Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.
Therefore I will bewail {H1058} with the weeping {H1065} of Jazer {H3270} the vine {H1612} of Sibmah {H7643}: I will water {H7301} thee with my tears {H1832}, O Heshbon {H2809}, and Elealeh {H500}: for the shouting {H1959} for thy summer fruits {H7019} and for thy harvest {H7105} is fallen {H5307}.
Therefore I will weep for Sibmah's vine as I weep for Ya'zer; I will water you with my tears, Heshbon and El'aleh; because the shouts of battle are falling on your summer fruits and harvest;
So I weep with Jazer for the vines of Sibmah; I drench Heshbon and Elealeh with my tears. Triumphant shouts have fallen silent over your summer fruit and your harvest.
Therefore I will weep with the weeping of Jazer for the vine of Sibmah; I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for upon thy summer fruits and upon thy harvest the battle shout is fallen.
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Jeremiah 40:12
Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much. -
Jeremiah 40:10
As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah to serve the Chaldeans, which will come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine, and summer fruits, and oil, and put [them] in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken. -
Isaiah 15:4
And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh: their voice shall be heard [even] unto Jahaz: therefore the armed soldiers of Moab shall cry out; his life shall be grievous unto him. -
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. -
Isaiah 9:3
Thou hast multiplied the nation, [and] not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, [and] as [men] rejoice when they divide the spoil. -
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. -
Jeremiah 48:32
O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer: thy plants are gone over the sea, they reach [even] to the sea of Jazer: the spoiler is fallen upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage.
Isaiah 16:9 presents a poignant lament from the prophet Isaiah, expressing deep sorrow over the impending desolation of Moab. This verse is part of a larger oracle (chapters 15-16) detailing God's judgment against this neighboring nation.
Context
This verse is situated within a prophetic "burden" or oracle concerning Moab, a nation often in conflict with Israel, known for its pride and idolatry. Chapters 15 and 16 of Isaiah describe the utter devastation that will befall Moab, leading to widespread mourning and a collapse of their prosperity. The land of Moab, particularly regions like Jazer, Sibmah, Heshbon, and Elealeh, was renowned for its fertile vineyards and abundant harvests. The prophet's lament here reflects not only the coming judgment but also a divine pathos, a sorrow over the destruction that even God's justice necessitates. This judgment is often linked to the Assyrian invasions of the 8th century BC, though it carries timeless principles of divine reckoning.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "bewail with the weeping of Jazer" emphasizes the widespread and profound nature of the sorrow, as Jazer itself was a fertile region now associated with lament. The "vine of Sibmah" was particularly famous for its high-quality grapes, making its destruction a powerful symbol of Moab's ultimate downfall. The Hebrew word for "shouting" (hedad) refers specifically to the joyous cries of grape-gatherers during harvest. Its "fall" signifies the complete cessation of such celebrations, replaced by silence or cries of anguish. This vivid imagery paints a picture of a land stripped of its joy and livelihood, a theme also echoed in Jeremiah 48:33 concerning Moab.
Practical Application
Isaiah 16:9 reminds us that while God is merciful, He is also just. There are consequences for pride, idolatry, and rebellion, both for nations and individuals. The prophet's lament, however, also reveals a divine heart that grieves over the necessity of judgment, encouraging believers to cultivate empathy for those who suffer, even as they acknowledge God's sovereignty. Furthermore, the verse serves as a sober warning against placing ultimate trust in material wealth or earthly achievements, as these can be fleeting. True security and lasting joy are found only in relationship with God, whose kingdom and promises endure beyond any earthly harvest or prosperity, as highlighted in Matthew 6:19-21 regarding treasures in heaven.