Old Testament
Isaiah 15
Overview
Isaiah 15 is "the burden against Moab," a lament more than a triumph. In a single night the Moabite towns of Ar and Kir are laid waste, and the prophet pictures the people in mourning: shaving their heads, wearing sackcloth, weeping on the rooftops and in the streets. The waters of Dibon and Nimrim run with blood and dry up, and refugees flee southward carrying their belongings. Remarkably, the prophet's own heart cries out over Moab's ruin, mingling judgment with genuine grief.
1The burden of Moab. For in a night, Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to nothing. For in a night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to nothing.
2They have gone up to Bayith, and to Dibon, to the high places, to weep. Moab wails over Nebo and over Medeba. Baldness is on all of their heads. Every beard is cut off.
3In their streets, they clothe themselves in sackcloth. In their streets and on their housetops, everyone wails, weeping abundantly.
4Heshbon cries out with Elealeh. Their voice is heard even to Jahaz. Therefore the armed men of Moab cry aloud. Their souls tremble within them.
5My heart cries out for Moab! Her nobles flee to Zoar, to Eglath Shelishiyah; for they go up by the ascent of Luhith with weeping; for on the way to Horonaim, they raise up a cry of destruction.
6For the waters of Nimrim will be desolate; for the grass has withered away, the tender grass fails, there is no green thing.
7Therefore they will carry away the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have stored up, over the brook of the willows.
8For the cry has gone around the borders of Moab, its wailing to Eglaim, and its wailing to Beer Elim.
9For the waters of Dimon are full of blood; for I will bring yet more on Dimon, a lion on those of Moab who escape, and on the remnant of the land.