Jeremiah 48:37 Meaning and Explanation
“For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Moab will observe rituals of extreme mourning and self-harm.
The Context of Jeremiah 48:37
Physical expressions of mourning: Moab will bear visible marks of grief.
What Does Jeremiah 48:37 Mean?
These are practices of deep mourning in the ancient Near East: shaving the head, trimming the beard, cutting the hands, and wearing sackcloth (rough, uncomfortable cloth). The universality—'every head,' 'every...hands'—indicates that all of Moab, the entire population, will be in mourning. This is not private grief but communal, visible, embodied sorrow.
The physical acts of mutilation and discomfort reflect internal anguish expressed outwardly. Moab will not mourn quietly but will be visibly, unmistakably marked by grief. Clothing and appearance become billboards of loss and lament.
Jeremiah 48:37 in the Original Language
קָרְחָה (korcah, baldness) — shaving the head was a ritual mourning practice, expressing the depths of grief.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 48:37
What does Jeremiah 48:37 mean?
Moab will observe rituals of extreme mourning and self-harm.
What is the context of Jeremiah 48:37?
Physical expressions of mourning: Moab will bear visible marks of grief.