Jeremiah 48:31 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kirheres.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God mourns Moab's destruction even as He executes the judgment.
The Context of Jeremiah 48:31
Midst of judgment, the prophet/God grieves over Moab's loss.
What Does Jeremiah 48:31 Mean?
A dramatic shift in tone: the prophet (or God's representative) expresses deep sorrow over Moab's fall. 'Howl,' 'cry out,' and 'mourn' are expressions of genuine grief. This is not gloating but lament—even the agent of judgment weeps over the necessity of the punishment.
'Mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kirheres' personalizes the grief: it is not abstract judgment but sorrow for real people, the men of a specific city, whose lives will be destroyed. This emotional complexity—judgment and sorrow, divine will and human grief—reveals the tragic weight of judgment.
Jeremiah 48:31 in the Original Language
כִּרְחֶרֶשׁ (Kirheres) — a city whose men will suffer; the grief is personal and specific.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 48:31
What does Jeremiah 48:31 mean?
God mourns Moab's destruction even as He executes the judgment.
What is the context of Jeremiah 48:31?
Midst of judgment, the prophet/God grieves over Moab's loss.