Isaiah 15
Summary for Isa 15:1-16:14: 15:1–16:14 a This message of judgment and lament concerned Moab’s fall. The extensive references to Moabite place names indicate that Isaiah was thoroughly familiar with Moab. 15:1 b Moab was Judah’s enemy, situated on the eastern side of the Dead Sea.• In one night: Destruction would be sudden and decisive.
15:2 c In the ancient Near East, actions such as shaving or cutting off their beards revealed deep sorrow (see Jer 48:37 d).
15:4 e Heshbon was the former capital of Sihon (Num 21:23-26 f).
• Elealeh was located close to Heshbon.
• Jahaz was between Heshbon and the Arnon River (see Jer 48:34 g).
15:5 h My heart weeps for Moab: The prophet joined in the lament to express the greatness of Moab’s pain.
• Zoar was in the southeastern area of the Dead Sea (Gen 14:2 i; 19:23 j).
15:6 k Identification of the waters of Nimrim is uncertain (see also Jer 48:34 l).
• dried up ... scorched ... tender plants: For the theme of natural resources drying up as a form of judgment, see study note on Isa 24:4.
Summary for Isa 15:7-8: 15:7-8 m The precise locations of the Ravine of Willows and of Eglaim and Beer-elim are uncertain.
15:9 n Dibon: The Masoretic Text reads Dimon, which is a play on the word translated blood (Hebrew dam).
• blood: Apparently many people from Moab had already been killed, but their judgment had only begun.
Isaiah 16
Summary for Isa 16:1-4: 16:1-4 o A request for asylum. 16:1 p Moab was known for its sheep (see 2 Kgs 3:4 q). The lambs were sent as tribute to Judah in recognition of Judah’s sovereignty over Moab.• Sela (the cliff), an unknown remote site, was apparently where the Moabites escaped through the desert.
Summary for Isa 16:3-4: 16:3-4 r Do not betray us ... Hide them: Moab’s situation would become so dire that they would beg for asylum in other lands.
Summary for Isa 16:4-5: 16:4-5 s This prophecy of salvation spoke of the future of David’s dynasty.
• Activities such as oppression and destruction would cease with the end of Moabite hostilities (see 2 Kgs 13:20 t).
16:5 u God would establish one of David’s descendants as king (see also 9:7 v; 11:1-5 w, 10-12 x).
Summary for Isa 16:6-11: 16:6-11 y The response to Moab’s request for asylum (16:1-4 z). 16:6 aa The Moabites’ hardened state of pride and arrogance and rage and boasting prevented them from humbling themselves before God.
16:8 ab The vineyards at Sibmah were located by the Moabite city of Heshbon.
• Moab was like a luxuriant vine that extends far and wide, but Israel’s beautiful vine reached to the ends of the earth (27:6 ac).
• The location of Jazer is unknown.
16:12 ad The hilltops were sites for pagan shrines (see 15:2 ae).
• No one will be able to save them, including the idols the Moabites called on for protection (see 40:18-19 af; 44:18-19 ag).
16:14 ah Within three years, counting each day (literally Within three years, as a servant bound by contract would count them; see also 21:16 ai): A man who had sold himself into servitude for a period of time would calculate how much time remained right down to the final day. This verse refers to events that are unknown.
• The glory of Moab will be ended, probably because of the Assyrian conquest of Moab (late 700s BC).
• only a feeble few will be left alive: Though decimated by war, the Moabites still existed during Nehemiah’s time (Neh 13:23 aj).
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