Isaiah 15:1-9 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

The Overthrow of Moab. A sudden catastrophe has overwhelmed Ar (Numbers 21:15 *) and Kir in one night. The daughter (read bath for Bayith; cf. Jeremiah 48:18) of Dibon (Numbers 21:30 *) has gone up to the high places to lament; everywhere are signs of mourning. The cry of distress is heard from Heshbon (Numbers 21:25 *) and Elealeh (Numbers 32:37 *) in Jahaz (Numbers 21:23 *). The fugitives (mg.) flee to Zoar (Genesis 19:22 *) and the third Eglath. They mount the ascent of Luhith (between Rabba and Zoar), and lament in the way of Horonaim. The waters of Nimrim have been stopped by the enemy, the pastures are parched. The Moabites carry their goods across the brook of the willows, apparently into Edom; from one end of the land to the other the howling of anguish is heard. All bloody are the waters of Dimon. A more terrible enemy (? Assyria) is to come on the remnant which has escaped.

Isaiah 15:1. Kir: probably Kerak, a very strong fortress about 17 miles S. of the Arnon.

Isaiah 15:2. Baldness and cutting off the beard are signs of mourning (p. 110).

Isaiah 15:5. Probably there were three places named Eglath, near together; the third would be intended here. The sense of mg. is that Moab (or Zoar) is a vigorous power hitherto unconquered, but now to be crushed into servitude. Nimrim: probably not Bath-nimrah (Numbers 32:36 *), which is too far N., but the Wadi Numeirah, S. of Kir.

Isaiah 15:8. Eglaim: probably at the S. extremity of Moab, Beer-elim (Numbers 21:16 *), in the N.

Isaiah 15:9. Dimon: probably the same as Dibon, the change securing an assonance with the word for blood (dâ m).

Related Commentaries of Isaiah 15:1

Isaiah 15:1-9

1 The 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;

2 He 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 cut off.

3 In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weepinga abundantly.

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.

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.

6 For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate:b for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing.

7 Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brookc of the willows.

8 For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the howling thereof unto Eglaim, and the howling thereof unto Beerelim.

9 For the waters of Dimon shall be full of blood: for I will bring mored upon Dimon, lions upon him that escapeth of Moab, and upon the remnant of the land.