Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in the latter days, declares the LORD.” Thus far is the judgment on Moab.
English Standard Version (ESV)
All verses
Jeremiah 48:47
What does Jeremiah 48:47 mean?
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Jeremiah 48:47
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse ends with a surprising promise of restoration for Moab, a nation largely condemned throughout the chapter, revealing that even amidst severe judgment, God's mercy can extend to unexpected places and times. The closing phrase, "Thus far is the judgment of Moab," acts as a marker, indicating the end of this specific prophetic oracle while hinting at a future beyond the immediate judgment.
Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in the latter days, declares the LORD.” Thus far is the judgment on Moab.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After a lengthy series of pronouncements detailing Moab's impending judgment and destruction, this verse shifts tone. It concludes the prophecy of judgment on Moab by offering a glimmer of future restoration, suggesting that even this enemy nation will eventually experience God's mercy in "the latter days," which is understood as a concluding editorial note.
You've just read through a heavy chapter detailing Moab's destruction. But the very last verse offers a surprising glimmer of hope. How can judgment and restoration coexist?
This verse is like a final twist in a story of divine judgment. After detailing all the ways Moab will be punished for its sins and opposition to God's people, the LORD declares He will restore their fortunes.
A Promise of Restoration
The phrase 'in the latter days' points to a future restoration, not necessarily immediate relief. It suggests a long period of judgment followed by eventual recovery.
Why Restore Moab?
Commentators suggest this promise wasn't just for Moab's sake. It served multiple purposes:
Ask a follow-up
The last line of this chapter feels like a signpost. What does 'Thus far is the judgment of Moab' really mean, and who put it there?
The concluding phrase, 'Thus far is the judgment of Moab,' is widely understood by scholars to be an editorial note. It functions like a bookmark, signaling the end of a specific prophecy or prophetic section.
Marking the End of a Section
This wasn't part of Jeremiah's original spoken prophecy but was added later, likely by scribes or editors (like those who compiled the books of the Bible) to organize the prophetic material. It clearly indicates that the preceding verses contain the full prophetic message concerning Moab's judgment.
Not a Limit on Time
It's important to distinguish this phrase from a statement limiting how long the judgment would last. It doesn't mean judgment stopped at this point, but rather that the prophecy about the judgment concludes here. The preceding verse's promise of restoration shows that God's dealings extend beyond the immediate pronouncements of judgment.
Understand the original words
šûb · Hebrew Verb
A divine act of bringing a person, people, or nation back to a state of blessing, prosperity, or previous status. It often implies a reversal of divine judgment based on God's sovereign mercy.
'aḥărît yāmîm · Hebrew Noun phrase
A prophetic timeframe referring to the eschatological future, specifically the time when God will fulfill His ultimate promises. It often points toward the era of the Messiah and the consummation of history.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of God (YHWH), the self-existent One who enters into a personal, moral, and redemptive relationship with His people.
mišpāṭ · Hebrew Noun
A formal legal or judicial verdict issued by God, often involving the manifestation of His justice against wickedness or disobedience. It serves to vindicate God's holiness and demonstrate His rule over the nations.
While Jeremiah pronounces severe judgment on Moab, the final verse offers a glimmer of hope for a future restoration. This promise, given after the utter devastation of Jerusalem, served to remind the exiles that even enemy nations could experience God's mercy, pointing towards His ultimate redemptive plan.
c. 605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's First Deportation
Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar deport skilled Judeans, including Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile and a period of increasing geopolitical instability in the region.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. This catastrophic event represents the peak of God's judgment on Judah and deeply impacts the surrounding nations, including Moab.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers the Babylonian Empire. This ushers in a new era with the Persian Empire, which eventually allows exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands.
c. 4th Century BC - 1st Century BC
Moab's Gradual Decline
After the Babylonian exile, Moab gradually loses its distinct national identity and territory, being absorbed by larger empires and eventually becoming subject to Idumean and Nabataean influence.
c. 1st Century AD
Possible Spiritual Restoration
Some interpreters suggest the 'latter days' promise points to the eventual conversion of some Moabites to Judaism or, more broadly, to faith in Christ during the New Testament era.
This passage speaks of restored nations, including Moab, in the messianic age, echoing the 'latter days' promise in Jeremiah 48:47.
Ezekiel 16:53Ezekiel describes the restoration of Sodom and Samaria, linking future restoration with present judgment, a parallel to Moab's situation.
Zephaniah 2:9While Zephaniah prophesies desolation for Moab, it fits within the broader context of judgment and eventual restoration found in the prophets.
Romans 11:25-26Paul speaks of a future 'full inclusion' of Gentiles, which can be seen as a spiritual fulfillment of the promise to restore nations like Moab in the 'latter days'.
barnesJeremiah 48:47: "Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab."
Bring again the captivity - (Or, "restore the prosperity.") A similar promise is given to Egypt, Ammon, and Elam Jeremiah 46:26 ; Jeremiah 49:6 . Thus far ... Moab - An editorial note by the same hand as the last words of Jeremiah 51:64.
calvinJeremiah 48:47: "Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab."
Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.
Et reducam captivitatem Moab in fine dierum (hoc est, post longum tempus,) dicit Jehova. Hactenus judicium Moab.
Here, as we see, God gives place to his mercy, so that the Moabites should not wholly perish. At the same time, things which see…
This verse ends with a surprising promise of restoration for Moab, a nation largely condemned throughout the chapter, revealing that even amidst severe judgment, God's mercy can extend to unexpected places and times. The closing phrase, "Thus far is the judgment of Moab," acts as a marker, indicating the end of this specific prophetic oracle while hinting at a future beyond the immediate judgment.
After a lengthy series of pronouncements detailing Moab's impending judgment and destruction, this verse shifts tone. It concludes the prophecy of judgment on Moab by offering a glimmer of future restoration, suggesting that even this enemy nation will eventually experience God's mercy in "the latter days," which is understood as a concluding editorial note.
After a lengthy series of pronouncements detailing Moab's impending judgment and destruction, this verse shifts tone. It concludes the prophecy of judgment on Moab by offering a glimmer of future restoration, suggesting that even this enemy nation will eventually experience God's mercy in "the latter days," which is understood as a concluding editorial note.
"Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in the latter days, declares the LORD.” Thus far is the judgment on Moab." — This verse ends with a surprising promise of restoration for Moab, a nation largely condemned throughout the chapter, revealing that even amidst severe judgment, God's mercy can extend to unexpected…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026