Jeremiah 48:4

Moab will be shattered; her little ones will cry out.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The prophet pronounces judgment on Moab immediately after the cry of devastation from Horonaim. This oracle falls within a sequence of lamentations detailing the nation's impending collapse. The words — נִשְׁבְּרָ֖ה (nish.be.Rah) literally means "it will be broken," describing Moab's sudden shattering. הִשְׁמִ֥יעוּ (hish.Mi.'u) translates as "they will make heard," specifying the distress cry of its little ones. The thread — The pattern of shattered cities and weeping on ascents and descents appears in Jeremiah 48:3 and Jeremiah 48:5. The theme of destruction and crying out resonates with the devastation motifs in Numbers 21:27 and Psalm 137:9. Why it lands — The text states that Moab will be shattered and her little ones will cry out. It demands the reader acknowledge the concrete reality of national collapse and the helplessness of its people.

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

נִשְׁבְּרָ֖הnish.be.Rahit will be broken מוֹאָ֑בmo.'AvMoab הִשְׁמִ֥יעוּhish.Mi.'uthey will make heard זְּעָקָ֖הze.'a.Kaha cry of distress צְעִירֶֽיהָ׃tze.'o.rei./haservants/ its

King James Version

Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.

Cross-references

Numbers 21:27 That is why the poets say: “Come to Heshbon, let it be rebuilt; let the city of Sihon be restored.
Esther 8:11 By these letters the king permitted the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province hostile to them, including women and children, and to plunder their possessions.
Psalms 137:9 Blessed is he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.