King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 48:38 Mean?

Jeremiah 48:38 in the King James Version says “There shall be lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof: for I have broken Moab ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 48 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 48:38 · KJV


Context

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

40

For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
There shall be lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof (עַל כָּל־גַּגּוֹת מוֹאָב וּבִרְחֹבֹתֶיהָ כֻּלֹּה מִסְפֵּד)—Housetops were public spaces in ancient cities, used for various activities including announcements and mourning. The streets (rechovot, רְחֹבוֹת) were gathering places. The word misped (מִסְפֵּד) means lamentation, wailing, funeral dirge. Mourning will be public, loud, and universal—from private homes to public squares.

For I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein is no pleasure, saith the LORD (כִּי שָׁבַרְתִּי אֶת־מוֹאָב כִּכְלִי אֵין־חֵפֶץ בּוֹ נְאֻם־יְהוָה). God takes direct responsibility—'I have broken' (shavar, שָׁבַר—shattered, broken to pieces). The metaphor compares Moab to a keli (כְּלִי, vessel/pottery) in which there is no chefetz (חֵפֶץ, delight/pleasure)—a useless pot fit only for discarding and breaking (compare Jeremiah 22:28, Romans 9:21-22). This harsh imagery indicates complete rejection—God finds no value in preserving Moab and destroys them as one would discard broken pottery.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Flat housetops in ancient Near Eastern cities served as living spaces, especially for evening coolness and social interaction. They were natural gathering places for public mourning, visible and audible across neighborhoods. The broken vessel imagery was common in ancient cultures—pottery was ubiquitous, and broken pots were worthless, discarded in trash heaps. Archaeological sites contain massive pottery dumps from broken vessels. God's statement that He finds no pleasure in Moab indicates they have become worthless through pride and sin, fit only for destruction. Babylon served as God's instrument to 'break' Moab circa 582 BC.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the public nature of Moab's mourning (housetops and streets) illustrate that national sin brings corporate shame?
  2. What does the broken vessel metaphor teach about how sin makes us 'worthless' in terms of our created purpose?
  3. In what ways does this imagery point to the need for re-creation through Christ, who makes us 'vessels of mercy' (Romans 9:23)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
עַ֣ל1 of 17
H5921

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

כָּל2 of 17
H3605

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

גַּגּ֥וֹת3 of 17

generally upon all the housetops

H1406

a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar

מוֹאָ֗ב4 of 17

Moab

H4124

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

וּבִרְחֹבֹתֶ֖יהָ5 of 17

and in the streets

H7339

a width, i.e., (concretely) avenue or area

כֻּלֹּ֣ה6 of 17
H3605

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

מִסְפֵּ֑ד7 of 17

There shall be lamentation

H4553

a lamentation

כִּֽי8 of 17
H3588

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

שָׁבַ֣רְתִּי9 of 17

thereof for I have broken

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

אֶת10 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מוֹאָ֗ב11 of 17

Moab

H4124

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

כִּכְלִ֛י12 of 17

like a vessel

H3627

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

אֵֽין13 of 17
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

חֵ֥פֶץ14 of 17

wherein is no pleasure

H2656

pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind)

בּ֖וֹ15 of 17
H0
נְאֻם16 of 17

saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָֽה׃17 of 17

the LORD

H3068

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


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 48:38 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 48:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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