King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 48:8 Mean?

Jeremiah 48:8 in the King James Version says “And the spoiler shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape: the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 48 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the spoiler shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape: the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed, as the LORD hath spoken.

Jeremiah 48:8 · KJV


Context

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.

8

And the spoiler shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape: the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed, as the LORD hath spoken.

9

Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell therein.

10

Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood. deceitfully: or, negligently


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The spoiler shall come upon every city (וַיָּבֹא שׁוֹדֵד אֶל־כָּל־עִיר vayavo shoded el-kol-ir)—the shoded (destroyer, plunderer) is likely Nebuchadnezzar's army, but functions as Yahweh's agent of judgment. No city shall escape (וְעִיר לֹא תִמָּלֵט ve'ir lo timmalet)—total, comprehensive devastation. The threefold target follows: the valley (הָעֵמֶק ha'emeq, the Jordan valley), shall perish (וְאָבַד ve'avad); and the plain (הַמִּישֹׁר hamishor, the tableland), shall be destroyed (וְנִשְׁמַד venishmad).

The progression from city to valley to plain covers every geographic zone—urban, agricultural lowlands, and pastoral highlands. The concluding phrase as the LORD hath spoken (אֲשֶׁר אָמַר יְהוָה asher amar YHWH) grounds this disaster not in military happenstance but in divine decree. God's word guarantees its fulfillment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Moab's geography included distinct zones: the plateau (mishor), the Jordan valley (emeq), and fortified cities like Dibon and Medeba. Jeremiah's prophecy indicates systematic conquest affecting every economic sector—trade, agriculture, and livestock. Babylonian records confirm Moabite subjugation by 582 BC.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the phrase 'as the LORD hath spoken' establish accountability for divine warnings?
  2. What does comprehensive judgment (city, valley, plain) teach about the thoroughness of sin's consequences?
  3. How should knowledge that God's word will be fulfilled shape present obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְיָבֹ֨א1 of 15

shall come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

שֹׁדֵ֜ד2 of 15

And the spoiler

H7703

properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage

אֶל3 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל4 of 15
H3605

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

וְעִיר֙5 of 15

and no city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וְעִיר֙6 of 15

and no city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

לֹ֣א7 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִמָּלֵ֔ט8 of 15

shall escape

H4422

properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn

וְאָבַ֥ד9 of 15

also shall perish

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

הָעֵ֖מֶק10 of 15

the valley

H6010

a vale (i.e., broad depression)

וְנִשְׁמַ֣ד11 of 15

shall be destroyed

H8045

to desolate

הַמִּישֹׁ֑ר12 of 15

and the plain

H4334

a level, i.e., a plain (often used (with the article prefix) as a proper name of certain districts); figuratively, concord; also straightness, i.e., (

אֲשֶׁ֖ר13 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אָמַ֥ר14 of 15

hath spoken

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָֽה׃15 of 15

as 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 48:8 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 48:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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