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)
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Jeremiah 48:27
What does Jeremiah 48:27 mean?
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Jeremiah 48:27
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Moab's cruel mockery of Israel is not just insensitive; it reveals a profound misunderstanding of justice. God asks, "Was he found among thieves?" – implying Israel, despite its flaws, wasn't a common criminal deserving such contempt. This wasn't just head-shaking in derision, but a posture of triumphant malice over a neighbor's suffering, a response God would not let stand.
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)
The prophet is denouncing Moab for its arrogant rejoicing over Israel's (both the northern kingdom and Judah) downfall. Moab is being questioned as to why they felt entitled to treat Israel with such contempt and mockery, as if they were common criminals caught red-handed. This verse highlights Moab's inappropriate glee and scorn at their neighbor's suffering, a response that God sees as deeply unjust and deserving of judgment.
Imagine seeing someone you know trip and fall, and instead of helping, you laugh and point. That's what Moab did to Israel, and God noticed.
Jeremiah 48:27 lays bare the sin of Moab: they reveled in Israel's downfall. The verse asks pointed questions: 'Was not Israel a derision to you?' and 'Was he found among thieves?' These aren't just rhetorical. They highlight that Israel, despite its flaws, didn't deserve the level of contempt and scorn Moab heaped upon them.
God Sees Our Reactions
God is calling out Moab for their reaction to Israel's suffering. The phrase 'whenever you spoke of him you wagged your head' paints a vivid picture of smug satisfaction and contempt. This wasn't just a private thought; it was an outward expression of glee. God considers such behavior deeply offensive, especially since Moab and Israel were related peoples.
Think about how you'd feel if someone slandered your family or friends. God's passion for His people's honor is even greater.
The core of this prophetic indictment is that Moab's mockery wasn't just against Israel; it was, in a way, against God Himself.
A Case of Mistaken Identity?
The question, 'Was he found among thieves?' implies that Moab was treating Israel as if they were common criminals, deserving of utter shame. However, the implied answer is 'no.' While Israel certainly had its sins and faced God's discipline, they weren't inherently 'thieves' in their relationship with Moab.
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Divine Retribution
God declares that this scorn will not stand. He identifies with His people's suffering and humiliation. When people mock and rejoice over God's people, they are essentially mocking God's sovereignty and His purposes. Therefore, God promises judgment on Moab, ensuring that their smugness turns to shame, just as they had caused others to feel shame.
Moab's exultation over Judah's fall is particularly egregious because Israel, despite its own failings before God, had not been a common thief or aggressor towards Moab. This makes their mockery an unwarranted and contemptible act, bringing God's judgment upon Moab.
c. 722 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Northern Kingdom
Shalmaneser V of Assyria conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its inhabitants. This event marked a significant downfall for the ten northern tribes.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation of Judah
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon begins his campaigns against Judah, initiating the first major deportation of Judean nobles and skilled workers to Babylon. This event signaled the beginning of Judah's decline.
c. 587-586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar II conquers Jerusalem, destroys the Temple, and deports the majority of the remaining population to Babylon. This marked the end of the Kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian Exile.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, bringing an end to the Babylonian Empire. This event paved the way for the return of Jewish exiles to Jerusalem.
This passage also condemns nations for rejoicing over Israel's destruction, highlighting that such malicious glee is an offense to God, just as it is in Jeremiah 48:27.
Zephaniah 2:8This verse directly parallels Moab's taunting and derision of Israel, showing that this pattern of mocking God's people has a history and will face divine judgment.
Psalm 22:7The imagery of people wagging their heads in scorn at someone in distress is powerfully depicted here, mirroring the contempt shown to Israel by Moab.
Obadiah 1:10-14Similar to Jeremiah 48, Obadiah condemns the nations (specifically Edom) for acting violently and rejoicing over Judah's downfall, emphasizing God's defense of His people.
Matthew 27:39This New Testament passage shows the same scornful head-wagging gesture directed at Jesus during His crucifixion, illustrating the enduring human tendency to mock suffering, even when undeserved.
barnesJeremiah 48:27: "For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy."
Was he found ... - Or, "was he found among thieves that so often as thou speakest of him" thou waggest thy head? - in contempt for a fallen enemy.
gillJeremiah 48:27: "For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy."
For was not Israel a derision unto thee?.... In the time of his calamity, when the ten tribes were carried captive by the Assyrians some years ago; and of late the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin by the Chaldeans; the Moabites rejoiced at this, which they ought not to have done, upon the common principles of humanity; and especially since they were not o…
Moab's cruel mockery of Israel is not just insensitive; it reveals a profound misunderstanding of justice. God asks, "Was he found among thieves?" – implying Israel, despite its flaws, wasn't a common criminal deserving such contempt. This wasn't just head-shaking in derision, but a posture of triumphant malice over a neighbor's suffering, a response God would not let stand.
The prophet is denouncing Moab for its arrogant rejoicing over Israel's (both the northern kingdom and Judah) downfall. Moab is being questioned as to why they felt entitled to treat Israel with such contempt and mockery, as if they were common criminals caught red-handed. This verse highlights Moab's inappropriate glee and scorn at their neighbor's suffering, a response that God sees as deeply unjust and deserving of judgment.
The prophet is denouncing Moab for its arrogant rejoicing over Israel's (both the northern kingdom and Judah) downfall. Moab is being questioned as to why they felt entitled to treat Israel with such contempt and mockery, as if they were common criminals caught red-handed. This verse highlights Moab's inappropriate glee and scorn at their neighbor's suffering, a response that God sees as deeply unjust and deserving of judgment.
"Was not Israel a derision to you? Was he found among thieves, that whenever you spoke of him you wagged your head?" — Moab's cruel mockery of Israel is not just insensitive; it reveals a profound misunderstanding of justice. God asks, "Was he found among thieves?" – implying Israel, despite its flaws, wasn't a commo…
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Last reviewed October 2026