Isaiah 15

Isaiah 15:1–9 A Prophecy of Destruction against Moab

Isaiah utters a prophecy of destruction (probably by the Assyians) against Moab and its cities. Moab, which was named after the firstborn son of Lot’s oldest daughter (Genesis 19:37), was the nation that bordered the Dead Sea on the east. Why was Moab destroyed? Because of Moab’s “pride,” “arrogance,” “rage,” “boastings,” and “evil works” (16:6). In his prophecy, Isaiah names several of Moab’s cities and places, which will be affected by the destruction—Ar, Kir, Dibon, Nebo, Medeba, Heshbon, Elealeh, Jahaz, Zoar, Eglath-Shalishiyah, Luhith, Horonaim, Nimrin, Eglaim, and Beer-elim.

Isaiah 15:1

Ar/Kir of Moab is devastated, destroyed. Ar and Kir were two of Moab’s cities that were destroyed.

Isaiah 15:2

he has gone up to the house {Moab’s temple} . . . the high places to weep. Moabites fled to their temple and high places (places of worship) to weep and to mourn, and possibly to seek help from their idols.

Isaiah 15:2–3

all their heads is baldness/every beard is cut off/girded with sackcloth. Shaving the head and beard and wearing sackcloth were symbols of mourning.

Isaiah 15:3–4

everyone wails, going down in tears. The devastation is so widespread that it affects “everyone”; even hardened “armed soldiers of Moab will cry aloud.”

Isaiah 15:5

My heart cries out for Moab. Even though Moab is one of Judah’s enemies and Isaiah prophesies of its impending destruction (see also 21:2), he still has compassion and a tenderness of his heart for Moab.

Isaiah 15:6

waters of Nimrim will be a wasteland/grass is withered. The beautiful, fruitful plains of Moab were withered because of God’s judgment.

Isaiah 15:7

the riches that they have made and laid up, they will carry away. As the Moabites flee the destruction, they will haul their wealth away, perhaps thinking their riches will save them.

Isaiah 15:9

waters of Dibon will be full of blood. This portrays the death and carnage that will exist, perhaps caused by war. a lion—to the one who escapes Moab. God sends lions to destroy those who managed to escape the other judgments. We recall that God also “sent lions” to slay the Assyrians “because they [the Assyrians] know not the manner of the God of the land” (2 Kings 17:26).