Jeremiah 48:47
וְשַׁבְתִּ֧י שְׁבוּת־מֹואָ֛ב בְּאַחֲרִ֥ית הַיָּמִ֖ים נְאֻם־יְהוָ֑ה עַד־הֵ֖נָּה מִשְׁפַּ֥ט מֹואָֽב׃
Promise of Restoration: וְשַׁבְתִּי שְׁבוּת־מֹואָב
וְשַׁבְתִּי (“and I will restore”) is a Qal perfect 1cs with vav-consecutive from שׁ־ו־ב (“to return, restore”). Though a perfect form, the vav-consecutive construction here carries a future meaning, common in prophetic texts. שְׁבוּת־מֹואָב (“the captivity of Moab”) uses a construct chain, where שְׁבוּת (“captivity, fortune”) is joined to מֹואָב to specify whose captivity is restored.
Timing of the Event: בְּאַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים
בְּאַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים (“in the latter days”) places the event in the eschatological future.
- בְּ (“in”) — preposition introducing time frame
- אַחֲרִית (“end, latter part”) — noun for conclusion or final period
- הַיָּמִים (“the days”) — plural noun (“days”), determined by the article הַ
This phrase is common in prophetic literature, signaling ultimate restoration or judgment at history’s end.
Prophetic Signature: נְאֻם־יְהוָה
נְאֻם (“utterance, declaration”) is a noun signaling a formal prophetic pronouncement. Joined to יְהוָה (“YHWH”), it authenticates the preceding promise as a direct divine statement. This formula carries great rhetorical weight in Hebrew prophecy.
Summary Statement: עַד־הֵנָּה מִשְׁפַּט מֹואָב
עַד־הֵנָּה (“up to this point”) signals closure. מִשְׁפַּט מֹואָב (“the judgment of Moab”) summarizes the preceding oracle.
- מִשְׁפַּט (“judgment”) — noun indicating divine legal action
- מֹואָב — specifying the nation judged
Thus, after judgment, a hint of mercy is offered, typical of many prophetic cycles.
Parsing Table: Key Forms in Jeremiah 48:47
| Hebrew Word | Root | Form | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| וְשַׁבְתִּי | שׁ־ו־ב | Qal perfect (1cs) with vav-consecutive | “I will restore” — prophetic future restoration |
| אַחֲרִית | א־ח־ר | Noun (fs) | “Latter part, end” — eschatological time reference |
| נְאֻם | נ־א־ם | Noun (ms) | “Utterance” — formal divine proclamation |
| מִשְׁפַּט | שׁ־פ־ט | Noun (ms) | “Judgment” — divine decree against Moab |
The Grammar of Hope beyond Judgment
Jeremiah 48:47 skillfully blends legal judgment and merciful restoration through vivid grammatical devices. The vav-consecutive transforms perfect verbs into future promises; construct chains reveal ownership and consequence; prophetic formulas anchor divine authority. Grammar itself carries the weight of judgment — and the spark of future hope — in the prophet’s closing word to Moab.
