Isaiah 15 WBT
Summary: Isaiah delivers "the burden of Moab," describing sudden, night-time destruction of Moab's chief cities — Ar and Kir — leaving the population shaved bald, dressed in sackcloth, wailing on rooftops and in streets. The prophet pictures refugees fleeing toward Zoar, Luhith, and Horonaim weeping as they go, crossing the brook of the willows with what they can carry, while the waters of Nimrim run dry. Isaiah himself is moved to tears over Moab's cry reaching as far as Eglaim and Beerelim, and describes the land's waters filled with blood and further calamity added upon the fugitives and survivors. The chapter reads as an extended lament rather than gloating, emphasizing the scale of Moab's suffering.
1The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, [and] brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, [and] brought to silence;
2He 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 shorn.
3In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly.
4And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh: their voice shall be heard [even] to Jahaz: therefore the armed soldiers of Moab shall cry out; his life shall be grievous to him.
5My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives [shall flee] to Zoar, a heifer of three years old: for they shall go up the ascent of Luhith with weeping; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise a cry of destruction.
6For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the herb is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing.
7Therefore the abundance they have gained, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brook of the willows.
8For the cry hath gone round the borders of Moab, her howling to Eglaim, and her howling to Beer-elim.
9For the waters of Dimon shall be full of blood: for I will bring more upon Dimon, lions upon him that escapeth of Moab, and upon the remnant of the land.
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