Bible Strands
Jeremiah 48:35
In Moab, declares the LORD, I will bring an end to those who make offerings on the high places and burn incense to their gods.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD declares judgment over Moab amid a broader prophetic pronouncement against the nation. This utterance follows a description of widespread mourning and dried-up water sources in the region.
The words — הִשְׁבַּתִּי (hish.ba.Ti) literally means "I will put an end to," and בָּמָה (ba.ma) means "high place." These terms specify the divine termination of idolatrous worship at elevated shrines.
The thread — The condemnation of high place worship recurs in Isaiah 15:2 and Isaiah 16:12, which describe Moab’s futile weeping at its sanctuaries. This motif also echoes the unauthorized sacrifices noted in Numbers 22:40.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that ritual sacrifice at local shrines cannot avert divine judgment. It requires the reader to accept that God actively terminates idolatrous practice rather than tolerating it.
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
Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the Lord, him that offereth in the high places, and him that burneth incense to his gods.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 15:2 Dibon goes up to its temple to weep at its high places. Moab wails over Nebo, as well as over Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off.
- Isaiah 16:12 When Moab appears on the high place, when he wearies himself and enters his sanctuary to pray, it will do him no good.
- Numbers 22:40 Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and he gave portions to Balaam and the princes who were with him.
- Numbers 28:14 Their drink offerings shall be half a hin of wine with each bull, a third of a hin with the ram, and a quarter hin with each lamb. This is the monthly burnt offering to be made at each new moon throughout the year.
- Numbers 28:28 together with their grain offerings of fine flour mixed with oil—three-tenths of an ephah with each bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram,
- Jeremiah 11:13 Your gods are indeed as numerous as your cities, O Judah; the altars of shame you have set up—the altars to burn incense to Baal—are as many as the streets of Jerusalem.’
- Jeremiah 48:7 Because you trust in your works and treasures, you too will be captured, and Chemosh will go into exile with his priests and officials.