King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 48:5 Mean?

Jeremiah 48:5 in the King James Version says “For in the going up of Luhith continual weeping shall go up; for in the going down of Horonaim the enemies have heard a ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 48 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For in the going up of Luhith continual weeping shall go up; for in the going down of Horonaim the enemies have heard a cry of destruction. continual: Heb. weeping with weeping”

Jeremiah 48:5 · KJV

Context

3

A voice of crying shall be from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction.

4

Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.

5

For in the going up of Luhith continual weeping shall go up; for in the going down of Horonaim the enemies have heard a cry of destruction. continual: Heb. weeping with weeping

6

Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness. the heath: or, a naked tree

7

For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together.

Read Jeremiah 48 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In the going up of Luhith (בְּמַעֲלֵה הַלּוּחִית bema'aleh haLuhit)—ma'aleh refers to an ascending path or stairway, while Luhith (possibly meaning 'tablet-place') was a mountain ascent south of Horonaim. Continual weeping shall go up (בְּבֶכִי יַעֲלֶה־בֶּכִי bevki ya'aleh-veki)—the Hebrew literally repeats 'weeping' for emphasis: 'with weeping, weeping goes up.' The repetition conveys unceasing, climbing grief.

Conversely, in the going down of Horonaim (בְּמוֹרַד חוֹרֹנַיִם bemorad Horonayim) depicts descent accompanied by a cry of destruction (צַעֲקַת־שֶׁבֶר tza'aqat-shever). Whether climbing upward or descending downward, in every direction, only anguish awaits—no escape, no refuge. This geographic poetry of despair shows judgment pervading every path, every option exhausted.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The paired cities Luhith and Horonaim marked the southern escape route from Moab's plateau toward Edom. Refugees would climb Luhith's ascent hoping for safety, then descend Horonaim's path toward the Dead Sea. Jeremiah depicts both routes filled with weeping, suggesting complete military encirclement.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the imagery of weeping 'going up' and 'going down' teach about the inescapability of consequences?
  2. How does this geographical detail demonstrate that rebellion against God leads to dead ends in every direction?
  3. Where in your life might you be seeking an escape route instead of repentance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
כִּ֚י1 of 13
H3588

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

מַעֲלֵ֣ה2 of 13

“For in the going up”

H4608

an elevation, i.e., (concretely) acclivity or platform; abstractly (the relation or state) a rise or (figuratively) priority

הַלֻּחִ֔ות3 of 13

“of Luhith”

H3872

luchith, a place east of the jordan

בֶּ֑כִי4 of 13

“continual”

H1065

a weeping; by analogy, a dripping

יַֽעֲלֶה5 of 13

“shall go up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

בֶּ֑כִי6 of 13

“continual”

H1065

a weeping; by analogy, a dripping

כִּ֚י7 of 13
H3588

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

בְּמוֹרַ֣ד8 of 13

“for in the going down”

H4174

a descent; as architecture, an ornamental appendage, perhaps a festoon

חוֹרֹנַ֔יִם9 of 13

“of Horonaim”

H2773

choronajim, a place in moab

צָרֵ֥י10 of 13

“the enemies”

H6862

a pebble (as in h6864)

צַֽעֲקַת11 of 13

“a cry”

H6818

a shriek

שֶׁ֖בֶר12 of 13

“of destruction”

H7667

a fracture, figuratively, ruin; specifically, a solution (of a dream)

שָׁמֵֽעוּ׃13 of 13

“have heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

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 48:5 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 48:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 15:5

Places in This Verse

Horonaim 1Settlement · Modern: El Iraq · 31.09°N, 35.64°E4 verses across 2 books
LuhithSettlement · Modern: Kathrabba · 31.14°N, 35.62°E2 verses across 2 books
View all places in Jeremiah 48 →

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