King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 48:41 Mean?

Jeremiah 48:41 in the King James Version says “Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men's hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the he...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 48 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Jeremiah 48:41 · KJV

Context

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

42

And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the LORD.

43

Fear, and the pit, and the snare, shall be upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the LORD.

Read Jeremiah 48 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised—Kerioth (קְרִיּוֹת, possibly plural 'the cities' or a specific fortress-city) represents Moab's defensive strength, now captured (lakad, לָכַד, seized, conquered). The strongholds (metsadot, מְצָדוֹת) are 'surprised' (nitpasah, נִתְפָּשָׂה, seized suddenly, caught unawares), indicating Moab's defenses crumbled faster than expected despite their confidence.

The mighty men's hearts... shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs—this simile strips away masculine warrior bravado. The Hebrew gibborim (גִּבֹּרִים, mighty warriors) are reduced to the terror of a woman in labor (metsarah, מְצֵרָה, distress, anguish). This isn't denigrating women but recognizing childbirth pangs as the ultimate image of inescapable agony. Isaiah uses identical imagery for Babylon's warriors (Isaiah 13:8). The point is theological: human strength evaporates before divine judgment. Paul later uses birth pangs to describe the Day of the Lord's sudden onset (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Kerioth may be modern Khirbet el-Qaryatein in Jordan, a major Moabite administrative center. The Mesha Stele (c. 840 BC), a Moabite inscription, mentions Kerioth as containing a sanctuary to Chemosh, Moab's national deity. Its capture symbolized not just military defeat but religious humiliation—Chemosh could not protect his own shrine city. The image of terrified warriors facing inevitable doom reflects ancient Near Eastern warfare's psychological dimension. Once a city's walls were breached and strongholds taken, resistance collapsed as soldiers fled or surrendered. Moabite confidence in their fortifications proved illusory against Babylon's siege technology and ruthless efficiency.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Scripture repeatedly use the image of labor pains to describe inescapable judgment?
  2. How does the collapse of Moab's 'strongholds' illustrate the futility of trusting anything other than God for security?
  3. In what ways might we be trusting in false 'strongholds' (wealth, status, military power) rather than God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
נִלְכְּדָה֙1 of 13

“is taken”

H3920

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

הַקְּרִיּ֔וֹת2 of 13

“Kerioth”

H7152

kerioth, the name of two places in palestine

וְהַמְּצָד֖וֹת3 of 13

“and the strong holds”

H4679

a fastness (as a covert of ambush)

נִתְפָּ֑שָׂה4 of 13

“are surprised”

H8610

to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably

וְֽ֠הָיָה5 of 13
H1961

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

כְּלֵ֖ב6 of 13

“hearts”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

גִּבּוֹרֵ֤י7 of 13

“and the mighty men's”

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

מוֹאָב֙8 of 13

“in Moab”

H4124

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

בַּיּ֣וֹם9 of 13

“at that day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֔וּא10 of 13
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

כְּלֵ֖ב11 of 13

“hearts”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

אִשָּׁ֥ה12 of 13

“of a woman”

H802

a woman

מְצֵרָֽה׃13 of 13

“in her pangs”

H6887

to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive

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 48:41 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 48:41 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 21:3Isaiah 13:8Micah 4:9-10Jeremiah 6:24Jeremiah 30:6Jeremiah 49:22

Places in This Verse

KeriothSettlement · Modern: Al Qurayyat · 31.54°N, 35.69°E3 verses across 2 books
Moab 1Region · Modern: Kerak · 31.18°N, 35.70°E162 verses across 22 books
View all places in Jeremiah 48 →

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