Isaiah15

Isaiah 15 pronounces a "burden" upon Moab, detailing its swift and utter destruction. Cities like Ar and Kir are laid waste in the night, leading to widespread public mourning characterized by baldness, sackcloth, and incessant wailing. The land experiences desolation, forcing its inhabitants to flee and carry away their possessions. Further judgment, including bloodshed and predatory lions, is foretold for the remnant.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

The Sudden Destruction of Moab's Cities

1
The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; ​
2
He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off. ​
3
In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly.
4
And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh: their voice shall be heard even unto Jahaz: therefore the armed soldiers of Moab shall cry out; his life shall be grievous unto him. ​

Widespread Mourning and Flight of Refugees

5
My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction. ​

Desolation of the Land and Economic Ruin

6
For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing. ​
7
Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brook of the willows. ​

Judgment Spreads Across Moab

8
For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the howling thereof unto Eglaim, and the howling thereof unto Beerelim. ​
9
For the waters of Dimon shall be full of blood: for I will bring more upon Dimon, lions upon him that escapeth of Moab, and upon the remnant of the land. ​

Study Notes for Isaiah 15

Verse 1

"The burden (oracle) of Moab" signifies a prophetic judgment against this neighboring nation, a frequent enemy and relative of Israel (descended from Lot). Ar and Kir (likely Kir-Hareseth) were key fortified cities, suggesting the destruction is sudden and complete, happening literally overnight.

Verse 2

The acts of shaving the head and cutting the beard were traditional, severe signs of ritual mourning and national humiliation in the ancient Near East. Bajith and Dibon were likely prominent high places used for worship or public lamentation, emphasizing the public nature of the grief.

Verse 4

Heshbon and Elealeh were northern cities of Moab (formerly belonging to Reuben/Gad). Jahaz was the site of a significant battle, and the widespread wailing confirms the total nature of the invasion and the despair of the soldiers.

Verse 5

The prophet Isaiah expresses profound empathy for Moab, demonstrating that God’s judgment is not without sorrow even for enemy nations. The 'heifer of three years old' is a difficult phrase, likely describing the vigorous, desperate flight of the fugitives toward the safe haven of Zoar, or possibly a symbolic name for the city itself.

Verse 6

Nimrim was a vital water source (the modern Wadi Numeira), crucial for agriculture and grazing. Its desolation signifies the complete collapse of Moab's economy, which was dependent on its rich grazing lands.

Verse 7

The people are forced to abandon their accumulated wealth and provisions, carrying them away as refugees. The 'brook of the willows' likely refers to the Wadi al-Hasa, a natural border, indicating they are fleeing Moabite territory entirely.

Verse 8

Eglaim and Beerelim represent the wide geographical spread of the destruction, confirming that the catastrophe affects the entire territory from north to south.

Verse 9

Dimon (perhaps a variant spelling of Dibon) being full of blood confirms the extreme violence of the judgment. The metaphor of 'lions' represents the final, relentless stage of God's judgment, ensuring that even those who survive the initial war will be destroyed by subsequent attacks or famine.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options