Jeremiah 48:6
Jeremiah 48:6 in Multiple Translations
‘Flee! Run for your lives! Become like a juniper in the desert. ’
Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.
Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.
Go in flight, get away with your lives, and let your faces be turned to Aroer in the Arabah.
Run away! Save yourselves! Be like a scrawny tamarisk tree in the desert!
Flee and saue your liues, and be like vnto the heath in the wildernesse.
Flee ye, deliver yourselves, Ye are as a naked thing in a wilderness.
Flee! Save your lives! Be like the juniper bush in the wilderness.
Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.
Flee, save your lives: and be as heath in the wilderness.
Someone will say to them, ‘Flee! Hide in the desert!’
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 48:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 48:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
נֻ֖סוּ
מַלְּט֣וּ
נַפְשְׁ/כֶ֑ם
וְ/תִֽהְיֶ֕ינָה
כַּ/עֲרוֹעֵ֖ר
בַּ/מִּדְבָּֽר
נֻ֖סוּ
nûwç
H5127
to flee
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
מַלְּט֣וּ
mâlaṭ
H4422
to escape
V-Piel-Impv-2mp
נַפְשְׁ/כֶ֑ם
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs | Suff
וְ/תִֽהְיֶ֕ינָה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-2fp
כַּ/עֲרוֹעֵ֖ר
ʻărôwʻêr
H6176
juniper
Prep | N-ms
בַּ/מִּדְבָּֽר
midbâr
H4057
mouth
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 48:6
נֻ֖סוּ
nûwç
H5127
"to flee"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To flee means to quickly leave a place, like escaping from danger, as seen in the Bible when David fled from King Saul. It can also mean to disappear or vanish. In the book of Psalms, it describes God delivering his people from harm.
Definition: 1) to flee, escape 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to flee 1a2) to escape 1a3) to take flight, m depart, disappear 1a4) to fly (to the attack) on horseback 1b) (Polel) to drive at 1c) (Hithpolel) to take flight 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to put to flight 1d2) to drive hastily 1d3) to cause to disappear, hide Aramaic equivalent: nud (נוּד "to flee" H5111)
Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abate, away, be displayed, (make to) flee (away, -ing), put to flight, [idiom] hide, lift up a standard. See also: Genesis 14:10; 2 Samuel 17:2; Psalms 60:6.
מַלְּט֣וּ
mâlaṭ
H4422
"to escape"
V-Piel-Impv-2mp
This verb means to escape or be delivered, like slipping away to safety. It is used in the Bible to describe people being saved from danger, like in the book of Psalms. The KJV translates it as deliver or escape.
Definition: 1) to slip away, escape, deliver, save, be delivered 1a)(Niphal) 1a1) to slip away 1a2) to escape 1a3) to be delivered 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to lay, let slip out (of eggs) 1b2) to let escape 1b3) to deliver, save (life) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to give birth to 1c2) to deliver 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to slip forth, slip out, escape 1d2) to escape
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: deliver (self), escape, lay, leap out, let alone, let go, preserve, save, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 19:17; Psalms 41:2; Psalms 22:6.
נַפְשְׁ/כֶ֑ם
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
וְ/תִֽהְיֶ֕ינָה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-2fp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
כַּ/עֲרוֹעֵ֖ר
ʻărôwʻêr
H6176
"juniper"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for a juniper tree, which can also mean naked or stripped, is used in the Bible to describe a type of evergreen tree. In the KJV, it is sometimes translated as health. This word is used to describe a specific type of tree in the Bible.
Definition: 1) naked, stripped, destitute 2) tree or bush 2a) probably juniper or cypress
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: health. See also: Jeremiah 17:6; Jeremiah 48:6.
בַּ/מִּדְבָּֽר
midbâr
H4057
"mouth"
Prep | N-ms
The wilderness refers to a desert or open field, like the one the Israelites wandered in after leaving Egypt. It can also mean a place of solitude or a region without many people. In the Bible, it is often associated with the journey to the Promised Land.
Definition: 1) mouth 1a) mouth (as organ of speech)
Usage: Occurs in 257 OT verses. KJV: desert, south, speech, wilderness. See also: Genesis 14:6; Joshua 5:4; Psalms 29:8.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 48:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 48:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 48:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 48:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 48:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 48:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 48:6
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 48:6
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 48:6
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 48:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 48:6
- Sermons on Jeremiah 48:6
Context — Judgment on Moab
4Moab will be shattered; her little ones will cry out.
5For on the ascent to Luhith they weep bitterly as they go, and on the descent to Horonaim cries of distress resound over the destruction:
6‘Flee! Run for your lives! Become like a juniper in the desert. ’
7Because you trust in your works and treasures, you too will be captured, and Chemosh will go into exile with his priests and officials. 8The destroyer will move against every city, and not one town will escape. The valley will also be ruined, and the high plain will be destroyed, as the LORD has said.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 17:6 | He will be like a shrub in the desert; he will not see when prosperity comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 51:6 | Flee from Babylon! Escape with your lives! Do not be destroyed in her punishment. For this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance; He will pay her what she deserves. |
| 3 | Job 30:3–7 | Gaunt from poverty and hunger, they gnawed the dry land, and the desolate wasteland by night. They plucked mallow among the shrubs, and the roots of the broom tree were their food. They were banished from among men, shouted down like thieves, so that they lived on the slopes of the wadis, among the rocks and in holes in the ground. They cried out among the shrubs and huddled beneath the nettles. |
| 4 | Genesis 19:17 | As soon as the men had brought them out, one of them said, “Run for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere on the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!” |
| 5 | Luke 17:31–33 | On that day, let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve his possessions. Likewise, let no one in the field return for anything he has left behind. Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. |
| 6 | Psalms 11:1 | In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain! |
| 7 | Hebrews 6:18 | Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged. |
| 8 | Matthew 24:16–18 | then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. And let no one in the field return for his cloak. |
| 9 | Luke 3:7 | Then John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? |
| 10 | Proverbs 6:4–5 | Allow no sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. |
Jeremiah 48:6 Summary
Jeremiah 48:6 is a call to flee from danger and run towards safety, but in a spiritual sense, it's a reminder that we need to turn away from our own sinful ways and trust in God for salvation, as seen in Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:9-10. Just like the juniper tree stands alone in the desert, we can feel isolated and alone when we're facing challenges, but God promises to be with us and restore us, as stated in Isaiah 43:2 and Psalm 23:4. This verse encourages us to trust in God's mercy and provision, rather than our own strength and resources, and to seek refuge in Him, as commanded in Psalm 34:8 and Matthew 11:28-30.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to become like a juniper in the desert?
In Jeremiah 48:6, becoming like a juniper in the desert means to be isolated and alone, much like the juniper tree that often stands solitary in the desert landscape, as seen in Isaiah 41:19, where God promises to plant juniper trees in the wilderness as a sign of hope and restoration.
Why is God telling Moab to flee and run for their lives?
God is warning Moab of the impending destruction and judgment that is coming upon them, as stated in Jeremiah 48:7-8, because of their trust in their own works and treasures, rather than in the one true God, as commanded in Deuteronomy 6:13-15.
Is this verse only for the people of Moab, or is there a broader application?
While Jeremiah 48:6 is specifically addressed to Moab, the principle of fleeing from sin and trusting in God is applicable to all people, as seen in Proverbs 28:1, which encourages the righteous to be bold as a lion, and in 1 Peter 1:17, which reminds us to conduct ourselves in fear during our time on earth.
How does this verse relate to the concept of salvation and redemption?
In the context of Jeremiah 48:6, salvation and redemption are not directly mentioned, but the idea of fleeing from judgment and trusting in God's mercy is closely related to the concept of salvation, as seen in Psalm 37:39-40, where the salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord, and in Romans 10:13, which states that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Reflection Questions
- What are the things in my life that I am trusting in for security and comfort, and how can I learn to trust in God instead?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of 'fleeing' from sin and 'running' towards God in my own life, as encouraged in 1 Corinthians 6:18 and 2 Timothy 2:22?
- How can I cultivate a sense of humility and dependence on God, recognizing that my own strength and resources are insufficient to save me, as stated in Psalm 28:7 and Isaiah 40:29-31?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to 'flee' from the world's influence and 'run' towards God's presence, as commanded in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 and James 4:7-10?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 48:6
Flee, save your lives,.... These are either the words of the Moabites, their cry of destruction mentioned in the latter part of Jer 48:5; who, seeing nothing but ruin before their eyes, advise one
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 48:6
Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness. Flee, save your lives. They exhort one another to flee. Be like the heath - or the juniper (see note, Jeremiah 17:6).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 48:6
It is of no great moment whether we understand these as the words of the Moabites, calling one to another to flee, and save their lives, though they lost all they had, and left themselves as bare as a naked tree; or as the words of the prophets speaking to the Moabites to the same sense.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 48:6
Jeremiah 48:6 Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.Ver. 6. Flee, save your lives.] Whatever else ye lose. And be like the heath in the wilderness.] Which is little worth. See Jeremiah 17:6. Sit there sad and solitary.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 48:6
(6) Be like the heath in the wilderness.—Here, as in Jeremiah 17:6, the stunted solitary shrub in the desert is taken as the type of desolation. The LXX., which adopts the meaning in Jeremiah 17:6, here strangely enough gives “as a wild ass in the wilderness.” Psalms 11:1 gives us an example of a like comparison. Here probably there is, as before, a paronomasia on the name of the Moabite city Aroer, which closely resembles the Hebrew word for “heath.” In thus finding an ominous significance in the names of cities, Jeremiah follows in the wake of Micah 1.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 48:6
Verse 6. Flee, save your lives] The enemy is in full pursuit of you. Be like the heath] כערוער caaroer, "like Aroer;" which some take for a city, others for a blasted or withered tree. It is supposed that a place of this name lay towards the north, in the land of the Ammonites, on a branch of the river Jabbok; surrounded by deserts. Save yourselves by getting into the wilderness, where the pursuing foe will scarcely think it worth his while to follow you, as the wilderness itself must soon destroy you.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 48:6
6. the heath] See on Jeremiah 17:6. The LXX read somewhat differently from MT., rendering wild ass (as shy and difficult to capture). This is probably right. Cp. Job 39:5.
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 48:6
Like the heath - Or, Like a destitute man. See the marginal reference note.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 48:6
6. Be like the heath, etc. — See note on Jeremiah 17:6.
Sermons on Jeremiah 48:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (Alternate) by Jonathan Edwards | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the incomprehensible power of God's anger and the eternal misery that awaits those who have not been born again. The preacher warns that eve |
|
Enter Into His Rest by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher begins by leading the congregation in praise and worship, emphasizing the importance of praising and magnifying the name of Jesus. He encourages the be |
|
Don't Look Back by Arlen L. Chitwood | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not dwelling in the plain, using the story of Lot's wife as an example. He contrasts Lot, who didn't make it far in his jo |
|
The Lord's Knowledge, Our Safeguard by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of relying on faith rather than relying on what we can see with our physical eyes. He shares personal experiences of feeling |
|
|
Lest Thou Be Consumed by Arlen L. Chitwood | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the book of Genesis, specifically chapters 1 through 4. They emphasize that the work of Christ at Calvary can be seen in each of these chapte |
|
|
Run for Your Life by Arlen L. Chitwood | In this sermon, the speaker begins by praying for God's blessings and guidance as they open the Word of God. They mention that they will be delivering five messages based on five p |
|
|
Escape to the Mountain by Arlen L. Chitwood | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that believers have been saved for a purpose and that purpose extends to all of mankind. He speaks about the present kingdom of God and the |