Terror, pit, and snare are before you, O inhabitant of Moab! declares the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jeremiah 48:43
What does Jeremiah 48:43 mean?
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Jeremiah 48:43
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What's easy to miss here is the deliberate progression: first, the overwhelming terror that paralyzes, then the pitfall that ensnares even those fleeing, and finally, the snare that catches those who manage to escape the pit. This isn't just a list of bad things; it illustrates that every attempt to escape God's judgment is met with yet another, inescapable trap.
Terror, pit, and snare are before you, O inhabitant of Moab! declares the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah has just delivered a lengthy oracle detailing Moab's impending destruction, emphasizing their pride and foolish reliance on their gods. This verse serves as a final, chilling summary of the inevitable judgment that awaits them, declaring that no matter how they try to flee or hide, ruin will find them. The prophet then goes on to explain how these dangers will trap them, concluding with the assurance that God's judgment is coming and will ultimately restore His people.
The prophet uses three words to describe Moab's impending fate: terror, pit, and snare. What makes this specific combination so powerful?
Jeremiah employs a striking set of terms that paint a vivid picture of complete destruction.
No Escape
Together, these words suggest a relentless progression of disaster. First, overwhelming fear paralyzes; then, unseen traps cause ruin; finally, inescapable snares ensure destruction. The enemy is everywhere, and there is no safe place to hide.
The phrase 'declares the LORD' might seem simple, but it carries immense weight in this context. What does it tell us about the source and certainty of Moab's doom?
The concluding words, 'declares the LORD,' are crucial. They elevate this prophecy from mere political commentary to a divine declaration.
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The Divine Decree
Understand the original words
pachad · Hebrew Noun
An overwhelming state of dread or alarm. In the Bible, it is often a divine judgment or the consequence of defying God, leading to helplessness and spiritual paralysis.
pach · Hebrew Noun
A device or trap designed to catch prey, often used metaphorically to describe a situation of inescapable danger or the judgment of God that catches the wicked unawares.
Jeremiah's prophecy against Moab utilizes imagery of traps and inescapable dangers, reflecting the comprehensive destruction that befell the nation. This vivid language underscores that no matter how they tried to flee or hide, divine judgment was inevitable, a theme reinforced by the repeated historical cycles of conquest and exile experienced by nations in the ancient Near East.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Israel
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, marking a period of intense geopolitical upheaval and demonstrating the destructive power of major empires against smaller nations. Moab, situated to the south of Israel, would have witnessed this devastating event.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deports a portion of the Judean elite, including Daniel, to Babylon. This event signifies the rising power of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which would later dominate the region.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Judah
The Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling most of the remaining population of Judah. This is a catastrophic event for God's people, signaling the end of the Davidic monarchy.
c. 540 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great unites the Medes and Persians, laying the foundation for the Achaemenid Empire. His conquests will soon lead to the fall of Babylon and a new geopolitical order.
c. 539 BC
Fall of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, bringing an end to the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This shifts regional power and sets the stage for the return of exiles to Jerusalem.
Late 6th Century BC— this verse
Prophecies Against Moab Delivered
Jeremiah delivers prophecies concerning Moab, including chapter 48. These prophecies speak of impending judgment and utter destruction for Moab, framing the nation's sins as deserving of divine wrath.
167-164 BC
Maccabean Revolt Begins
The Maccabean Revolt against Seleucid rule begins in Judea. While occurring centuries after Jeremiah's prophecy, this period saw significant conflict in the region, and Moabite territories were sometimes involved in these regional struggles.
This passage uses the same imagery of 'terror,' 'pit,' and 'snare' to describe the judgment coming upon the whole earth, highlighting that inescapable danger is a theme throughout Scripture.
Isaiah 24:18This verse directly follows the description of terror, pit, and snare, explaining that the 'sluices from above' are opened and the 'foundations of the earth' give way, emphasizing the completeness of the impending destruction.
Lamentations 3:47This verse speaks of 'terror and the pit' and 'desolation and destruction,' echoing the language of Jeremiah and showing how this imagery of inescapable danger was used to describe profound distress and ruin.
Psalm 11:1This psalm questions the wisdom of fleeing to the mountains like a bird, contrasting it with the Lord's presence in His holy temple, which provides a theological counterpoint to the desperate flight implied in Jeremiah's prophecy.
Luke 21:34Jesus warns His followers to be vigilant and to escape the coming judgment, using language that implies a need for discernment to avoid falling into traps, mirroring the inescapable dangers described for Moab.
clarkeJeremiah 48:43: "Fear, and the pit, and the snare, shall be upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the LORD."
Fear, and the pit, and the snare - See the note on Isaiah 24:17 , Isaiah 24:18 .
pooleJeremiah 48:43: "Fear, and the pit, and the snare, shall be upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the LORD."
These three words, fear, pit, snare, signify no more than a variety of dangers that should be on all sides of them, so as if any escaped one danger, he should presently meet with another, for this was the time when the Lord was resolved to punish all the inhabitants of the land of Moab.
What's easy to miss here is the deliberate progression: first, the overwhelming terror that paralyzes, then the pitfall that ensnares even those fleeing, and finally, the snare that catches those who manage to escape the pit. This isn't just a list of bad things; it illustrates that every attempt to escape God's judgment is met with yet another, inescapable trap.
Jeremiah has just delivered a lengthy oracle detailing Moab's impending destruction, emphasizing their pride and foolish reliance on their gods. This verse serves as a final, chilling summary of the inevitable judgment that awaits them, declaring that no matter how they try to flee or hide, ruin will find them. The prophet then goes on to explain how these dangers will trap them, concluding with the assurance that God's judgment is coming and will ultimately restore His people.
Jeremiah has just delivered a lengthy oracle detailing Moab's impending destruction, emphasizing their pride and foolish reliance on their gods. This verse serves as a final, chilling summary of the inevitable judgment that awaits them, declaring that no matter how they try to flee or hide, ruin will find them. The prophet then goes on to explain how these dangers will trap them, concluding with the assurance that God's judgment is coming and will ultimately restore His people.
"Terror, pit, and snare are before you, O inhabitant of Moab! declares the LORD." — What's easy to miss here is the deliberate progression: first, the overwhelming terror that paralyzes, then the pitfall that ensnares even those fleeing, and finally, the snare that catches those who…
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Last reviewed October 2026