Jeremiah 48:31
Therefore I wail for Moab; I cry out for all Moab; for the men of Kir-hareseth I mourn.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's striking here is how Jeremiah's heart aches for Moab, even after all their defiance. The prophet isn't just delivering a divine judgment; he's expressing genuine grief, lamenting the destruction of an entire people and specifically mourning for the inhabitants of Kir-hareseth, a significant city, as if they were his own. This shows a prophet's heart breaking over the consequences of sin, not just for the sake of obedience, but out of deep compassion.
Jeremiah has just delivered a devastating prophecy against Moab, detailing their impending judgment and ruin due to their pride and past offenses against God's people. This lament, however, shifts from divine judgment to human sorrow, as the prophet expresses his deep personal anguish and empathy for the suffering Moabites, specifically mourning the destruction of their stronghold, Kir-hareseth. This outpouring of grief, even for an enemy nation, highlights the prophet's compassionate heart and the profound tragedy of war and destruction, as described in a passage that closely echoes Isaiah's earlier prophecy.
Why would God's messenger weep for a nation that defied and even mocked his people? This verse reveals a profound depth to prophetic ministry.
Jeremiah's lament for Moab might seem strange. After all, Moab had a history of hostility towards Israel, even rejoicing in their misfortunes. Yet, Jeremiah expresses deep sorrow for them.
An Echo of Divine Heartbreak
This isn't just a personal outpouring; it reflects God's own heart. While judgment is declared, the emotional response of the prophet mirrors God's sorrow over sin and destruction. It's a reminder that God's judgment is never capricious; it's a response to rebellion, but it's also accompanied by a profound grief for the loss that sin brings.
Empathy Beyond Borders
Jeremiah's compassion extends to 'all Moab' and specifically 'the men of Kir-hareseth.' This highlights an important aspect of God's concern: it's for individuals, for people, regardless of their nationality or their past actions. The prophet's tears are for the human cost of sin and judgment.
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This specific city, Kir-hareseth, becomes a focal point in the lament. What makes this place and its people so significant in the prophecy?
Kir-hareseth, also known as Kir-hareseth or Kir-heres, was a significant Moabite city, likely a stronghold.
A Place of Cultural Value
Some scholars suggest the original text in Isaiah 16:7, which this passage echoes, referred to 'raisin cakes of Kir-heres.' These cakes, made from pressed grapes, were likely a famous product of the region. The loss of these specific items, celebrated and perhaps even exported, signifies the complete destruction of Moab's prosperity and livelihood.
Humanizing the Catastrophe
By focusing on 'the men of Kir-heres,' the prophecy brings the abstract destruction of a nation down to the level of individual lives. It's not just buildings and land that are lost, but people, families, and their specific ways of life. The mourning is for the tangible human impact of God's judgment.
Understand the original words
yālal · Hebrew Verb
To express grief or deep sorrow, often accompanied by loud lamentation; frequently used in the Bible regarding judgment or impending disaster.
zāʿaq · Hebrew Verb
To express intense sorrow, grief, or distress, often through weeping or lamenting; in a prophetic context, it reflects the compassionate heart of God or the prophet for the plight of humanity.
hāgâ · Hebrew Verb
To express sorrow or grief, often publicly or ceremonially; it signifies a reaction to death, destruction, or divine judgment.
Jeremiah's lament over Moab is set against the backdrop of escalating empires—first Assyrian, then Babylonian—which eventually led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people. This prophecy reflects not only divine judgment but also a prophet's deep sorrow over the impending doom of a neighboring nation, even one that had previously shown animosity.
c. 730 BC
Assyrian Campaigns in Moab
The Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III campaigns in the region, likely impacting Moabite territories and potentially leading to tribute or subjugation. This period marks increasing external pressure on the smaller kingdoms of the Levant.
c. 715-700 BC
Assyrian and Babylonian Influence
Assyria continues to exert dominance, with Babylonian rulers also rising in power. Moab, situated on important trade routes, would have been subject to the political and economic shifts of these empires.
c. 680 BC
Assyrian Hegemony
Under Esarhaddon and later Ashurbanipal, the Assyrian Empire reaches its zenith, controlling vast territories. Moabite autonomy would have been severely limited during this time.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation of Judah
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon defeats the Egyptians and Assyrians, establishing Neo-Babylonian dominance. He deports some Judean nobles, marking the beginning of Judah's Babylonian exile and signaling a shift in regional powers.
c. 582 BC— this verse
Babylonian Campaigns in the Region
Following the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, Nebuchadnezzar II likely conducted further campaigns to consolidate Babylonian control over surrounding regions, including potentially Moab.
This passage is a direct source for Jeremiah's prophecy, presenting a very similar lament for Moab and the city of Kir-hareseth, highlighting the depth of their impending destruction.
Isaiah 15:5This chapter describes a similar widespread wailing and lamentation for Moab, emphasizing the prophet's sorrow over the devastation of its people and cities.
Ezekiel 25:3While different in specific context, Ezekiel's prophecy against the Ammonites, who were close neighbors and often allied with Moab, shows a similar divine judgment and prophetic sorrow for a people's downfall.
Luke 19:41-42Jesus wept over Jerusalem, expressing profound sorrow for the city's coming destruction, mirroring Jeremiah's compassionate lament for Moab despite their sinfulness.
barnesJeremiah 48:31: "Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kirheres."
Mine heart ... - Rather, "there shall be mourning for" etc.
pooleJeremiah 48:31: "Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kirheres."
Though wicked men rejoice and triumph in the ruin of good men, yet their charity suffereth them not to do the like, but engageth them to mourn for them in the day of their affliction. Jeremiah declareth his compassion toward these Moabites, though they derided the Jews when they were carried into captivity. nay, he mourns upon the prospect of their misery at some di…
What's striking here is how Jeremiah's heart aches for Moab, even after all their defiance. The prophet isn't just delivering a divine judgment; he's expressing genuine grief, lamenting the destruction of an entire people and specifically mourning for the inhabitants of Kir-hareseth, a significant city, as if they were his own. This shows a prophet's heart breaking over the consequences of sin, not just for the sake of obedience, but out of deep compassion.
Jeremiah has just delivered a devastating prophecy against Moab, detailing their impending judgment and ruin due to their pride and past offenses against God's people. This lament, however, shifts from divine judgment to human sorrow, as the prophet expresses his deep personal anguish and empathy for the suffering Moabites, specifically mourning the destruction of their stronghold, Kir-hareseth. This outpouring of grief, even for an enemy nation, highlights the prophet's compassionate heart and the profound tragedy of war and destruction, as described in a passage that closely echoes Isaiah's earlier prophecy.
Jeremiah has just delivered a devastating prophecy against Moab, detailing their impending judgment and ruin due to their pride and past offenses against God's people. This lament, however, shifts from divine judgment to human sorrow, as the prophet expresses his deep personal anguish and empathy for the suffering Moabites, specifically mourning the destruction of their stronghold, Kir-hareseth. This outpouring of grief, even for an enemy nation, highlights the prophet's compassionate heart and the profound tragedy of war and destruction, as described in a passage that closely echoes Isaiah's earlier prophecy.
"Therefore I wail for Moab; I cry out for all Moab; for the men of Kir-hareseth I mourn." — What's striking here is how Jeremiah's heart aches for Moab, even after all their defiance. The prophet isn't just delivering a divine judgment; he's expressing genuine grief, lamenting the destructi…
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