Isaiah 16:10

And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in [their] presses; I have made [their vintage] shouting to cease.

And gladness {H8057} is taken away {H622}, and joy {H1524} out of the plentiful field {H3759}; and in the vineyards {H3754} there shall be no singing {H7442}, neither shall there be shouting {H7321}: the treaders {H1869} shall tread out {H1869} no wine {H3196} in their presses {H3342}; I have made their vintage shouting {H1959} to cease {H7673}.

gladness and joy are removed from the fruitful fields. No revelry in the vineyards, no happy shouting, no one treading grapes in the wine presses - I have silenced the vintage-cheers.

Joy and gladness are removed from the orchard; no one sings or shouts in the vineyards. No one tramples the grapes in the winepresses; I have put an end to the cheering.

And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the fruitful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither joyful noise: no treader shall tread out wine in the presses; I have made the vintage shout to cease.

Isaiah 16:10 is a powerful verse detailing the impending desolation of Moab, specifically focusing on the removal of joy and prosperity associated with its famed agricultural wealth. It paints a vivid picture of a land once vibrant with harvest celebrations now silenced by divine judgment.

Context

This verse is part of Isaiah’s prophecy against Moab (chapters 15-16), a nation situated east of the Dead Sea. Moab was known for its fertile lands, particularly its vineyards and wine production, which were sources of great national pride and economic stability. The prophecy describes a time of severe distress and judgment that would befall Moab, likely at the hands of an invading empire such as Assyria, leading to widespread mourning and a complete reversal of their fortunes. The lament over the loss of harvest joy is a poignant expression of this impending doom, contrasting sharply with the customary celebrations of a successful vintage.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The cessation of joy and prosperity is a direct consequence of God's judgment upon Moab, often attributed to their pride and defiance (see Isaiah 16:6).
  • Loss of Joy and Prosperity: The verse vividly portrays the removal of gladness, singing, and shouting – the very sounds of a thriving, abundant harvest. This signifies a profound loss of economic stability and national spirit.
  • Desolation and Barrenness: The imagery of silent vineyards and empty wine presses underscores the coming desolation of the land, where the fruits of labor will no longer be enjoyed.
  • Reversal of Fortune: What was once a source of abundance and celebration becomes a scene of silence and sorrow, highlighting the transient nature of worldly success apart from God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used emphasize the depth of the loss. Gladness (שִׂמְחָה, simchah) and joy (גִּיל, gil) refer to deep, celebratory delight. The absence of singing (זֶמֶר, zemer) and shouting (הֵידָד, heidād) specifically refers to the boisterous, festive cries associated with treading grapes in the winepress. The phrase "the treaders shall tread out no wine" directly illustrates the complete failure of the vintage, removing the very occasion for such celebration. This imagery is powerfully echoed in Jeremiah 48:33, which also speaks of the joy and gladness being taken from Moab's fields.

Practical Application

Isaiah 16:10 serves as a somber reminder of several timeless truths:

  • The Transience of Earthly Blessings: Material prosperity and worldly joys are often fleeting. This verse cautions against placing ultimate hope or identity in them.
  • Consequences of Pride and Disobedience: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of Moab’s judgment (e.g., their pride) reminds us that disobedience to God often leads to severe consequences, including the loss of blessings.
  • True Source of Joy: It implicitly points to the need for a joy that transcends circumstances, one that is rooted in God rather than in the abundance of one’s possessions or harvest. As the Psalmist writes, "in thy presence is fulness of joy" (Psalm 16:11).
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 48:33

    And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; [their] shouting [shall be] no shouting.

  • Amos 5:11

    Forasmuch therefore as your treading [is] upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.

  • Amos 5:17

    And in all vineyards [shall be] wailing: for I will pass through thee, saith the LORD.

  • Judges 9:27

    And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode [the grapes], and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.

  • Habakkuk 3:17

    Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither [shall] fruit [be] in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and [there shall be] no herd in the stalls:

  • Habakkuk 3:18

    Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

  • Isaiah 24:7

    The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merryhearted do sigh.

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