations that display arrogance and opposition towards Him, especially after witnessing the downfall of His own people, Judah. The imagery of drunkenness and derision underscores the complete humiliation and ruin that awaits those who defy divine authority.
c. 850-700 BC
Assyrian Expansion and Moabite Vassalage
The Neo-Assyrian Empire's growing power puts pressure on surrounding nations, including Moab, often resulting in tribute payments and periods of vassalage.
c. 700-612 BC
Assyrian and Babylonian Influence
Moab experiences shifts in regional power as the Assyrian Empire declines and the Neo-Babylonian Empire rises, impacting its political and economic independence.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation of Judah
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon conquers Judah and deports a portion of its elite. This event signifies Babylon's dominance and foreshadows future destructions.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of the Temple
Babylon destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling many more Judeans. This catastrophic event marks a low point for Judah and significantly impacts neighboring nations.
c. 550-539 BC
Rise of the Persian Empire
Cyrus the Great conquers the Babylonian Empire, establishing the vast Achaemenid Persian Empire. This shift in power eventually allows for the return of Judean exiles.
c. 520 BC
Rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple
Under Persian rule, the Jewish exiles return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, re-establishing their religious center and national identity.
Early 5th century BC— this verse
Moab Under Persian Rule
Moab, like much of the region, is incorporated into the Persian Empire, influencing its administration and regional relationships. The prophetic judgment on Moab is delivered during this period.
This passage also uses the metaphor of drunkenness to describe the confusion and instability brought by God's judgment upon a nation, mirroring the state of Moab in Jeremiah's prophecy.
Habakkuk 2:15-16Here, the prophet condemns those who give intoxicating drink to their neighbors, leading to shame and disgrace, which parallels Moab's pride and subsequent downfall described in Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 25:15-16This earlier passage from Jeremiah introduces the imagery of a 'cup of wrath' that intoxicates nations, directly connecting the idea of divine judgment as a form of intoxication that brings ruin.
Zephaniah 2:8-10This text describes Moab's taunting of Israel and Judah, highlighting the very arrogance and pride against God's people that Jeremiah condemns, and foreshadowing their own eventual humiliation.
barnesJeremiah 48:26: "Make ye him drunken: for he magnified himself against the LORD: Moab also shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision."
Make ye him drunken - With the wine-cup of God's fury, until terror deprive him of his senses.
pooleJeremiah 48:26: "Make ye him drunken: for he magnified himself against the LORD: Moab also shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision."
Make ye him drunken; either make ye him to stagger like a drunken man, (the cause being put for the effect,) or fill him with the intoxicating wine cup of God’s vengeance, with the effects of God’s wrath. For he magnified himself against the Lord; because of his pride, and exalting himself against the Lord, as if he had been stronger than he, a…
The verse vividly illustrates that God’s judgment on Moab isn't just about punishment, but also about a profound reversal of pride into shame. Moab's self-magnification against the Lord will lead to them "wallowing in their vomit"—a raw image of being utterly debased, not just defeated, but exposed in the most humiliating way imaginable. This isn't merely about losing a battle; it's about their arrogance being vomited out, leaving them an object of ridicule, a stark contrast to their former haughtiness.
This verse is part of Jeremiah's prophecy against Moab, a nation often depicted as arrogant and hostile towards God's people. Following pronouncements of judgment against Moab for their pride and their mistreatment of Israel, this verse commands the agents of God's wrath to deal a severe blow. The impending destruction is portrayed as an intoxicating vengeance, meant to humble Moab after they "magnified themselves against the LORD," acting as if they were beyond God's reach.
This verse is part of Jeremiah's prophecy against Moab, a nation often depicted as arrogant and hostile towards God's people. Following pronouncements of judgment against Moab for their pride and their mistreatment of Israel, this verse commands the agents of God's wrath to deal a severe blow. The impending destruction is portrayed as an intoxicating vengeance, meant to humble Moab after they "magnified themselves against the LORD," acting as if they were beyond God's reach.
"“Make him drunk, because he magnified himself against the LORD, so that Moab shall wallow in his vomit, and he too shall be held in derision. Was not Israel a derision to you? Was he found among thieves, that whenever you spoke of him you…" — The verse vividly illustrates that God’s judgment on Moab isn't just about punishment, but also about a profound reversal of pride into shame. Moab's self-magnification against the Lord will lead to…
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Last reviewed October 2026
