Jeremiah 48:31

Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kir–heres.

Jeremiah 48:31 (KJV)

Context

Jeremiah 48 is a prophetic oracle against Moab, a nation descended from Lot, Abraham’s nephew, and settled east of the Dead Sea. The chapter declares judgment on Moab for its pride, security, and contempt for God and His people.

Meaning

In verse 31, Jeremiah expresses deep sorrow for Moab. His intense grief underscores the severity of the coming calamity. He cries out for all Moab, showing he is not indifferent to their fate. The words “howl,” “cry out,” and “mourn” convey audible, heartfelt grief.

The mention of “Kirheres” (also Kir-hareseth) points to a key Moabite city, making the mourning specific and personal. Some Jewish commentators, such as Kimchi, see the prophet speaking in the person of Moab, a connection also found in Isaiah 16:7. Whether the “I” is Jeremiah or the people, the lament is not mainly about his own feelings; it shows what reason the Moabites had to howl for their country.

Jeremiah’s mourning is a heartfelt response to divine judgment, not a detached observation. Even in pronouncing judgment, there is a place for genuine sorrow over the destruction that sin brings.

Application

This verse models a heart that grieves over the consequences of sin rather than rejoicing in calamity. Even when judgment is certain and deserved, there is room for genuine sorrow. The context continues in verse 36, where Jeremiah’s heart sounds for Moab “like pipes,” a mournful sound, deepening the sense of grief. God’s judgment is serious, yet the prophet’s response teaches us to weep over destruction that sin brings.