Isaiah 16:2

For it shall be, [that], as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, [so] the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.

For it shall be, that, as a wandering {H5074} bird {H5775} cast out {H7971} of the nest {H7064}, so the daughters {H1323} of Moab {H4124} shall be at the fords {H4569} of Arnon {H769}.

The daughters of Mo'av at the fords of the Arnon are like fluttering birds pushed from the nest.

Like fluttering birds pushed out of the nest, so are the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon:

For it shall be that, as wandering birds, as a scattered nest, so shall the daughters of Moab be at the fords of the Arnon.

Isaiah 16:2 paints a poignant picture of the future distress of Moab, likening its people to vulnerable, displaced birds. This verse is part of a larger prophetic oracle (Isaiah 15-16) concerning the judgment and eventual restoration (though not explicitly in this verse) of Moab, a nation historically related to and often in conflict with Israel.

Context

This verse falls within what is known as the "Burden of Moab" (Isaiah 15-16), a prophecy detailing the imminent destruction and desolation of the Moabite territory. Following the vivid descriptions of Moab's cities weeping and its people lamenting in Isaiah 15, chapter 16 shifts to the desperate state of its inhabitants. The prophecy suggests that Moab's pride and resistance to God's will (as seen in other prophetic condemnations, e.g., Jeremiah 48:29) will lead to its downfall. The "fords of Arnon" refer to the crossings of the Arnon River, a significant geographical boundary that often marked the northern border of Moab. For the "daughters of Moab" to be there signifies them fleeing, seeking refuge, or being driven out of their homes.

Key Themes

  • Vulnerability and Displacement: The central image of a "wandering bird cast out of the nest" powerfully conveys utter homelessness, insecurity, and the loss of protection. It highlights the desperate plight of refugees, stripped of their usual safeguards and forced to wander aimlessly.
  • Divine Judgment: The suffering of Moab is presented as a consequence of divine judgment. While the immediate cause might be an invading army (often identified as Assyria), the underlying theological message is that nations, like individuals, are accountable before God for their actions, particularly their pride and opposition to His purposes.
  • Compassion in Prophecy: Despite the pronouncement of judgment, there's often an underlying tone of pathos in prophetic literature, including for enemy nations. The imagery here evokes sympathy for the victims, even as it underscores the severity of the consequences of sin and rebellion.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "wandering bird cast out of the nest" (כְּצִפֹּר נוֹדֶדֶת מִן־קֵן - k'tzippor nodedet min-ken) is highly evocative. The word for "wandering" (נוֹדֶדֶת - nodedet) implies restless movement, lacking a fixed destination or place of rest. "Cast out of the nest" emphasizes the loss of the most basic form of security and belonging. This vivid simile effectively communicates the utter destitution and terror faced by the Moabite women and children, who would be among the most vulnerable in such a crisis.

Related Scriptures

  • The origins of Moab and its relationship with Israel can be traced back to Genesis 19:37.
  • The theme of nations being judged for their pride is common throughout prophetic books, for example, in Isaiah 25:10 concerning Moab itself, or more broadly in Amos 1-2.
  • The imagery of displacement and seeking refuge at borders resonates with other biblical accounts of flight and exile, such as the Israelites' experience of being scattered among nations as a consequence of disobedience.

Practical Application

Isaiah 16:2 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths:

  1. The Fragility of Security: Human security, wealth, and national strength are ultimately temporary and can be stripped away. This verse highlights the vulnerability of all nations and peoples apart from God's sustaining hand.
  2. Consequences of Pride and Rebellion: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of the Moabite prophecy links their downfall to their pride and opposition to God. It's a sobering reminder that defiance of God's ways leads to devastating consequences.
  3. Compassion for the Displaced: The vivid imagery of the "wandering bird" should stir compassion within us for those who are displaced, refugees, or without a home in our own time. The Bible frequently calls believers to care for the stranger and the vulnerable, echoing principles found in Deuteronomy 10:18 and Matthew 25:35.

Reflection

This verse, though part of a prophecy of judgment, offers a profound insight into the human condition when stripped of security. It challenges us to consider the source of our own stability and to extend empathy to those experiencing similar forms of displacement and distress in the world today. The prophetic word not only reveals God's justice but also His deep understanding of human suffering.

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.

  • Proverbs 27:8

    ¶ As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so [is] a man that wandereth from his place.

  • Judges 11:18

    Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of Moab: for Arnon [was] the border of Moab.

  • Deuteronomy 2:36

    From Aroer, which [is] by the brink of the river of Arnon, and [from] the city that [is] by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us:

  • Deuteronomy 3:8

    And we took at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites the land that [was] on this side Jordan, from the river of Arnon unto mount Hermon;

  • Jeremiah 48:20

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

  • Numbers 21:13

    From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which [is] in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon [is] the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.

  • Numbers 21:15

    And at the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back