King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 48:15 Mean?

Jeremiah 48:15 in the King James Version says “Moab is spoiled, and gone up out of her cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, saith the King,...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 48 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Moab is spoiled, and gone up out of her cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts. his: Heb. the choice of”

Jeremiah 48:15 · KJV

Context

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?

15

Moab is spoiled, and gone up out of her cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts. his: Heb. the choice of

16

The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast.

17

All ye that are about him, bemoan him; and all ye that know his name, say, How is the strong staff broken, and the beautiful rod!

Read Jeremiah 48 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moab is spoiled, and gone up out of her cities (שָׁדַד מוֹאָב וְעָרֶיהָ עָלָה)—The verb shadad (devastated/plundered) announces total military defeat. His chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter (וּמִבְחַר בַּחוּרָיו יָרְדוּ לַטָּבַח)—Moab's elite warriors (mivchar bachurav, choice of young men) descend to tabach (slaughter), the same word used for ritual animal sacrifice, suggesting their deaths are divine judgment, not merely military defeat.

Saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts (נְאֻם־הַמֶּלֶךְ יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת שְׁמוֹ)—This title emphasizes Yahweh's sovereign authority over all earthly kingdoms. Moab's king is nothing before Yahweh Tseva'ot, the Commander of heaven's armies. Human monarchy bows to divine kingship.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah wrote during the neo-Babylonian empire's expansion under Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 BC). Archaeological evidence shows Moabite cities were destroyed during this period, with many sites abandoned. The phrase 'LORD of hosts' appears frequently in prophetic literature confronting false gods and earthly powers with the reality of Yahweh's supreme authority.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing God as 'the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts' relativize all earthly powers and authorities?
  2. What does it mean that the strongest and best of Moab ('chosen young men') could not escape divine judgment?
  3. In what ways does God's sovereign kingship provide comfort to the oppressed while warning the proud and powerful?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
שֻׁדַּ֤ד1 of 13

“is spoiled”

H7703

properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage

מוֹאָב֙2 of 13

“Moab”

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

וְעָרֶ֣יהָ3 of 13

“out of her cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

עָלָ֔ה4 of 13

“and gone up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

וּמִבְחַ֥ר5 of 13

“and his chosen”

H4005

select, i.e., best

בַּֽחוּרָ֖יו6 of 13

“young men”

H970

properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)

יָרְד֣וּ7 of 13

“are gone down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

לַטָּ֑בַח8 of 13

“to the slaughter”

H2874

properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly butchery (or concretely, a place of slaughter)

נְאֻ֨ם9 of 13

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ10 of 13

“the King”

H4428

a king

יְהוָ֥ה11 of 13

“is the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָא֖וֹת12 of 13

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

שְׁמֽוֹ׃13 of 13

“whose name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

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 48:15 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 48:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 50:27Jeremiah 46:18Jeremiah 51:57Malachi 1:14Isaiah 40:30-31Zechariah 14:9

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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