Jeremiah 48:18 Meaning and Explanation
“Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Dibon, a major Moabite city, is commanded to abandon its glory and face invasion.
The Context of Jeremiah 48:18
Specific cities fall: Dibon, once glorious, becomes vulnerable and parched.
What Does Jeremiah 48:18 Mean?
Dibon was one of Moab's greatest cities. Being addressed as 'daughter' is a poetic personification common in biblical lament—cities are imagined as women. The command to 'come down from thy glory' and 'sit in thirst' describes displacement from wealth and security to deprivation and vulnerability.
The 'spoiler' (invader) will come and destroy the 'strong holds' (fortified places meant to provide security). No fortress will protect Dibon; the city's defensive advantage becomes irrelevant before the invader's superior force and God's predetermined judgment.
Jeremiah 48:18 in the Original Language
דִּיבוֹן (Dibon) — a major Moabite city, its fall symbolizes the destruction of Moab's political centers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 48:18
What does Jeremiah 48:18 mean?
Dibon, a major Moabite city, is commanded to abandon its glory and face invasion.
What is the context of Jeremiah 48:18?
Specific cities fall: Dibon, once glorious, becomes vulnerable and parched.