Woe to you, O Moab! The people of Chemosh have perished; for your sons have been taken into exile and your daughters have gone into captivity. Woe to you, O Moab!This phrase is a pronouncement of judgment against Moab, a nation located east of the Dead Sea. Moab was often in conflict with Israel, and its people were descendants of Lot ( Genesis 19:37). The use of "woe" indicates a lamentation or a severe warning of impending doom. This judgment is consistent with other prophetic declarations against nations that opposed Israel (Isaiah 15-16, Amos 2:1-3). The people of Chemosh have perished;
Chemosh was the national deity of the Moabites, often associated with war and destruction. The mention of Chemosh highlights the spiritual apostasy of Moab, as they relied on a false god for protection. This phrase indicates the futility of trusting in idols, as seen in other scriptures where God demonstrates His power over false gods (1 Kings 11:7, 2 Kings 23:13). The perishing of Chemosh's people signifies the complete overthrow of Moab's religious and cultural identity. for your sons have been taken into exile
Exile was a common consequence for nations defeated in ancient times, often used to break the spirit and continuity of a people. The taking of sons into exile represents the loss of future generations and the strength of the nation. This is reminiscent of the Babylonian exile of Judah, where the people were removed from their land as a form of divine judgment (2 Kings 24:14-16). and your daughters have gone into captivity.
The captivity of daughters underscores the totality of Moab's defeat, affecting both men and women. In ancient cultures, the capture of women often implied a loss of honor and security for the nation. This phrase reflects the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, as seen in other prophetic writings where both genders suffer the consequences of national sin (Isaiah 3:16-26). The captivity of daughters also symbolizes the end of Moab's lineage and cultural continuity. Persons / Places / Events 1. MoabAn ancient kingdom located east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel. Moabites were descendants of Lot through his elder daughter. 2. ChemoshThe national deity of the Moabites, often associated with war and destruction. Worship of Chemosh was condemned by the Israelites. 3. Exile and CaptivityRefers to the historical event where the Moabites were conquered and their people taken away from their homeland, symbolizing divine judgment. Teaching Points The Consequences of IdolatryMoab's reliance on Chemosh led to their downfall. Idolatry, in any form, leads to spiritual and often physical ruin. Divine Judgment is JustGod's judgment on Moab was a result of their persistent sin and rebellion. It serves as a reminder of God's righteousness and justice. The Importance of RepentanceThe fate of Moab underscores the need for repentance and turning away from false gods to the one true God. God's Sovereignty Over NationsThe prophecy against Moab demonstrates God's control over all nations and His ability to execute His will. Hope Beyond JudgmentWhile the immediate context is judgment, the broader biblical account offers hope and restoration for those who turn to God. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the downfall of Moab teach us about the dangers of idolatry in our own lives? 2. How can we apply the lessons of divine judgment and justice in our understanding of current world events? 3. In what ways does the account of Moab challenge us to examine our own allegiances and priorities? 4. How does the theme of exile and captivity in Jeremiah 48:46 relate to the broader biblical account of redemption? 5. What steps can we take to ensure that we are not placing our trust in "modern-day Chemoshes" but in God alone? Connections to Other Scriptures Numbers 21:29This verse also speaks of Moab's downfall and the people of Chemosh, highlighting the recurring theme of judgment against Moab. Isaiah 15-16These chapters provide a parallel prophecy against Moab, emphasizing the nation's pride and subsequent downfall. 2 Kings 3:27Describes a Moabite king sacrificing his son to Chemosh, illustrating the depth of their idolatry and desperation. People Chemosh, Gamul, Jeremiah, Sihon, ZoarPlaces 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, ZoarTopics Captive, Captives, Captivity, Chemosh, Daughters, Destroyed, Exile, Moab, O, Overcome, Perished, Perisheth, Prisoners, Servants, Sons, Sorrow, Undone, Wo, Woe, YoursDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 48:46 5246 captivity
8747 false gods 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 48:46 NIVJeremiah 48:46 NLTJeremiah 48:46 ESVJeremiah 48:46 NASBJeremiah 48:46 KJV
Jeremiah 48:46 Commentaries
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