Bible Strands
Jeremiah 48:28
Abandon the towns and settle among the rocks, O dwellers of Moab! Be like a dove that nests at the mouth of a cave.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet Jeremiah issues this command to the inhabitants of Moab during an oracle of impending judgment. The declaration occurs immediately after noting Moab's past mockery of Israel and just before detailing their own arrogance.
The words — The imperative עִזְב֤וּ ('iz.Vu) orders the people to "abandon" their עָרִים֙ ('a.Rim), literally "cities." The consecutive verb וְ/שִׁכְנ֣וּ (ve./shikh.Nu) directs them to "dwell" among the rocks.
The thread — The call to hide in rocky crevices parallels the Israelites' flight from Midian in Judges 6:2. The dove metaphor mirrors the longing for escape in Psalms 55:6 and the protective imagery of Song of Solomon 2:14.
Why it lands — The text requires proud Moabites to exchange fortified security for desperate, exposed refuge. It forces readers to see that natural cover cannot shield a nation from the judgment it provoked.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock, and be like the dove that maketh her nest in the sides of the hole’s mouth.
Cross-references
- Judges 6:2 and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds.
- Psalms 55:6 I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest.
- Song of Solomon 2:14 O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the crevices of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your countenance is lovely.
- Isaiah 2:19 Men will flee to caves in the rocks and holes in the ground, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth.
- Jeremiah 48:9 Put salt on Moab, for she will be laid waste; her cities will become desolate, with no one to dwell in them.
- Jeremiah 49:16 The terror you cause and the pride of your heart have deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks, O occupiers of the mountain summit. Though you elevate your nest like the eagle, even from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.
- 1 Samuel 13:6 Seeing that they were in danger because their troops were hard-pressed, the men of Israel hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in cellars and cisterns.
- Obadiah 1:3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks whose habitation is the heights, who say in your heart, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’