Isaiah 15:5

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.

My heart {H3820} shall cry out {H2199} for Moab {H4124}; his fugitives {H1280} shall flee unto Zoar {H6820}, an heifer {H5697} of three years old {H7992}: for by the mounting up {H4608} of Luhith {H3872} with weeping {H1065} shall they go it up {H5927}; for in the way {H1870} of Horonaim {H2773} they shall raise up {H5782} a cry {H2201} of destruction {H7667}.

My heart cries out for Mo'av! Its fugitives flee to Tzo'ar, a calf three years old. They ascend the slope of Luchit, weeping as they go; on their way to Horonayim, they utter heartrending cries.

My heart cries out over Moab; her fugitives flee as far as Zoar, as far as Eglath-shelishiyah. With weeping they ascend the slope of Luhith; they lament their destruction on the road to Horonaim.

My heart crieth out for Moab; her nobles flee unto Zoar, to Eglath-shelishi-yah: for by the ascent of Luhith with weeping they go up; for in the way of Horonaim they raise up a cry of destruction.

Isaiah 15:5 presents a vivid and sorrowful picture of the impending destruction of Moab, a neighboring nation to ancient Israel. The prophet Isaiah expresses a deep lament, perhaps reflecting God's own sorrow, over the suffering that will befall Moab.

Historical and Cultural Context

Moab was a descendant of Lot (Genesis 19:37) and often in conflict with Israel, known for its pride and idolatry (e.g., the worship of Chemosh). Chapters 15 and 16 of Isaiah are known as the "Burden of Moab," a prophetic oracle detailing the desolation that would come upon this land. This judgment was likely carried out by Assyrian or Babylonian forces, serving as a divine consequence for Moab's arrogance and opposition to God's people. The cities mentioned—Zoar, Luhith, Horonaim—were significant locations within Moabite territory, highlighting the widespread nature of the impending catastrophe.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Compassion Amidst Judgment: Despite Moab being an enemy nation, the opening phrase, "My heart shall cry out for Moab," reveals a profound sense of lament, either from the prophet Isaiah or God Himself. This demonstrates that even in judgment, there is an underlying sorrow for the suffering of humanity, even for those who oppose Him. This echoes other prophetic laments, such as Jeremiah's weeping for his people.
  • Utter Desolation and Flight: The verse paints a grim scene of Moabite fugitives fleeing to Zoar, a city historically spared from destruction (see Genesis 19:22). The imagery of "an heifer of three years old" depicts Moab's former strength and vitality now reduced to a mournful, terrified state, or perhaps represents a fertile region now desolated.
  • Widespread Grief and Panic: The ascent of Luhith, a known difficult climb, is traversed "with weeping," while the "way of Horonaim" resounds with a "cry of destruction." This illustrates the overwhelming grief, panic, and widespread devastation that would sweep through the land, affecting all its inhabitants.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "an heifer of three years old" (Hebrew: eglah shlishiyah) is a poignant metaphor. A three-year-old heifer is typically at its peak of strength, beauty, and productive capacity. Its depiction here suggests that Moab, once strong and fertile, would be utterly broken and brought low, perhaps even compared to a young, strong animal now cut down or crying out in distress as it is driven from its pasture or sacrificed. This imagery powerfully conveys the depth of their loss and the shattering of their former prosperity.

Practical Application

Isaiah 15:5 serves as a reminder of several timeless truths:

  • The Reality of Consequences: Nations and individuals face consequences for their actions, particularly for pride and rebellion against God.
  • God's Heart for Humanity: Even in judgment, God's heart (or His prophet's heart, reflecting God's character) grieves over human suffering. This underscores His compassion and desire for repentance, even from those seemingly far from Him.
  • The Futility of Earthly Security: Moab's reliance on its strength and fortifications ultimately proved futile. True security is found not in human power or material prosperity, but in God.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 48:5

    For in the going up of Luhith continual weeping shall go up; for in the going down of Horonaim the enemies have heard a cry of destruction.

  • Jeremiah 4:20

    Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, [and] my curtains in a moment.

  • Jeremiah 48:31

    Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; [mine heart] shall mourn for the men of Kirheres.

  • Jeremiah 48:36

    Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kirheres: because the riches [that] he hath gotten are perished.

  • Luke 19:41

    ¶ And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

  • Luke 19:44

    And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

  • Genesis 13:10

    ¶ And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it [was] well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, [even] as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

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