Isaiah 15:8

KJV

For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the howling thereof unto Eglaim, and the howling thereof unto Beerelim.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the cry {H2201} is gone round about {H5362} the borders {H1366} of Moab {H4124}; the howling {H3215} thereof unto Eglaim {H97}, and the howling {H3215} thereof unto Beerelim {H879}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the cry has circulated throughout Mo'av's territory - its howling has reached Eglayim, its howling has reached Be'er-Elim.

Berean Standard Bible

For their outcry echoes to the border of Moab. Their wailing reaches Eglaim; it is heard in Beer-elim.

American Standard Version

For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the wailing thereof unto Eglaim, and the wailing thereof unto Beer-elim.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 15:8 vividly portrays the overwhelming and pervasive lamentation that will engulf the entire land of Moab. It describes a desperate outcry and mournful howling echoing across its borders, reaching even distant towns like Eglaim and Beerelim, signifying the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the divine judgment descending upon the nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 15 is part of a larger collection of "burdens" or prophetic oracles (chapters 13-23) against various nations surrounding Judah, including Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Egypt. These oracles demonstrate Yahweh's sovereignty over all nations, not just Israel, and His role as the righteous judge of the earth. Chapter 15 specifically opens the "Burden of Moab" ([Isaiah 15:1](/isaiah/15-1 "Isaiah 15:1 - Burden of Moab")), immediately setting a tone of impending devastation. The preceding verses describe the sudden fall of Moabite cities like Ar and Kir, and the widespread mourning that begins at the high places and spreads to the waters of Dimon. Verse 8, therefore, intensifies this picture of distress, emphasizing the geographical reach and depth of the national lamentation, indicating that no corner of Moab will be untouched by the calamity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moab was a nation located east of the Dead Sea, descended from Lot (as seen in [Genesis 19:37](/genesis/19-37 "Genesis 19:37 - Origin of Moab")). Throughout its history, Moab often had a contentious relationship with Israel, marked by periods of conflict, oppression, and alliances. They were known for their pride (e.g., [Isaiah 16:6](/isaiah/16-6 "Isaiah 16:6 - Moab's Pride")) and idolatry, particularly the worship of Chemosh (e.g., [Numbers 21:29](/numbers/21-29 "Numbers 21:29 - Worship of Chemosh")). The oracle likely dates to the 8th century BCE, a period of significant geopolitical upheaval in the Ancient Near East, with the rising Assyrian empire threatening smaller nations. While the immediate cause of Moab's distress isn't explicitly stated as an Assyrian invasion in this verse, the language of widespread destruction and lamentation is typical of the consequences of such military campaigns. Eglaim and Beerelim were likely significant towns or regions within Moab, their mention underscoring the comprehensive nature of the disaster affecting both urban centers and rural areas.

* **Key Themes:** The central themes woven through [Isaiah 15](/isaiah/15 "Isaiah 15 - The Burden of Moab"), and particularly highlighted in verse 8, include the **Widespread Devastation and Grief** that will engulf Moab. The repeated terms "cry" and "howling" and the geographical sweep "round about the borders" to specific locations like Eglaim and Beerelim powerfully convey the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the suffering. This lamentation is presented as a direct consequence of **Divine Judgment**, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and His righteous justice in holding them accountable for their pride, idolatry, and opposition to His purposes. The chapter, including this verse, serves as a stark reminder of the severe **Consequences of Rebellion** against God's will, illustrating that even seemingly strong nations are not immune to divine wrath. This aligns with broader prophetic themes found in books like [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Book of Jeremiah") and [Ezekiel](/zekiel/1 "The Book of Ezekiel"), where God's judgment extends beyond Israel to surrounding peoples.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cry (Hebrew, _zaʻaq'_):** From H2201, this term denotes a shriek or outcry, often a desperate cry for help or an expression of anguish. Its use here signifies a profound, involuntary outburst of distress, indicative of intense suffering and fear rather than a controlled lament.
* **gone round about (Hebrew, _nâqaph'_):** From H5362, meaning "to strike with more or less violence," and by implication "to surround or circulate." In this context, it vividly portrays the sound of the cry not merely being heard, but actively spreading and encompassing the entire region, encircling the borders of Moab as a pervasive wave of sorrow.
* **howling (Hebrew, _yᵉlâlâh'_):** From H3215, meaning "a howl." This word describes a deep, prolonged, and mournful wail, typically associated with intense grief, despair, or lamentation for the dead. Its repetition alongside "cry" emphasizes the depth and duration of the national mourning, suggesting an overwhelming sense of loss and hopelessness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab;":** This initial clause establishes the pervasive nature of the distress. The "cry" (zaʻaq) is not confined to a single location but has "gone round about" (nâqaph), meaning it has circulated and encompassed the entire geographical extent of Moab's borders (gᵉbûwl, H1366). This signifies that no part of the nation, from its periphery to its interior, will escape the sound and reality of this overwhelming lamentation. It immediately conveys a sense of inescapable, widespread calamity.
* **"the howling thereof unto Eglaim,":** This phrase specifies the reach of the lamentation. The "howling" (yᵉlâlâh), a deeper and more mournful sound than a mere cry, extends all the way to Eglaim (ʼEglayim, H97). Eglaim, likely a significant town, serves as a concrete geographical marker, illustrating that the sorrow is not merely general but penetrates deeply into the settled areas of Moab, affecting its populace directly.
* **"and the howling thereof unto Beerelim.":** The repetition of "howling" and the mention of Beerelim (Bᵉʼêr ʼÊlîym, H879) further emphasize the comprehensive scope of the devastation. Beerelim, another specific location, reinforces the idea that the lamentation is not localized but has spread across the entire land, reaching even distant or less prominent settlements. The dual mention of specific places underscores the totality of the national grief and the utter desolation that will be experienced throughout Moab (Môwʼâb, H4124).

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 15:8 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey the intensity and scope of Moab's impending judgment. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, as the description of the cry and howling literally "going round about the borders" and reaching specific distant towns suggests a lamentation so widespread and overwhelming that it metaphorically covers the entire land, emphasizing the totality of the disaster. This is reinforced by **Repetition** of the word "howling" (yᵉlâlâh), which serves to amplify the sense of profound grief and despair, etching the sound of sorrow into the reader's mind. The mention of specific place names like Eglaim and Beerelim functions as **Synecdoche** or **Merism**, where parts (specific towns) are used to represent the whole (the entire land of Moab), thereby illustrating the comprehensive geographical reach of the calamity. The verse also uses strong **Auditory Imagery**, focusing on the sounds of "cry" and "howling," which allows the reader to viscerally experience the anguish and desolation gripping the nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 15:8 powerfully illustrates the theological principle of divine judgment against national pride and idolatry. The widespread lamentation is not random but a direct consequence of Moab's defiance of God, particularly their arrogance and worship of false gods like Chemosh. This verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, demonstrating that His justice extends beyond Israel to hold all peoples accountable for their actions. It reveals that God's patience has limits, and persistent rebellion will inevitably lead to severe consequences, often manifested in national suffering and collapse. The depth of the "cry" and "howling" reflects the gravity of the offenses and the inescapable nature of God's righteous wrath.

* [Jeremiah 48:34](/jeremiah/48-34 "Jeremiah 48:34 - Lamentation in Moab")
* [Ezekiel 25:8-11](/ezekiel/25-8-11 "Ezekiel 25:8-11 - Judgment on Moab")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride and Destruction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Isaiah 15:8 describes a specific historical judgment on Moab, its enduring message resonates deeply for contemporary reflection and application. It serves as a stark reminder that unchecked pride, idolatry, and rebellion against God's moral order, whether in individuals, communities, or nations, ultimately lead to profound suffering and lamentation. The pervasive nature of Moab's distress challenges us to consider the far-reaching consequences of societal sins and the ripple effects of turning away from divine truth. This verse calls us to humility, urging us to examine our own hearts and the values of our cultures, asking if we are aligning with God's righteous standards or setting ourselves up for a similar "howling." It compels us to recognize God's ultimate authority and to seek His mercy and guidance, rather than relying on our own strength or false securities. The lamentation in Moab should prompt a spiritual self-assessment, encouraging repentance and a renewed commitment to living in accordance with God's will, understanding that true peace and security are found only in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might personal or societal pride lead to widespread lamentation or distress today?**
* **How does the concept of God's judgment on nations, as seen in this verse, inform our understanding of current global events?**
* **What false securities or idols might we, individually or collectively, be relying on that could ultimately lead to spiritual "howling"?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary sin of Moab that led to this judgment?**

Answer: While Isaiah 15:8 describes the *consequence* of judgment, the broader prophetic messages against Moab (e.g., [Isaiah 16:6-7](/isaiah/16-6 "Isaiah 16:6-7 - Moab's Arrogance") and [Jeremiah 48:29](/jeremiah/48-29 "Jeremiah 48:29 - Moab's Pride")) consistently highlight their profound pride, arrogance, and haughtiness. Additionally, Moab was known for its idolatry, particularly the worship of Chemosh, which often involved child sacrifice. Their historical opposition to Israel, God's chosen people, also contributed to their condemnation. The judgment, therefore, was a divine response to their deep-seated spiritual rebellion and moral corruption.

**Are Eglaim and Beerelim significant historical locations?**

Answer: Eglaim (H97) and Beerelim (H879) were specific geographical locations within Moab. While their exact modern identifications may be debated by archaeologists, their mention in the text is significant. They are used as concrete examples to illustrate the comprehensive reach of the judgment. By naming places on the "borders" and presumably in the interior, the prophet emphasizes that the "cry" and "howling" would literally extend throughout the entire territory of Moab, leaving no city or region untouched by the impending devastation. This literary device underscores the totality of the calamity, much like saying "from coast to coast" to indicate national scope.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 15:8 details a specific judgment on Moab, its underlying themes of sin, judgment, and the need for salvation find their ultimate fulfillment and reversal in Jesus Christ. The "howling" and "cry" of Moab represent the universal human condition under the weight of sin, a spiritual lamentation for a world alienated from God. Yet, in Christ, this lamentation is transformed. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bearing the ultimate divine judgment on the cross, so that those who believe might escape the eternal "howling" of separation from God. His suffering on Calvary was the ultimate cry of anguish, not for His own sin, but for ours, fulfilling the prophetic picture of the suffering servant who [bore our griefs and carried our sorrows](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - The Suffering Servant"). Through His resurrection, Christ offers a new reality where mourning is turned into joy, and the cries of despair are replaced by the shouts of salvation ([Psalm 30:11](/psalm/30-11 "Psalm 30:11 - Turning Mourning into Dancing")). The judgment on Moab serves as a stark reminder of the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin, but it also magnifies the grace found in Christ, who offers redemption from the very consequences that Moab experienced, inviting all nations to find refuge in Him ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")). He is the true King who will ultimately establish a kingdom where [there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears"), a stark contrast to the scene described in Isaiah 15:8.

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 48:20

Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,

Jeremiah 48:24

And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near.

Isaiah 15:2

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.

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.

Ezekiel 47:10

And it shall come to pass, [that] the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a [place] to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.

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 48:34

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.