Jeremiah 48:46 Meaning and Explanation
“Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Moab is destroyed; its people and children are lost to captivity.
The Context of Jeremiah 48:46
Final lament: Moab and all its people face captivity and loss.
What Does Jeremiah 48:46 Mean?
The lament formula 'Woe be unto thee' marks deep sorrow. 'The people of Chemosh perisheth' means Chemosh's worshippers (Moab itself) are destroyed. The god is powerless to save his people. The specific mention of 'sons...taken captives, and...daughters captives' personalizes the loss—children, the future generation, are removed from the land, enslaved.
Captivity of sons and daughters represents the end of Moab's future. Without the next generation, there is no continuity, no recovery. The nation is not just defeated militarily; it is demographically erased through deportation.
Jeremiah 48:46 in the Original Language
כְּמוֹשׁ (Chemosh), בָּנִים (banim, sons) — Chemosh's people are destroyed; the sons and daughters are captive.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 48:46
What does Jeremiah 48:46 mean?
Moab is destroyed; its people and children are lost to captivity.
What is the context of Jeremiah 48:46?
Final lament: Moab and all its people face captivity and loss.