Jeremiah 48:20 Meaning and Explanation
“Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Moab's shame and destruction are proclaimed aloud, broadcast throughout the land.
The Context of Jeremiah 48:20
News of destruction spreads throughout all Moab's territory.
What Does Jeremiah 48:20 Mean?
'Confounded' (confused, ashamed, defeated) sums up Moab's total reversal. The command to 'howl and cry' is not call to grief but a prophecy of what will happen—the sound of mourning will fill the land. Arnon, the river boundary of Moab, becomes the geographical marker through which the news of destruction is spread.
'Tell ye it' suggests that the proclamation of Moab's fall is not hidden or whispered but broadcast publicly. The entire world will know that Moab is 'spoiled' (ruined). What was once a point of pride becomes a point of public shame.
Jeremiah 48:20 in the Original Language
אַרְנוֹן (Arnon) — the river marking Moab's northern border, through which the news of destruction is broadcast.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 48:20
What does Jeremiah 48:20 mean?
Moab's shame and destruction are proclaimed aloud, broadcast throughout the land.
What is the context of Jeremiah 48:20?
News of destruction spreads throughout all Moab's territory.