Isaiah 15:1 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Isaiah 15:1 kjv
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;
Isaiah 15:1 nkjv
The burden against Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste And destroyed, Because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste And destroyed,
Isaiah 15:1 niv
A prophecy against Moab: Ar in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night! Kir in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night!
Isaiah 15:1 esv
An oracle concerning Moab. Because Ar of Moab is laid waste in a night, Moab is undone; because Kir of Moab is laid waste in a night, Moab is undone.
Isaiah 15:1 nlt
This message came to me concerning Moab: In one night the town of Ar will be leveled,
and the city of Kir will be destroyed.
Isaiah 15 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 16:7 | Therefore Moab will wail for Moab... you shall mourn... | Continuation of Moab's lament |
| Jer 48:1 | Against Moab. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Woe to Nebo! | Parallel prophecy against Moab, very extensive |
| Jer 48:7 | For because you have trusted in your works and in your treasures, you also | Moab's trust in human efforts, not God |
| Jer 48:13 | Then Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as Israel was ashamed of Bethel, | Shame of Moab's national god Chemosh |
| Jer 48:20 | Moab is disgraced, for it is shattered. Wail and cry! Declare by the Arnon | Echoes the devastation of Moab's land |
| Amos 2:1 | Thus says the Lord: "For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I | Judgment on Moab for historical transgressions |
| Num 21:29 | Woe to you, O Moab! You are undone, O people of Chemosh! | Early woe against Moab and its god |
| Zeph 2:9 | For Moab shall be like Sodom, and the Ammonites like Gomorrah, | Devastation likened to divine judgment on wicked |
| Mal 4:1 | "For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud | Judgment day against all the arrogant |
| Prov 29:1 | He who is often rebuked, yet hardens his neck, Will suddenly be broken | Sudden destruction for obstinate pride |
| Job 34:20 | In a moment they die; at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, | Sudden, unexpected judgment |
| 1 Thess 5:2 | For you yourselves know that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in | Unexpected arrival of judgment |
| Matt 24:43 | But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the | Warning of sudden arrival of the Lord's judgment |
| Luke 17:27 | They were eating, they were drinking, marrying, being given in marriage, | Unexpected destruction, as in Noah's time |
| Isa 13:1 | The oracle concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw. | Pattern of prophecies against nations |
| Ezek 25:8 | 'Thus says the Lord God: Because Moab and Seir say, "Behold, the house of | Judgment on Moab for mocking Israel |
| Psa 78:66 | And He struck His adversaries backward; He put them to a perpetual | God's striking down of enemies |
| Psa 119:126 | It is time for You, Lord, to act, For they have disregarded Your law. | Plea for divine intervention and judgment |
| Isa 16:11 | Therefore my heart wails for Moab like a harp, And my inward being for Kir | Isaiah's lamentation over Moab's fate |
| Hos 10:14 | Therefore a tumult shall arise among your people, And all your fortresses | Sudden destruction of fortified cities |
| Rev 18:10 | Standing afar off for fear of her torment, saying, 'Alas, alas, that great | Lament over sudden destruction of a powerful entity |
| Deut 23:3 | An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the Lord; even | Ancient prohibition against Moabites and Ammonites |
| Gen 19:37-38 | The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab; he is the father of | Origin of the Moabites |
Isaiah 15 verses
Isaiah 15 1 meaning
Isaiah 15:1 introduces a prophetic utterance, often termed a "burden" or "oracle," against Moab. It dramatically declares the sudden and complete destruction of two major Moabite cities, Ar and Kir, implying their fall will occur unexpectedly "in a night." This verse sets the stage for a chapter-long lament over Moab, portraying its swift and comprehensive ruin at the hand of a divine judgment.
Isaiah 15 1 Context
Isaiah 15:1 inaugurates a section of prophecies known as "oracles against nations," specifically covering chapters 13-23 in the book of Isaiah. These prophecies demonstrate God's sovereign control over all nations, not just Israel. The oracle against Moab spans chapters 15 and 16, immediately following prophecies against Babylon and Philistia. Historically, Moab was a kingdom east of the Dead Sea, a frequent antagonist of Israel, yet also ethnically related (descendants of Lot). Their land was fertile, known for wine and agriculture. This oracle likely dates from a period when Assyria was a dominant regional power, and its expansion threatened Moab's independence, although the specific invading power is not named in this verse, allowing for divine agency. The judgment on Moab serves to highlight God's righteous dealings with proud nations who often scorned Judah and trusted in their own might and gods, particularly Chemosh.
Isaiah 15 1 Word analysis
- The oracle (מַשָּׂא - Massāʾ): This Hebrew term denotes a "burden," a "prophetic utterance," or a "heavy pronouncement," particularly one foretelling judgment. It highlights the divine origin and the weighty, often sorrowful, nature of the message. It signifies a divine decree against a nation.
- concerning Moab (מוֹאָב - Mōʾāḇ): Moab was a descendant of Lot, dwelling east of the Dead Sea. Known for its agricultural wealth, pride, and its national god Chemosh (Jer 48:7, 13). The judgment on Moab challenges the perceived power of Chemosh. Its land was fertile, allowing them to boast in their prosperity.
- In a night (בַּלַּיְלָה - ba-laylāh): Emphasizes the suddenness, swiftness, and unexpected nature of the destruction. It suggests no time for preparation, flight, or defense. This imagery intensifies the shock and inevitability of the catastrophe.
- Ar of Moab (עָר מֹוּאָב - ʿAr Mōʾāḇ): A major city of Moab, sometimes considered its capital (Deut 2:9). Its destruction signifies a critical blow to the nation's core.
- is ruined (שָׁדַּד - shāḏaḏ): This verb means to "deal violently with," "lay waste," "destroy," or "ruin." It describes utter devastation.
- and laid waste (נִדְמָה - niḏmāh): From the root dāmam, meaning to "be silent," "cut off," or "bring to silence/ruin." It conveys complete cessation, obliteration, or being brought to utter stillness through destruction. This further emphasizes the finality of the ruin.
- Kir of Moab (קִיר מוֹאָב - Qīr Mōʾāḇ): Another significant fortress city in Moab, possibly meaning "fortress city" or "wall." It was known for its strength. Its fall indicates a complete breakdown of Moab's defenses. Mentioning two prominent cities ensures the prophecy of national destruction.
- "The oracle concerning Moab": Establishes the divine decree against Moab, setting the thematic scope and authority for the following verses. It is not merely human opinion but a message from Yahweh.
- "In a night Ar of Moab is ruined and laid waste": Highlights the surprise, speed, and thoroughness of the devastation for Ar, a key Moabite center. It conveys overwhelming force applied unexpectedly.
- "in a night Kir of Moab is ruined and laid waste": This parallel phrasing for Kir reinforces the completeness of the judgment and the unexpected fall of another crucial stronghold, stressing that no place of refuge would escape. The repetition drives home the severity.
Isaiah 15 1 Bonus section
The structure of Isaiah 15, starting with such an abrupt declaration of judgment, immediately plunging into a scene of widespread lamentation, is characteristic of ancient Near Eastern dirges or funeral songs. The prophet adopts this literary form to express the profound sorrow and complete ruin envisioned for Moab. While Isaiah conveys this message of doom, there are subtle hints within the broader prophetic corpus (like in Jer 48:47, "I will restore the fortunes of Moab in the latter days") and later in Isa 16:5 ("a throne will be established in steadfast love"), suggesting that even within pronounced judgment, there is an ultimate, albeit distant, prospect of God's wider redemptive plan or a remnant. The immediate context of Isa 15:1, however, focuses entirely on the inescapable catastrophe and humiliation.
Isaiah 15 1 Commentary
Isaiah 15:1 functions as a stark and abrupt proclamation of impending judgment against Moab. The declaration that Ar and Kir—two prominent and fortified Moabite cities—will be utterly destroyed "in a night" powerfully conveys the suddenness, overwhelming nature, and totality of the devastation. This divine oracle serves multiple purposes: it demonstrates Yahweh's sovereignty over all nations, challenging the efficacy of Moab's pagan god Chemosh (whose followers would lament their inability to save their land); it highlights the consequences of national pride and opposition to God's people; and it illustrates the unexpected onset of divine reckoning. The detailed lament that follows this verse, encompassing weeping, sackcloth, and despair, underlines the complete absence of any escape or solace for the Moabites from the decreed ruin. This serves as a sober warning that even seemingly secure strongholds are vulnerable to God's ultimate decree.