Jeremiah 48:38 Meaning and Explanation
“There shall be lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof: for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein is no pleasure, saith the LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Mourning fills every public and private space; Moab is shattered like broken pottery.
The Context of Jeremiah 48:38
Universal lamentation fills Moab; complete destruction is irreversible.
What Does Jeremiah 48:38 Mean?
'Lamentation generally upon all the housetops' and 'in the streets' indicates that grief saturates Moab's entire built environment—both domestic and public spaces resound with weeping. There is no refuge from the pervasive sorrow; it fills the air everywhere in every town and city.
The metaphor of breaking Moab 'like a vessel wherein is no pleasure' suggests utter, irreversible destruction. A broken vessel cannot hold what it once held; it is useless, discarded. Moab, broken in the same way, loses all function and purpose. The finality of the image ('wherein is no pleasure') suggests what is broken has no value and no future.
Jeremiah 48:38 in the Original Language
כְּלִי (keli, vessel) — a container broken beyond repair, metaphor for Moab's complete ruin.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 48:38
What does Jeremiah 48:38 mean?
Mourning fills every public and private space; Moab is shattered like broken pottery.
What is the context of Jeremiah 48:38?
Universal lamentation fills Moab; complete destruction is irreversible.