King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 48:39 Mean?

Jeremiah 48:39 in the King James Version says “They shall howl, saying, How is it broken down! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab be a derision an...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 48 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Jeremiah 48:39 · KJV

Context

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.

41

Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men's hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs. Kerioth: or, The cities

Read Jeremiah 48 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They shall howl, saying, How is it broken down! (הֵילִילוּ אֵיךְ חַתָּה)—The command/prediction to 'howl' (yalal, יָלַל—wail, lament loudly) introduces a funeral dirge. The question 'How is it broken down?' (ek chattah, אֵיךְ חַתָּה) expresses shock and dismay—the word chatah (חָתָה) means to be shattered, dismayed, broken. This rhetorical question of stunned disbelief appears in other laments (Lamentations 1:1, 2:1, 4:1).

How hath Moab turned the back with shame! (אֵיךְ הִפְנָה־עֹרֶף בּוֹשׁ מוֹאָב). Turning the back (panah oref, פָּנָה עֹרֶף) means fleeing in defeat, showing the back to the enemy rather than facing them—military rout. The word bosh (בּוֹשׁ) means shame, disgrace, humiliation. So shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him (וְהָיָה מוֹאָב לִשְׂחֹק וְלִמְחִתָּה לְכָל־סְבִיבָיו). The same word for derision (sechoq, שְׂחֹק) that Moab used against Israel (v. 27) is now applied to them—poetic justice. They become an object of mockery and terror (mechittah, מְחִתָּה—terror, dismay) to surrounding nations.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy reverses Moab's position. They had mocked Israel's exile (v. 27), but now they experience the same fate. The phrase 'turned the back' describes military defeat—fleeing enemies in shame rather than standing firm. When Babylon conquered Moab (circa 582 BC), surrounding nations (Ammon, Edom, Arabia) witnessed Moab's humiliation. The once-proud nation became a cautionary tale. This fulfilled the Abrahamic covenant principle: those who curse Israel will themselves be cursed (Genesis 12:3). Moab's name eventually disappeared from history, absorbed into larger empires—the ultimate derision.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Moab becoming a 'derision' after mocking Israel illustrate the principle that we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7)?
  2. What does it mean to 'turn the back with shame,' and how does this describe spiritual defeat as well as military defeat?
  3. In what ways should awareness that God defends those who trust Him (even under discipline) shape how we treat others experiencing hardship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
אֵ֥יךְ1 of 14
H349

how? or how!; also where

חַ֙תָּה֙2 of 14

“saying How is it broken down”

H2865

properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear

הֵילִ֔ילוּ3 of 14

“They shall howl”

H3213

to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one)

אֵ֛יךְ4 of 14
H349

how? or how!; also where

הִפְנָה5 of 14

“turned”

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

עֹ֥רֶף6 of 14

“the back”

H6203

the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)

מוֹאָ֛ב7 of 14

“how hath Moab”

H4124

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

בּ֑וֹשׁ8 of 14

“with shame”

H954

properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed

וְהָיָ֥ה9 of 14
H1961

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

מוֹאָ֛ב10 of 14

“how hath Moab”

H4124

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

לִשְׂחֹ֥ק11 of 14

“be a derision”

H7814

laughter (in merriment or defiance)

וְלִמְחִתָּ֖ה12 of 14

“and a dismaying”

H4288

properly, a dissolution; concretely, a ruin, or (abstractly) consternation

לְכָל13 of 14
H3605

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

סְבִיבָֽיו׃14 of 14

“to all them about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

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 48:39 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 48:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 20:4-6Jeremiah 48:26-27Ezekiel 26:16-18Revelation 18:9-10Revelation 18:15-16Lamentations 4:1

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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