Jeremiah 48:29 Study Bible: We have heard of the pride of Moab. He is very proud; his loftiness, and his pride, and his arrogance, and the haughtiness of his heart.

Bible > Jeremiah > Chapter 48 > Verse 29

◄ Jeremiah 48:29 ►

We have heard of Moab's pomposity, his exceeding pride and conceit, his proud arrogance and haughtiness of heart.

We have heard
This phrase indicates a collective awareness or acknowledgment among the people, possibly the Israelites or surrounding nations, of Moab's reputation. The Hebrew root for "heard" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but understanding and acknowledging. This suggests that Moab's pride was not a secret but widely recognized and discussed, highlighting the pervasive nature of their arrogance.

of Moab’s pride
Moab, a nation descended from Lot, often found itself in conflict with Israel. The Hebrew word for "pride" is "גֵּאוּת" (ge'ut), which conveys a sense of majesty or exaltation. In a biblical context, pride is often associated with a false sense of security and self-reliance, contrary to the humility God desires. Moab's pride is a central theme in this chapter, serving as a warning against self-exaltation.

his exceeding pride
The repetition of the word "pride" with the qualifier "exceeding" emphasizes the intensity and extremity of Moab's arrogance. The Hebrew term "עַד" (ad) for "exceeding" suggests something that goes beyond limits. This hyperbolic language underscores the severity of Moab's sin, which is not just ordinary pride but an overwhelming, excessive form of it.

and conceit
The word "conceit" in Hebrew is "גָּאוֹן" (gaon), which can also mean "exaltation" or "majesty." It reflects an inflated self-view and an overestimation of one's abilities or status. In the biblical narrative, such conceit often leads to downfall, as it blinds individuals or nations to their vulnerabilities and need for God.

his proud arrogance
Here, "arrogance" is translated from the Hebrew "גָּאוֹן" (gaon), similar to "conceit," but with a focus on the attitude of superiority and disdain for others. This phrase highlights the self-centered nature of Moab's pride, which not only elevates itself but also looks down on others, creating a barrier to humility and repentance.

and haughtiness of heart
The "heart" in Hebrew, "לֵב" (lev), often represents the center of one's being, including thoughts, emotions, and will. "Haughtiness" is derived from "גָּבַהּ" (gavah), meaning to be high or exalted. This phrase suggests an internalized pride that affects one's entire disposition and decision-making process. It is a deep-seated arrogance that corrupts the moral and spiritual core, leading to inevitable judgment.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moab
An ancient kingdom located east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel. Moab is known for its pride and idolatry, which led to its downfall as prophesied by Jeremiah.

2. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his messages of judgment and hope. He prophesied during the final years of the kingdom of Judah, warning of impending judgment due to sin.

3. Pride
A central theme in this verse, pride is depicted as a destructive force leading to Moab's downfall. It is characterized by arrogance and self-exaltation.

4. Judgment
The context of this verse is a prophecy of judgment against Moab for its pride and idolatry, illustrating the consequences of turning away from God.

5. Prophecy
Jeremiah's role as a prophet is to convey God's messages, including warnings of judgment and calls for repentance.

Teaching Points

The Danger of Pride
Pride is a sin that leads to downfall and separation from God. It blinds individuals and nations to their need for God and His guidance.

God's Opposition to Pride
Scripture consistently shows that God opposes the proud. Believers are called to humility, recognizing their dependence on God.

The Call to Repentance
Like Moab, individuals and nations are called to repent from pride and turn back to God. Repentance opens the door to restoration and grace.

Learning from History
The account of Moab serves as a warning to avoid the pitfalls of pride. Believers can learn from past mistakes to avoid similar consequences.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets like Jeremiah play a crucial role in calling people back to God. Their messages, though often difficult, are rooted in love and a desire for restoration.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the pride of Moab, as described in Jeremiah 48:29, compare to the pride we see in today's society?

2. What are some practical steps we can take to guard against pride in our own lives?

3. How does the theme of pride and its consequences in Jeremiah 48:29 connect with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament?

4. In what ways can we respond to God's call for humility and repentance in our personal and communal lives?

5. How can the account of Moab serve as a warning and a lesson for modern-day believers and nations?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Proverbs 16:18
This verse highlights the destructive nature of pride, stating that pride precedes destruction, which aligns with the judgment pronounced on Moab.

Isaiah 16:6
Similar to Jeremiah 48:29, this verse speaks of Moab's pride, reinforcing the theme of pride leading to downfall.

James 4:6
This New Testament verse emphasizes that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, offering a contrast to Moab's pride.

Sermons

Concerning Pride

S. Conway

Jeremiah 48:29

People

Chemosh, Gamul, Jeremiah, Sihon, Zoar

Places

Arnon, Aroer, Beth-diblathaim, Bethel, Beth-gamul, Beth-meon, Bozrah, Dibon, Elealeh, Heshbon, Holon, Horonaim, Jahaz, Jahzah, Jazer, Kerioth, Kir-hareseth, Kiriathaim, Luhith, Madmen, Mephaath, Moab, Nebo, Nimrim, Sea of Jazer, Sibmah, Zoar

Topics

Arrogance, Arrogancy, Assumption, Conceit, Exceeding, Haughtiness, Heart, Height, Lifted, Loftiness, Moab, Moab-he, Opinion, Overweening, Pride, Proud, Self-exaltation

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Jeremiah 48:29

     5016   heart, fallen and redeemed
     5813   conceit
     8804   pride, examples

Jeremiah 48:29-30

     5793   arrogance
     5857   fame
     5864   futility

Library

August 8. "Be Like the Dove" (Jer. Xlviii. 28).
"Be like the dove" (Jer. xlviii. 28). Harmless as a dove, is Christ's interpretation of the beautiful emblem. And so the Spirit of God is purity itself. He cannot dwell in an unclean heart. He cannot abide in the natural mind. It was said of the anointing of old, "On man's flesh it shall not be poured." The purity which the Holy Spirit brings is like the white and spotless little plant which grows up out of the heap of manure, or the black soil, without one grain of impurity adhering to its crystalline …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

How those are to be Admonished who Decline the Office of Preaching Out of Too Great Humility, and those who Seize on it with Precipitate Haste.
(Admonition 26.) Differently to be admonished are those who, though able to preach worthily, are afraid by reason of excessive humility, and those whom imperfection or age forbids to preach, and yet precipitancy impells. For those who, though able to preach with profit, still shrink back through excessive humility are to be admonished to gather from consideration of a lesser matter how faulty they are in a greater one. For, if they were to hide from their indigent neighbours money which they possessed …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Balaam's Prophecy. (Numb. xxiv. 17-19. )
Carried by the Spirit into the far distant future, Balaam sees here how a star goeth out of Jacob and a sceptre riseth out of Israel, and how this sceptre smiteth Moab, by whose enmity the Seer had been brought from a distant region for the destruction of Israel. And not Moab only shall be smitten, but its southern neighbour, Edom, too shall be subdued, whose hatred against Israel had already been prefigured in its ancestor, and had now begun to display Itself; and In general, all the enemies of …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Meditations for the Sick.
Whilst thy sickness remains, use often, for thy comfort, these few meditations, taken from the ends wherefore God sendeth afflictions to his children. Those are ten. 1. That by afflictions God may not only correct our sins past, but also work in us a deeper loathing of our natural corruptions, and so prevent us from falling into many other sins, which otherwise we would commit; like a good father, who suffers his tender babe to scorch his finger in a candle, that he may the rather learn to beware …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links

Jeremiah 48:29 NIV
Jeremiah 48:29 NLT
Jeremiah 48:29 ESV
Jeremiah 48:29 NASB
Jeremiah 48:29 KJV

Jeremiah 48:29 Commentaries

Bible Hub