King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 48:32 Mean?

Jeremiah 48:32 in the King James Version says “O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer: thy plants are gone over the sea, they reach even to t...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 48 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer: thy plants are gone over the sea, they reach even to the sea of Jazer: the spoiler is fallen upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage.”

Jeremiah 48:32 · KJV

Context

30

I know his wrath, saith the LORD; but it shall not be so; his lies shall not so effect it. his lies: or, those on whom he stayeth (Heb. his bars) do not right

31

Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kirheres.

32

O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer: thy plants are gone over the sea, they reach even to the sea of Jazer: the spoiler is fallen upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage.

33

And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting.

34

From the cry of Heshbon even unto Elealeh, and even unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice, from Zoar even unto Horonaim, as an heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate. desolate: Heb. desolations

Read Jeremiah 48 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer (מִבְּכִי יַעְזֵר אֶבְכֶּה־לָּךְ הַגֶּפֶן שִׂבְמָה)—Sibmah was renowned for vineyards producing excellent wine. God promises to weep with the intensity of Jazer's weeping—Jazer (a Moabite city) will mourn its own destruction, and God joins that lament. This intensifies verse 31's theme: divine grief over necessary judgment.

Thy plants are gone over the sea, they reach even to the sea of Jazer—Sibmah's vines were so productive they metaphorically reached across bodies of water, perhaps indicating extensive trade. The spoiler is fallen upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage (עַל־קֵיצֵךְ וְעַל־בְּצִירֵךְ שֹׁדֵד נָפָל). The Hebrew shadad (שָׁדַד, spoiler/destroyer) has fallen (naphal, נָפַל) upon the harvest—violent, sudden destruction of what was beautiful and productive. Babylon would devastate Moab's agricultural wealth, symbol of their prosperity and pride.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Sibmah (also Sebam, Numbers 32:38) was in Moab's fertile northern region, famous for vineyards. Wine was a major export and source of wealth. The imagery of vines and vintage throughout this chapter (vv. 11-12, 32-33) reflects Moab's agricultural abundance, which made them proud and secure. Babylon's conquest destroyed this economic base. The reference to 'sea of Jazer' is difficult—Jazer had no sea, so this may be metaphorical or refer to pools/reservoirs. Regardless, the point is clear: Moab's agricultural glory would be devastated.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the destruction of Sibmah's vineyards illustrate that prosperity without righteousness leads to loss?
  2. What does God's weeping over Moab's economic devastation teach about His concern for all aspects of human flourishing?
  3. In what ways might we trust in our productivity and prosperity rather than in God who gives the harvest?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
מִבְּכִ֨י1 of 19

“for thee with the weeping”

H1065

a weeping; by analogy, a dripping

יַעְזֵ֖ר2 of 19

“of Jazer”

H3270

jaazer or jazer, a place east of the jordan

אֶבְכֶּה3 of 19

“I will weep”

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

לָּךְ֙4 of 19
H0
הַגֶּ֣פֶן5 of 19

“O vine”

H1612

a vine (as twining), especially the grape

שִׂבְמָ֔ה6 of 19

“of Sibmah”

H7643

sebam or sibmah, a place in moab

נְטִֽישֹׁתַ֙יִךְ֙7 of 19

“thy plants”

H5189

a tendril (as an offshoot)

עָ֣בְרוּ8 of 19

“are gone over”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

יָ֥ם9 of 19

“even to the sea”

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

עַ֛ד10 of 19
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

יָ֥ם11 of 19

“even to the sea”

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

יַעְזֵ֖ר12 of 19

“of Jazer”

H3270

jaazer or jazer, a place east of the jordan

נָגָ֑עוּ13 of 19

“they reach”

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

עַל14 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

קֵיצֵ֥ךְ15 of 19

“upon thy summer fruits”

H7019

harvest (as the crop), whether the product (grain or fruit) or the (dry) season

וְעַל16 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בְּצִירֵ֖ךְ17 of 19

“and upon thy vintage”

H1210

clipped, i.e., the grape crop

שֹׁדֵ֥ד18 of 19

“the spoiler”

H7703

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

נָפָֽל׃19 of 19

“is fallen”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

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 48:32 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 48:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 16:8-9Numbers 21:32Joshua 13:19Jeremiah 48:8Joshua 21:39Numbers 32:35

Places in This Verse

JazerSettlement · Modern: Khirbet Sara · 31.94°N, 35.83°E13 verses across 6 books
Salt SeaBody of Water · Modern: Dead Sea · 31.50°N, 35.50°E21 verses across 11 books
Sea of JazerSettlement · Modern: Khirbet Jazzir · 32.01°N, 35.73°E1 verse across 1 book
SibmahSettlement · Modern: Qarn al Qubish · 31.78°N, 35.76°E6 verses across 4 books
View all places in Jeremiah 48 →

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