King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 48:12 Mean?

Jeremiah 48:12 in the King James Version says “Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will send unto him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander, a...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 48 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will send unto him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander, and shall empty his vessels, and break their bottles.”

Jeremiah 48:12 · KJV

Context

10

Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood. deceitfully: or, negligently

11

Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed. remained: Heb. stood

12

Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will send unto him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander, and shall empty his vessels, and break their bottles.

13

And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their confidence.

14

How say ye, We are mighty and strong men for the war?

Read Jeremiah 48 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I will send unto him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander (שָׁלַחְתִּי־לוֹ צֹעִים וְצֵעֻהוּ)—The Hebrew tso'im (wanderers/tilters) uses wine-making imagery: invaders will 'tilt' Moab like workers pouring wine from jar to jar, empty his vessels, and break their bottles (נִבְלֵיהֶם יְנַפֵּצוּ). Moab had been undisturbed like wine left on its sediment (v. 11), developing a false sense of security.

The metaphor contrasts Moab's stagnant complacency with God's disruptive judgment. Wine left on its dregs becomes bitter; nations that rest in prosperity without repentance face violent upheaval. The Babylonian invasion would shatter Moab's containers of self-reliance, exposing the worthlessness of idolatry and military might.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah prophesied this oracle against Moab (c. 605-586 BC) before Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian campaigns devastated Transjordan. Moab, descended from Lot (Genesis 19:37), had long-standing hostility with Israel. The wine-making metaphor would resonate with Moab's agricultural economy in the fertile plateau east of the Dead Sea.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'sediment' of complacency or self-reliance has settled in your spiritual life because you've been undisturbed too long?
  2. How does God's 'tilting' judgment serve a refining purpose, even when it involves breaking our comfortable containers?
  3. In what ways might prosperity and peace become spiritually dangerous if they lead to stagnation rather than growth?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
לָכֵ֞ן1 of 14
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

הִנֵּֽה2 of 14
H2009

lo!

יָמִ֤ים3 of 14

“Therefore behold the days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

בָּאִים֙4 of 14

“come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

נְאֻם5 of 14

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֔ה6 of 14

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְשִׁלַּחְתִּי7 of 14

“that I will send”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

ל֥וֹ8 of 14
H0
וְצֵעֻ֑הוּ9 of 14

“that shall cause him to wander”

H6808

to tip over (for the purpose of spilling or pouring out), i.e., (figuratively) depopulate; by implication, to imprison or conquer; (reflexive) to lie

וְצֵעֻ֑הוּ10 of 14

“that shall cause him to wander”

H6808

to tip over (for the purpose of spilling or pouring out), i.e., (figuratively) depopulate; by implication, to imprison or conquer; (reflexive) to lie

וְכֵלָ֣יו11 of 14

“his vessels”

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

יָרִ֔יקוּ12 of 14

“and shall empty”

H7324

to pour out (literally or figuratively), i.e., empty

וְנִבְלֵיהֶ֖ם13 of 14

“their bottles”

H5035

a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); also a lyre (as having a body of like form)

יְנַפֵּֽצוּ׃14 of 14

“and break”

H5310

to dash to pieces, or scatter

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 48:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 48:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nahum 2:2Jeremiah 48:38Isaiah 30:14Ezekiel 25:9-10Jeremiah 48:11Jeremiah 48:8

Places in This Verse

Moab 1Region · Modern: Kerak · 31.18°N, 35.70°E162 verses across 22 books
View all places in Jeremiah 48 →

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