King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 48:27 Mean?

Jeremiah 48:27 in the King James Version says “For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for j... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 48 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy. skippedst: or, movedst thyself

Jeremiah 48:27 · KJV


Context

25

The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.

26

Make ye him drunken: for he magnified himself against the LORD: Moab also shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision.

27

For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy. skippedst: or, movedst thyself

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.

29

We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For was not Israel a derision unto thee? (הֲלוֹא הַשְּׂחֹק הָיָה לְךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל)—God charges Moab with mocking Israel. The word sechoq (שְׂחֹק) means laughter, scorn, derision—the contemptuous mockery one enemy levels at another's downfall. Was he found among thieves? This rhetorical question implies Israel did nothing to deserve Moab's scorn—they weren't caught in criminal activity justifying such treatment. Yet Moab rejoiced at Israel's exile and suffering (Ezekiel 25:8).

For since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy (כִּי־מִדֵּי דְבָרֶיךָ בּוֹ תִּתְנוֹדָד). The Hebrew nud (נוּד) means to shake oneself, to dance or leap—depicting Moab's gleeful celebration whenever Israel was mentioned. This reveals the deep-seated enmity between these nations descended from Abraham's family (Moab through Lot, Genesis 19:37). God's principle holds: those who curse Abraham's seed will themselves be cursed (Genesis 12:3). Moab's mockery of afflicted Israel brought divine judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Moab and Israel shared ancestry through Abraham but became bitter enemies. Moab refused Israel passage during the exodus (Numbers 22-24) and later oppressed them (Judges 3:12-14). By Jeremiah's time (circa 605-585 BC), Moab apparently gloated over Judah's Babylonian exile. This violated God's covenant with Abraham—blessing his descendants brings blessing, cursing them brings cursing. The prophets consistently condemned nations that rejoiced at Israel's calamity (Ezekiel 25:8, Amos 1:13-15, Obadiah 1:12).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's judgment on Moab for mocking Israel demonstrate His faithfulness to covenant promises even when Israel is under discipline?
  2. What warning does this verse give about rejoicing in others' misfortune, even when they are experiencing deserved consequences?
  3. How should Christians respond when those hostile to the church experience hardship—does this passage inform our posture?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְאִ֣ם׀1 of 14
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

ל֣וֹא2 of 14
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הַשְּׂחֹ֗ק3 of 14

a derision

H7814

laughter (in merriment or defiance)

הָיָ֤ה4 of 14
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְךָ֙5 of 14
H0
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל6 of 14

For was not Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אִם7 of 14
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

בְּגַנָּבִ֖ים8 of 14

among thieves

H1590

a stealer

נִמְצָ֑אה9 of 14

unto thee was he found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

כִּֽי10 of 14
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מִדֵּ֧י11 of 14

for since

H1767

enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases

דְבָרֶ֥יךָ12 of 14

thou spakest

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

בּ֖וֹ13 of 14
H0
תִּתְנוֹדָֽד׃14 of 14

of him thou skippedst

H5110

to nod, i.e., waver; figuratively, to wander, flee, disappear; also (from shaking the head in sympathy), to console, deplore, or (from tossing the hea


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 48:27 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 48:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study