Breakdown of Jeremiah 48:31-33

"Therefore I wail for Moab; I cry out for all Moab; for the men of Kir-hareseth I mourn. More than for Jazer I weep for you, O vine of Sibmah! Your branches passed over the sea, reached to the Sea of Jaze…" — Jeremiah's intense lament for Moab, even for the specific people of Kir-hareseth, isn't just sympathy for a fallen nation; it highlights the profound, almost overwhelming sorrow that comes with witne…

Jeremiah 48:31-33 Meaning Explained

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Jeremiah 48:31-33

Therefore I wail for Moab; I cry out for all Moab; for the men of Kir-hareseth I mourn. More than for Jazer I weep for you, O vine of Sibmah! Your branches passed over the sea, reached to the Sea of Jazer; on your summer fruits and your grapes the destroyer has fallen. Gladness and joy have been taken away from the fruitful land of Moab; I have made the wine cease from the winepresses; no one treads them with shouts of joy; the shouting is not the shout of joy.

English Standard Version (ESV)

Jeremiah's intense lament for Moab, even for the specific people of Kir-hareseth, isn't just sympathy for a fallen nation; it highlights the profound, almost overwhelming sorrow that comes with witnessing God's judgment fall upon even those who have opposed His people. The prophet's heart literally aches, revealing that God's justice, while firm, is never devoid of the deep pain that destruction brings.

What Jeremiah 48:31-33 means

Jeremiah has just delivered a harsh prophecy against Moab, detailing their coming destruction due to their pride. In response, the prophet's heart is moved to lament their fate, even though Moab deserved their judgment. He expresses his sorrow not just for the people in general, but specifically for the inhabitants of Kir-heres, a significant city within Moab, highlighting the widespread devastation to come.

A Prophet's Shared Grief

Why would Jeremiah weep for a nation that opposed God's people? Discover the depth of prophetic empathy.

It might seem strange for a prophet to express sorrow for a nation like Moab, especially one that had often been hostile to Israel. However, this passage reveals a profound aspect of prophetic ministry: empathy that transcends national boundaries.

A Human Heart in Divine Service

Jeremiah isn't just a messenger; he's a human being with feelings. While God's judgment is declared, the prophet's own heart is moved by the impending destruction. This doesn't mean he condones Moab's sin, but rather that he feels the weight of human suffering, even among those who are enemies.

Beyond Personal Enmity

This compassion isn't based on Moab's actions toward Israel, but on the sheer devastation of a people. The prophet's 'wail' and 'cry' reflect a deep sorrow for the loss of life and the ruin of a society. It shows that God's concern, and therefore the concern of His servants, extends to all of humanity.

Kir-hareseth: A Symbol of Loss

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What Jeremiah 48:31-33 means

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Ask Sola things like:

“What does "wail" mean in the original Hebrew?”
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What Jeremiah 48:31-33 means

A Prophet's Shared Grief

Kir-hareseth: A Symbol of Loss

Ask Sola about this verse

What Jeremiah 48:31-33 means

A Prophet's Shared Grief

Kir-hareseth: A Symbol of Loss

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