What does Jeremiah 48:4 mean?

"Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard." - Jeremiah 48:4

"Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard." - Jeremiah 48:4

Jeremiah 48:4 (KJV) says, "Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard."

To understand the depths of this verse, it is essential to have an understanding of the historical and cultural context in which it was written. The people of Moab were descended from Lot, the nephew of Abraham, and inhabited the mountainous region east of the Dead Sea, in what is now the modern-day country of Jordan. They were known for their proud and arrogant nature, and had a long-standing enmity with the Israelites, stemming from the time of the Exodus.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is delivering a message of judgment against Moab. The destruction of Moab had been prophesied by Jeremiah as a result of their pride and arrogance, and their refusal to acknowledge and obey the one true God. The "little ones" referred to in the verse speak to the innocent and vulnerable members of the Moabite community, who have caused a cry to be heard due to the devastation and destruction that has come upon their land.

One of the key themes in this verse is the concept of divine judgment. Throughout the Bible, we see numerous instances of God bringing judgment upon nations and peoples who have turned away from Him and engaged in wickedness and idolatry. The destruction of Moab serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of living in accordance with God's will.

Another theme that emerges from this verse is the concept of the innocent suffering for the sins of the guilty. The "little ones" in this verse represent the innocent and vulnerable members of society who often bear the brunt of the consequences of the actions of their leaders and elders. This serves as a powerful reminder of the responsibility that leaders and those in positions of power have towards those under their care.

Symbolism also plays a significant role in this verse. The destruction of Moab represents the consequences of pride and arrogance, as well as the judgment of God upon those who refuse to repent and turn from their wicked ways. The cry of the "little ones" symbolizes the pain and suffering of the innocent, and serves as a poignant reminder of the collateral damage that occurs in times of judgment and destruction.

Overall, Jeremiah 48:4 is a powerful and sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of living in accordance with God's will. It serves as a warning to all who hear it to heed the call to repentance and live lives that are pleasing to God. The verse also highlights the timeless truth of the innocent suffering for the sins of the guilty, and the accountability that leaders and those in positions of power have towards those under their care. Ultimately, it points to the justice and righteousness of God, and the need for all to turn to Him in humility and obedience.

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Jeremiah 48:4 Artwork

Jeremiah 48:4 - "Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard."

Jeremiah 48:4 - "Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard."

"Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard." - Jeremiah 48:4

"Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard." - Jeremiah 48:4

Jeremiah 48:22 - "And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Beth-diblathaim,"

Jeremiah 48:22 - "And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Beth-diblathaim,"

Jeremiah 48:6 - "Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness."

Jeremiah 48:6 - "Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness."

Jeremiah 48:16 - "The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast."

Jeremiah 48:16 - "The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast."

Jeremiah 48:23 - "And upon Kiriathaim, and upon Beth-gamul, and upon Beth-meon,"

Jeremiah 48:23 - "And upon Kiriathaim, and upon Beth-gamul, and upon Beth-meon,"

Jeremiah 48:14 - "¶ How say ye, We are mighty and strong men for the war?"

Jeremiah 48:14 - "¶ How say ye, We are mighty and strong men for the war?"

Jeremiah 48:3 - "A voice of crying shall be from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction."

Jeremiah 48:3 - "A voice of crying shall be from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction."

Jeremiah 48:25 - "The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD."

Jeremiah 48:25 - "The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD."

Jeremiah 48:13 - "And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Beth-el their confidence."

Jeremiah 48:13 - "And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Beth-el their confidence."

Jeremiah 48:20 - "Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,"

Jeremiah 48:20 - "Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,"

Jeremiah 48:21 - "And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,"

Jeremiah 48:21 - "And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,"

Jeremiah 48:43 - "Fear, and the pit, and the snare, shall be upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the LORD."

Jeremiah 48:43 - "Fear, and the pit, and the snare, shall be upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the LORD."

Jeremiah 48:24 - "And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near."

Jeremiah 48:24 - "And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near."

Jeremiah 48:30 - "I know his wrath, saith the LORD; but it shall not be so; his lies shall not so effect it."

Jeremiah 48:30 - "I know his wrath, saith the LORD; but it shall not be so; his lies shall not so effect it."

Jeremiah 48:42 - "And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the LORD."

Jeremiah 48:42 - "And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the LORD."

Psalms 48:4 - "For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together."

Psalms 48:4 - "For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together."

Jeremiah 48:19 - "O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and espy; ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, and say, What is done?"

Jeremiah 48:19 - "O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and espy; ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, and say, What is done?"

Jeremiah 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."

Jeremiah 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."

Jeremiah 48:40 - "For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab."

Jeremiah 48:40 - "For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab."

Jeremiah 48:10 - "Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood."

Jeremiah 48:10 - "Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood."

Jeremiah 48:41 - "Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men's hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs."

Jeremiah 48:41 - "Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men's hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs."

Jeremiah 48:37 - "For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth."

Jeremiah 48:37 - "For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth."

Jeremiah 48:27 - "For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy."

Jeremiah 48:27 - "For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy."

Jeremiah 48:46 - "Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives."

Jeremiah 48:46 - "Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives."

"Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness." - Jeremiah 48:6

"Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness." - Jeremiah 48:6

"And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Beth-diblathaim," - Jeremiah 48:22

"And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Beth-diblathaim," - Jeremiah 48:22

Jeremiah 48:5 - "For in the going up of Luhith continual weeping shall go up; for in the going down of Horonaim the enemies have heard a cry of destruction."

Jeremiah 48:5 - "For in the going up of Luhith continual weeping shall go up; for in the going down of Horonaim the enemies have heard a cry of destruction."

Jeremiah 48:28 - "O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock, and be like the dove that maketh her nest in the sides of the hole's mouth."

Jeremiah 48:28 - "O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock, and be like the dove that maketh her nest in the sides of the hole's mouth."

Jeremiah 48:31 - "Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kir-heres."

Jeremiah 48:31 - "Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kir-heres."