Jeremiah 48

Lord of Hosts

Lord of Hosts — Jehovah, commander of the armies of heaven

Moab is spoiled, and gone up out of her cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts. Jeremiah 48:15

Moab boasted of its mighty men, but the real King is Jehovah, the LORD of hosts — the premortal Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• the same title in Jeremiah 46:18 — Same title over Egypt.
• the same title in Jeremiah 51:57 — Same title over Babylon.

Jehovah

Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men of Kirheres. Jeremiah 48:31–36

The speaker (the LORD, v. 35, or the prophet voicing His feeling) weeps over an enemy nation even while it is judged. It echoes the Savior who wept over those who rejected Him.

• a parallel account in Isaiah 16:11 — Isaiah's oracle on Moab: 'my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab.'
• alluded to by Luke 19:41 — Jesus beheld the city and wept over it.

Jehovah

Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab. Jeremiah 48:47

After the judgment, Jehovah promises mercy even to a Gentile enemy in the latter days. The premortal Christ's redemption reaches beyond Israel.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)