Isaiah 15:6

KJV

¶ For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the waters {H4325} of Nimrim {H5249} shall be desolate {H4923}: for the hay {H2682} is withered away {H3001}, the grass {H1877} faileth {H3615}, there is no green thing {H3418}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The waters of Nimrim are desolate, the grass is dried up, the new growth fails, nothing green is left.

Berean Standard Bible

The waters of Nimrim are dried up, and the grass is withered; the vegetation is gone, and the greenery is no more.

American Standard Version

For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate; for the grass is withered away, the tender grass faileth, there is no green thing.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 15:6 delivers a stark prophecy of comprehensive desolation upon Moab, specifically targeting the fertile region of Nimrim. This verse vividly portrays the utter destruction of natural resources, with vital water sources drying up and all forms of vegetation—from hay to grass to any green thing—perishing entirely. It serves as a potent image of divine judgment, signifying not merely a localized drought but a complete collapse of sustenance and life, leaving the land barren and its inhabitants without hope or provision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 15:6 is an integral part of the "burden" or oracle concerning Moab, spanning [Isaiah 15](/isaiah/15 "Isaiah 15 - Prophecy Against Moab") and [Isaiah 16](/isaiah/16 "Isaiah 16 - Further Prophecy Against Moab"). This section is one of several prophecies (often called "burdens") against foreign nations found in [Isaiah 13-23](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13-23 - Oracles Against Nations"), demonstrating Yahweh's sovereignty over all peoples, not just Israel. The preceding verses in [Isaiah 15:1-5](/isaiah/15-1 "Isaiah 15:1-5 - Moab's Lament") describe widespread wailing, flight, and distress across Moabite cities, setting a tone of profound national mourning and impending doom. Verse 6 specifically details the environmental and agricultural collapse that underpins this devastation, explaining *why* the people are fleeing and lamenting. It is a concrete manifestation of the judgment previously announced, directly contributing to the scenes of sorrow and despair.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moab was an ancient nation located east of the Dead Sea, often in a complex relationship with Israel, marked by periods of conflict and uneasy coexistence. Moab's history, as seen in [Numbers 22-25](/numbers/22 "Numbers 22-25 - Balaam and Moab"), included attempts to curse Israel and entice them into idolatry. The Moabites were known for their pride ([Isaiah 16:6](/isaiah/16-6 "Isaiah 16:6 - Moab's Pride")) and their worship of Chemosh, their national god. The land of Moab, particularly its central plateau and valleys like those near Nimrim, was renowned for its fertility and agricultural productivity, sustained by reliable water sources. Therefore, the prophecy of "waters of Nimrim shall be desolate" and the perishing of all vegetation would have been an especially devastating blow, targeting the very foundation of Moab's prosperity and survival. This divine judgment underscores the consequences of their idolatry and antagonism towards God's people.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within [Isaiah](/isaiah "The Book of Isaiah"). Firstly, it highlights **Divine Judgment and Desolation**, portraying God's righteous wrath against nations that oppose His will and succumb to pride and idolatry. The comprehensive destruction of natural resources signifies a judgment that leaves nothing untouched, emphasizing the totality of God's power to bring about ruin. Secondly, it underscores the **Fragility of Earthly Security and Sustenance**. The swift perishing of water and vegetation reveals how quickly human provisions and natural prosperity can be stripped away, challenging reliance on anything other than God. This theme is echoed throughout the prophetic literature, reminding humanity that true security is found only in the Lord ([Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Lord")). Finally, the verse contributes to the theme of **God's Sovereignty Over All Nations**. By pronouncing judgment on Moab, a powerful neighbor, Isaiah affirms that Yahweh is not merely the God of Israel but the supreme ruler of all the earth, orchestrating the destinies of kingdoms according to His divine purpose ([Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **desolate (Hebrew, _mᵉshammâh'_):** From the root _shāmēm_, meaning "to be appalled, desolated, laid waste." This word conveys a sense of utter ruin and astonishment, implying that the devastation is so complete it evokes shock. It is not merely empty but actively laid waste, a place of horror and emptiness, reflecting the profound impact of God's judgment.
* **withered away (Hebrew, _yâbêsh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to dry up" (as water) or "to wither" (as herbage). In this context, it specifically refers to the drying and shriveling of the "hay" (châtsîyr). This word emphasizes the loss of moisture and vitality, leading to death and decay, a direct consequence of the desolation of water sources.
* **no green thing (Hebrew, _yereq'_):** Derived from a root suggesting "pallor" or "sickly vegetation," this term refers to any fresh, verdant plant life. Its absence signifies the complete and absolute destruction of all living vegetation. The progression from "hay is withered" to "grass faileth" and finally "no green thing" indicates a comprehensive and final eradication of all life-sustaining flora, leaving behind a barren wasteland.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate":** This clause identifies a specific, vital water source in Moab—the waters of Nimrim, likely a fertile oasis or stream—and declares its impending state of utter ruin. The term "desolate" implies not just a drying up but a complete laying waste, rendering the area uninhabitable and unproductive. This is the foundational cause of the subsequent agricultural collapse.
* **"for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth":** This part details the immediate consequences of the desolation of the waters. "Hay" (châtsîyr) refers to the general field grass, and "grass" (desheʼ) refers to tender sprouts or young vegetation. Both are depicted as dying off—the hay "withered away" (dried up) and the grass "faileth" (ceases to exist, perishes). This highlights the agricultural and pastoral devastation, impacting livestock and human sustenance.
* **"there is no green thing":** This final phrase serves as a powerful summary and intensification of the preceding clauses. It signifies the complete absence of any fresh, living vegetation whatsoever. It underscores the totality of the destruction, leaving a barren, lifeless landscape, a stark image of the comprehensive judgment that has befallen Moab.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 15:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of devastation. The most prominent is **Imagery**, creating a vivid mental picture of a parched, lifeless landscape. The progression from "waters... desolate" to "hay is withered," "grass faileth," and finally "no green thing" builds a cumulative image of increasing barrenness, appealing directly to the reader's senses. This is further intensified by **Hyperbole**, as the complete absence of "any green thing" suggests an extreme and total destruction that emphasizes the severity of the judgment. While literal drought is possible, the language pushes beyond mere natural disaster to convey a divinely ordained, absolute ruin. The desolation of the waters and the death of vegetation also function as **Symbolism** for the collapse of Moab's national strength, prosperity, and indeed, its very lifeblood. Just as a land cannot survive without water and plants, a nation cannot endure when its foundations are utterly destroyed by divine decree.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 15:6 profoundly illustrates the principle of divine judgment, demonstrating God's sovereign power to bring about consequences for national sin, particularly pride and idolatry. The desolation of the most fertile areas of Moab serves as a stark reminder that no earthly security, no matter how abundant, is immune to God's righteous wrath. It challenges the human tendency to place ultimate trust in material resources or natural provisions, revealing their inherent fragility and transient nature. The verse implicitly calls for a recognition of God as the ultimate source of all sustenance and life, contrasting the fleeting nature of physical provisions with the eternal and unfailing provision found in Him.

* [Psalm 107:33-34](/psalms/107-33 "Psalm 107:33-34 - God Turns Rivers into Deserts")
* [Jeremiah 12:4](/jeremiah/12-4 "Jeremiah 12:4 - Land Mourns Because of Wickedness")
* [Hosea 13:15](/hosea/13-15 "Hosea 13:15 - Ephraim's Fruit Will Dry Up")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The stark imagery of Isaiah 15:6, though depicting an ancient judgment on Moab, resonates with timeless truths for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that all earthly provisions and securities are ultimately transient and subject to God's sovereign will. In a world that often places its trust in economic stability, natural resources, or technological advancements, this verse calls us to examine where our ultimate hope and security lie. It urges us to cultivate a posture of humility and dependence on God, recognizing that true sustenance and flourishing come not from the abundance of what we possess, but from our relationship with the Creator and Sustainer of all things. When we witness natural disasters or societal collapses, this passage reminds us that God remains on His throne, and His justice will prevail. It prompts us to seek spiritual nourishment that can never wither or fail, investing in the eternal rather than the temporal.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I tend to place my ultimate trust for security and provision in life?**
* **How does the fragility of earthly resources, as depicted here, challenge my reliance on them?**
* **What "green things" or sources of sustenance in my life might I be taking for granted, and how can I cultivate greater gratitude and dependence on God for them?**
* **In what ways can I seek spiritual nourishment that is not subject to the "withering away" of earthly circumstances?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "Nimrim" in this verse?**

Answer: Nimrim (H5249, _Nimrîym_) refers to a specific location in Moab, likely a fertile area or a stream known for its abundant waters and lush vegetation. Its mention is significant because it highlights the comprehensiveness of the judgment. If even such a renowned and vital source of life and fertility is rendered "desolate," it underscores that the destruction is not localized or partial, but total and devastating to the very heart of Moab's agricultural and economic well-being. It emphasizes that no stronghold or source of prosperity is exempt from God's judgment.

**Does this prophecy imply a literal drought or a broader destruction?**

Answer: While the language describes a literal drying up of water and perishing of vegetation, the context of a divine "burden" or oracle against a nation suggests a broader destruction that may include, but is not limited to, a natural drought. The desolation described is a direct consequence of God's judgment on Moab's pride and idolatry ([Isaiah 16:6](/isaiah/16-6 "Isaiah 16:6 - Moab's Pride")). Therefore, it signifies a complete collapse of their society, economy, and national life, with the environmental devastation serving as a powerful metaphor and a tangible manifestation of this comprehensive ruin. It's an act of divine judgment that impacts every aspect of their existence, leaving "no green thing" behind.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 15:6 speaks of earthly desolation and judgment upon Moab, its themes resonate deeply with the redemptive work of Christ. The perishing of "waters," "hay," "grass," and "green things" vividly portrays a world under the curse of sin, where life itself withers and fails. This brokenness points to humanity's desperate need for a new source of life and sustenance, one that is not subject to the fleeting nature of earthly provisions. Jesus Christ is presented in the New Testament as the ultimate fulfillment of this need. He is the [Living Water](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus, the Living Water") who, unlike the waters of Nimrim, will never run dry, offering eternal life to all who believe ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Everlasting Water")). He is the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), providing spiritual nourishment that truly satisfies and prevents spiritual perishing. In Christ, the "desolate" places of our hearts and lives are made fruitful, for He promises to make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert ([Isaiah 43:19](/isaiah/43-19 "Isaiah 43:19 - New Things in the Wilderness")). The judgment on Moab, leading to utter barrenness, foreshadows the ultimate spiritual barrenness of a life apart from God, which Christ came to reverse, bringing forth abundant life and spiritual flourishing ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")). He is the "green thing" that never fails, the source of eternal vitality in a world prone to withering.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joel 1:10

The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth.

Joel 1:12

The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, [even] all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.

Isaiah 19:5

And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up.

Isaiah 19:7

The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no [more].

Numbers 32:36

And Bethnimrah, and Bethharan, fenced cities: and folds for sheep.

Numbers 32:3

Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon,

Revelation 8:7

¶ The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.