Isaiah 15:7

KJV

Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brook of the willows.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore the abundance {H3502} they have gotten {H6213}, and that which they have laid up {H6486}, shall they carry away {H5375} to the brook {H5158} of the willows {H6155}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore they carry away their wealth, everything they have put aside, across the Vadi of the Willows.

Berean Standard Bible

So they carry their wealth and belongings over the Brook of the Willows.

American Standard Version

Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away over the brook of the willows.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 15:7, situated within the prophetic oracle against Moab, vividly portrays the profound and devastating impact of divine judgment. It depicts the forced removal and loss of Moab's accumulated material wealth and cherished possessions, symbolizing the complete stripping away of their security, prosperity, and self-reliance. This verse powerfully underscores the transience of earthly riches in the face of God's sovereign decree, as Moab's once-proud abundance is carried away to a desolate place, signifying their utter desolation, displacement, and the futility of trust in worldly gains.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 15 inaugurates a series of "burdens" (Hebrew: *massa*), prophetic pronouncements against foreign nations, with chapters 15-16 specifically targeting Moab. The chapter opens with a sudden, catastrophic judgment, describing the swift destruction of key Moabite cities like Ar and Kir in a single night ([Isaiah 15:1](/isaiah/15-1 "Isaiah 15:1 - Moab Laid Waste")). The subsequent verses paint a picture of widespread lamentation, public mourning, and desperate flight, as the people ascend to their high places to weep and cry out. Verse 7 serves as a concrete and poignant illustration of this unfolding desolation, detailing the tangible loss of wealth as a direct consequence of the calamities described. It transitions from the initial shock of destruction to the stark reality of its aftermath, demonstrating the complete disruption of Moabite life and the tangible impact of their forced displacement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moab was an ancient kingdom located east of the Dead Sea, often in a complex relationship of conflict or uneasy peace with Israel. As descendants of Lot ([Genesis 19:37](/genesis/19-37 "Genesis 19:37 - The Origin of Moab")), the Moabites were known for their pride, their worship of the idol Chemosh ([Numbers 21:29](/numbers/21-29 "Numbers 21:29 - Chemosh, the God of Moab")), and their historical antagonism towards Israel. Moab was a fertile and prosperous agricultural land, benefiting from trade routes, which allowed for significant accumulation of wealth. The "brook of the willows" (likely the Wadi al-Hasa, identified with the Brook Zered in [Numbers 21:12](/numbers/21-12 "Numbers 21:12 - The Brook Zered")) often marked a southern border or a significant geographical feature along common trade or escape routes. The act of "carrying away" possessions reflects both the plunder by invading armies and the desperate flight of refugees, abandoning their homes and taking only what they could carry in a desperate attempt to preserve something or find safety in exile.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prominent in Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**, illustrating God's ultimate control over all nations and His willingness to execute judgment upon those who persist in pride, idolatry, and opposition to His divine will. Moab's judgment serves as a stark warning against national arrogance and self-reliance, echoing similar pronouncements against human pride found throughout [Isaiah 2](/isaiah/2 "Isaiah 2 - The Day of the Lord"). Secondly, it highlights the **Transience of Material Wealth** and earthly security. The "abundance" and "laid up" possessions, once symbols of Moab's stability and power, are rendered utterly useless and become burdens in the face of divine wrath, demonstrating that true security lies beyond fleeting temporal riches, a truth frequently emphasized in wisdom literature (compare [Proverbs 11:4](/proverbs/11-4 "Proverbs 11:4 - Riches Profit Not in the Day of Wrath")). Finally, the verse underscores the theme of **Forced Displacement and Loss**, depicting a people stripped of their identity, land, and livelihood, compelled into exile or flight, a common consequence of divine judgment in the ancient Near East.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **abundance (Hebrew, _yithrâh'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to be over and above," this feminine noun (H3502) properly signifies excellence, but by implication, it refers to wealth, surplus, or riches. In Isaiah 15:7, it denotes the accumulated prosperity, the excess goods, and the substantial material possessions that Moab had acquired. Its use here emphasizes the sheer quantity of their wealth, which now becomes a burden or a prize for plunderers, highlighting the completeness of their loss.
* **carry away (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** This primitive root (H5375) is remarkably versatile, meaning "to lift," "to bear," or "to carry" in a wide variety of applications. In this context, it conveys the act of transporting or taking away. It can imply either the forceful removal of goods by conquerors (plunder) or the desperate effort of refugees attempting to flee with what little they can salvage, underscoring the involuntary, disruptive, and burdensome nature of their departure from their homeland.
* **brook (Hebrew, _nachal'_):** This term (H5158) refers to a stream, especially a winter torrent, or a narrow valley (a wadi) through which a seasonal brook runs. A *nachal* often serves as a significant geographical feature, sometimes marking a border or a common route. When combined with "willows," it paints a picture of a specific, perhaps desolate or remote, destination for the fleeing Moabites, symbolizing their forced exile, desperate flight, and the loss of their familiar and fertile land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore the abundance they have gotten,"**: This clause refers to the vast material wealth, prosperity, and surplus that the Moabites had diligently acquired through their economic activities, trade, or agricultural success. It speaks to their established economic stability and the tangible results of their labor and resources, which were a source of national pride and security.
* **"and that which they have laid up,"**: This phrase further specifies the nature of their wealth, referring to stored goods, accumulated treasures, or possessions that were set aside for security, future use, or as a display of their affluence. It emphasizes the foresight and effort they put into securing their future, highlighting the tragic irony that these very provisions are now rendered futile and subject to loss.
* **"shall they carry away"**: This signifies the forced removal of their possessions. It implies either plunder by an invading army, where their goods are forcibly taken as spoils of war, or the desperate act of a fleeing populace, where they are compelled to abandon their homes and carry only what is absolutely necessary or possible on their arduous journey of escape.
* **"to the brook of the willows."**: This identifies the desolate destination for their forced movement. The "brook of the willows" (Hebrew: *nachal ha-`aravim*, H5158 and H6155) is a specific geographical landmark, suggesting a route of flight, exile, or a desolate border region. It symbolizes the complete displacement and the loss of their homeland, as they are driven to a place far from their former security and prosperity, a stark picture of their utter desolation.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 15:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of impending judgment and profound loss. **Symbolism** is prominent, with "the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up" symbolizing Moab's misplaced pride, self-sufficiency, and perceived security, which are now shown to be utterly ephemeral. The "brook of the willows" functions as a symbol of exile, desolation, and a forced journey away from their homeland and former prosperity. The overall tone of Isaiah 15, including this verse, is one of **Lament**, a mournful expression of sorrow and grief over the impending destruction, inviting the audience to feel the weight of Moab's tragic fate. Furthermore, the stark contrast between Moab's past prosperity and its future desolation creates a powerful sense of **Irony**, where the very things they relied upon for security become burdens or are utterly lost in their desperate flight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 15:7 serves as a profound theological statement on divine sovereignty and the transient nature of earthly security. It vividly illustrates that no nation, regardless of its wealth, strength, or perceived self-sufficiency, is exempt from God's judgment when it persists in pride, idolatry, and opposition to His will. The stripping away of Moab's material possessions underscores a universal biblical truth: true and lasting security is not found in accumulated riches or worldly power, but in a right relationship with God. This divine principle echoes throughout scripture, warning against misplaced trust and encouraging a focus on eternal values over fleeting temporal ones, reminding humanity that all earthly possessions are ultimately held in trust and can be removed by the hand of the Almighty.

* [Proverbs 11:4](/proverbs/11-4 "Proverbs 11:4 - Riches Profit Not in the Day of Wrath")
* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")
* [Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16-21 "Luke 12:16-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 15:7 offers a timeless and sobering reflection for individuals and nations alike. It challenges us to examine the foundations of our security and where we place our ultimate trust. In a world that often equates success with material accumulation and defines worth by possessions, this verse powerfully reminds us that earthly treasures are inherently fleeting and can be stripped away in an instant, whether by economic downturns, natural disasters, political upheaval, or the sovereign hand of God. For the believer, it reinforces the call to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing spiritual riches and a deepening relationship with Christ over the relentless pursuit of worldly wealth. It encourages generosity, detachment from materialism, and a profound reliance on God's unfailing provision rather than our own perceived abundance or self-sufficiency. Ultimately, it invites us to consider what truly endures and where our true hope lies, urging us to invest in what cannot be carried away by any earthly storm or consumed by the ravages of time.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "abundance" or "laid up" possessions in my life do I tend to rely on for security, rather than trusting solely in God?**
* **How does the transience of Moab's wealth challenge my own priorities, pursuits, and definition of true prosperity?**
* **In what practical ways can I cultivate a greater reliance on God's provision and a lesser attachment to material things, living with an eternal perspective?**

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

Answer: The "brook of the willows" (Hebrew: *nachal ha-`aravim*) is a significant geographical reference that likely points to the Wadi al-Hasa, which is often identified with the biblical Brook Zered (mentioned in [Numbers 21:12](/numbers/21-12 "Numbers 21:12 - Israel Crosses the Zered")). This wadi served as a natural border, often between Moab and Edom, and was a common route for travel or escape. Its mention here signifies the destination of the fleeing Moabites, symbolizing their forced displacement, exile, or desperate flight from their homeland. It represents a place of desolation, a stark contrast to the fertile lands they once inhabited, underscoring the completeness of their judgment and the profound loss of their former security and prosperity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 15:7 speaks directly to the judgment of Moab and the transience of earthly wealth, it finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. The ultimate "abundance" that truly endures is not material, but spiritual, found exclusively in Christ. He is the true and imperishable treasure, the one in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures Hidden in Christ")). The judgment on Moab, a nation characterized by pride, idolatry, and self-reliance, foreshadows the ultimate divine judgment against all sin and unrighteousness—a judgment that was fully and perfectly borne by Christ on the cross, offering redemption and reconciliation to those who believe ([Romans 3:23-26](/romans/3-23-26 "Romans 3:23-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). Furthermore, the forced carrying away of possessions by the Moabites contrasts sharply with the eternal, secure, and imperishable inheritance secured for believers in Christ, an "inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Imperishable Inheritance")). Unlike the fleeting security of Moab's wealth, Christ offers an unshakeable kingdom and a refuge that no earthly power or calamity can take away ([Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken")). He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, offering a way to escape the ultimate judgment, not by fleeing with earthly possessions, but by trusting in His finished work and receiving His eternal salvation ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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

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.

Isaiah 30:6

The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence [come] the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people [that] shall not profit [them].

Isaiah 5:29

Their roaring [shall be] like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry [it] away safe, and none shall deliver [it].

Nahum 2:12

The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin.

Nahum 2:13

Behold, I [am] against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.

Isaiah 10:6

I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

Psalms 137:1

¶ By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.