King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 48:37 Mean?

Jeremiah 48:37 in the King James Version says “For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackclot... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 48 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth. clipped: Heb. diminished

Jeremiah 48:37 · KJV


Context

35

Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the LORD, him that offereth in the high places, and him that burneth incense to his gods.

36

Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kirheres: because the riches that he hath gotten are perished.

37

For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth. clipped: Heb. diminished

38

There shall be lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof: for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein is no pleasure, saith the LORD.

39

They shall howl, saying, How is it broken down! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him. back: Heb. neck


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped (כִּי כָל־רֹאשׁ קָרְחָה וְכָל־זָקָן גְּרוּעָה)—Shaving the head (qorchah, קָרְחָה) and cutting the beard (geru'ah, גְּרוּעָה) were ancient mourning practices, signs of extreme grief and humiliation (Job 1:20, Isaiah 15:2). These practices were forbidden to Israel (Leviticus 19:27-28, Deuteronomy 14:1) but common among pagans. Their universal practice across Moab ('every head... every beard') indicates comprehensive mourning—all social classes share in grief.

Upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth (עַל־כָּל־יָדַיִם גְּדֻדֹת וְעַל־מָתְנַיִם שָׂק). Self-inflicted gedudot (גְּדֻדֹת, cuttings/gashes) on hands and wearing saq (שָׂק, sackcloth—coarse goat hair) around the loins were mourning rituals expressing anguish. These physical manifestations of grief indicate that Moab's suffering will be so severe that all will engage in extreme mourning practices. The cumulative effect describes a nation in total despair.

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Historical & Cultural Context

These mourning practices were widespread in the ancient Near East. Archaeological evidence and literary sources confirm head-shaving, beard-cutting, self-laceration, and sackcloth-wearing as grief responses to death, national calamity, or divine judgment. While forbidden to Israel, these practices characterized pagan cultures. The prophets often described coming judgment using these images (Isaiah 15:2-3, Jeremiah 41:5, Ezekiel 7:18). When Babylon conquered Moab, survivors indeed mourned comprehensively—for lost family members, destroyed cities, ended national existence, and failed gods.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do these extreme mourning practices illustrate the severity of experiencing divine judgment?
  2. What does the universal nature of mourning ('every head... all hands') teach about how sin's consequences affect entire communities?
  3. In what ways do outward expressions of grief (biblical or cultural) help process deep loss and tragedy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
כִּ֤י1 of 14
H3588

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

כָל2 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

רֹאשׁ֙3 of 14

For every head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

קָרְחָ֔ה4 of 14

shall be bald

H7144

baldness

וְכָל5 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

זָקָ֖ן6 of 14

and every beard

H2206

the beard (as indicating age)

גְּרֻעָ֑ה7 of 14

clipped

H1639

to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold

עַ֤ל8 of 14
H5921

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

כָּל9 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יָדַ֙יִם֙10 of 14

upon all the hands

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

גְּדֻדֹ֔ת11 of 14

shall be cuttings

H1417

a furrow (as cut)

וְעַל12 of 14
H5921

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

מָתְנַ֖יִם13 of 14

and upon the loins

H4975

properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins

שָֽׂק׃14 of 14

sackcloth

H8242

properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e., coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grai


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 48:37 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 48:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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