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.
And Heshbon {H2809} shall cry {H2199}, and Elealeh {H500}: their voice {H6963} shall be heard {H8085} even unto Jahaz {H3096}: therefore the armed soldiers {H2502} of Moab {H4124} shall cry out {H7321}; his life {H5315} shall be grievous {H3415} unto him.
Heshbon and El'aleh cry out, they are heard as far as Yachatz. Mo'av's best troops cry aloud, as their courage faints away.
Heshbon and Elealeh cry out; their voices are heard as far as Jahaz. Therefore the soldiers of Moab cry out; their souls tremble within.
And Heshbon crieth out, and Elealeh; their voice is heard even unto Jahaz: therefore the armed men of Moab cry aloud; his soul trembleth within him.
-
Jeremiah 48:34
From the cry of Heshbon [even] unto Elealeh, [and even] unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice, from Zoar [even] unto Horonaim, [as] an heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate. -
Isaiah 16:8
For the fields of Heshbon languish, [and] the vine of Sibmah: the lords of the heathen have broken down the principal plants thereof, they are come [even] unto Jazer, they wandered [through] the wilderness: her branches are stretched out, they are gone over the sea. -
Isaiah 16:9
Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen. -
Jeremiah 20:18
Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame? -
Jonah 4:8
And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, [It is] better for me to die than to live. -
Numbers 11:15
And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. -
Revelation 9:6
And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
Isaiah 15:4 vividly describes the widespread and intense lamentation gripping the land of Moab. As part of a larger prophetic "burden" or oracle against Moab (Isaiah 15-16), this verse focuses on the deep despair that overtakes its inhabitants, from common citizens to armed soldiers, emphasizing the pervasive nature of the impending judgment.
Context
This verse is found within Isaiah's prophecy concerning Moab, a nation east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel but also related to them through Lot (Genesis 19:37). The cities mentioned—Heshbon, Elealeh, and Jahaz—were significant Moabite strongholds. Heshbon was a prominent city, and Elealeh was very close to it, while Jahaz lay further south. The cry originating from Heshbon and Elealeh being heard all the way to Jahaz underscores the extensive reach of the distress. This prophecy foretells the devastation of Moab, likely at the hands of Assyria or Babylon, as a consequence of their pride, idolatry, and consistent opposition to God's people. Other prophets also spoke of Moab's judgment, such as Jeremiah 48 and Amos 2:1-3.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "cry" used here is za'aq (צעק), which denotes a loud cry, often of distress, anguish, or an appeal for help. It's a raw, guttural cry, not just a soft weeping. The term "grievous" comes from the Hebrew root mar (מר), meaning "bitter" or "severe." This emphasizes the profound and bitter suffering experienced by the Moabites, where even existence itself feels like a heavy, unpleasant burden.
Practical Application
Isaiah 15:4 serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences of rejecting God's ways and opposing His purposes. It illustrates that:
- Divine Judgment is Real: While this prophecy was specific to Moab, it reflects a universal principle that pride, idolatry, and unrighteousness eventually lead to severe consequences.
- Human Vulnerability: Even powerful nations and strong individuals are ultimately helpless before the sovereign will of God. It encourages humility and reliance on the Creator rather than on human might.
- The Depth of Despair: The verse paints a picture of extreme suffering, reminding us of the human capacity for despair when hope is lost. It implicitly points to the ultimate hope found only in God, in contrast to the hopelessness faced by those under His judgment.
This ancient prophecy invites reflection on the universal themes of justice, consequence, and the ultimate sovereignty of God over all nations and human affairs.