Isaiah 15 4

Isaiah 15:4 kjv

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.

Isaiah 15:4 nkjv

Heshbon and Elealeh will cry out, Their voice shall be heard as far as Jahaz; Therefore the armed soldiers of Moab will cry out; His life will be burdensome to him.

Isaiah 15:4 niv

Heshbon and Elealeh cry out, their voices are heard all the way to Jahaz. Therefore the armed men of Moab cry out, and their hearts are faint.

Isaiah 15:4 esv

Heshbon and Elealeh cry out; their voice is heard as far as Jahaz; therefore the armed men of Moab cry aloud; his soul trembles.

Isaiah 15:4 nlt

The people of Heshbon and Elealeh will cry out;
their voices will be heard as far away as Jahaz!
The bravest warriors of Moab will cry out in utter terror.
They will be helpless with fear.

Isaiah 15 verses

Isaiah 15 4 meaning

Isaiah 15:4 vividly describes a state of widespread panic and lamentation throughout Moab due to an impending or ongoing devastation. The cry of distress begins in Heshbon, a significant city, and is heard all the way to Jahaz, signaling the extent of the calamity across the Moabite territory. Even the nation's military defenders, the armed men, are not exempt from this terror; instead of fighting, they are overcome with wailing, their very souls trembling with fear and despair from within. This illustrates the utter collapse of morale and the depth of the judgment falling upon Moab.

Isaiah 15 4 Context

Isaiah 15 is an oracle, a prophetic pronouncement of judgment, specifically against Moab, a neighboring nation located east of the Dead Sea. This chapter, along with chapter 16, depicts a sudden and complete devastation coming upon Moab, leading to widespread mourning, flight, and the destruction of its cities, economy, and national identity. Historically, Moab was frequently at odds with Israel but also shared periods of alliance or tribute. The judgment here is often associated with the Assyrian military campaigns of the 8th century BCE, which devastated many smaller kingdoms in the region, or potentially later Babylonian incursions. The prophet describes the human experience of this calamity: fear, wailing, loss, and the despair of even the most valiant. The passage underscores God's sovereignty over all nations, judging those who demonstrate pride and opposition, sometimes including antagonism toward His people.

Isaiah 15 4 Word analysis

• Heshbon (חֶשְׁבּוֹן, Heshbon): A significant city, originally Amorite, then Reubenite (part of Israel), later claimed by Moab. Its prominence means its cry would signify a major collapse, implying that if Heshbon falls, all hope is lost for the rest.
• cries out (זָעֲקוּ, za'aqu): Implies a sharp, urgent, panicked cry for help or because of sudden distress. It's a spontaneous outburst from suffering or terror, not necessarily a formal lament.
• their voice is heard (קוֹלָם נִשְׁמָע, qolam nishma'): Lit. "their sound is heard." The sound of Heshbon's distress is so potent and widespread that it travels over distance. The passive construction emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the sound.
• Jahaz (יַהְצָה, Yahatzah): Another important city in Moab, often associated with key historical events and battles (e.g., Num 21:23, Jdg 11:20). Being mentioned as the receiving point for the cry underscores the extensive geographical reach of the disaster.
• therefore (עַל־כֵּן, al-ken): Establishes a causal link. The preceding widespread panic is the reason for the following extreme reaction.
• armed men (חֲלוּצִים, chalutzim): Refers to equipped soldiers, those who are "drawn out" or "armed" for battle. These are the nation's protectors, typically courageous and resolute. Their state of despair is highly significant.
• Moab (מוֹאָב, Moab): The nation against which the prophecy is directed, historically known for its pride and idolatry, and often antagonistic towards Israel.
• cry aloud (יוֹלִילוּ, yolilu): A distinct term from za'aqu, meaning to wail, lament, or howl. This denotes a sustained, often mournful sound of deep grief, loss, or hopeless suffering, often associated with funeral rites or profound national calamity. The switch in verbs emphasizes the deepening despair.
• their soul (נַפְשׁוֹ, nafsho): Lit. "his soul" (singular, collective, referring to the "armed men" as a group or nation), encompasses the entire inner being—their life, self, spirit, will, and emotional core. It indicates that the terror has penetrated to their very essence.
• trembles (תִּרְגַּז, tirgaz): From ragaz, to quake, shake, be agitated. This describes a profound physical and emotional response to fear, reflecting intense internal distress, a loss of inner peace, and extreme discomposure.
• within them (בּוֹ, bo): Lit. "in him." The trembling is not just outward display but an internal agony, affecting their very being. It emphasizes a complete psychological breakdown of even the hardened soldiers.

• "Heshbon cries out, their voice is heard to Jahaz": This phrase establishes the geographical spread and intensity of the disaster. The panic originating in a key city like Heshbon quickly becomes a widespread public crisis, indicating an uncontainable wave of fear across the land. It’s a literal auditory spreading of bad news.
• "therefore the armed men of Moab cry aloud": The shift from za'aqu (panicked shout) to yolilu (wailing/lament) among the armed men is crucial. It signifies the end of resistance and the beginning of utter despair. These are not cries of battle but of defeat and grief. Their wailing is a direct consequence of the terror and destruction sweeping the nation.
• "their soul trembles within them": This describes the complete inner collapse of the Moabite soldiers. It's not just physical fear, but a profound, debilitating terror that permeates their entire being. It indicates psychological paralysis and a state of absolute hopelessness, undermining their ability to function as warriors.

Isaiah 15 4 Bonus section

The two distinct Hebrew verbs for crying – za'aqu and yolilu – are used deliberately. Za'aqu is often an immediate, sharp, often unexpected cry of alarm, pain, or a plea for help. Yolilu, on the other hand, describes a deep, mournful wail, typically for the dead or in profound lamentation. The progression from the urgent shout of Heshbon (za'aqu) to the lamenting of the armed men (yolilu) shows a deepening of the national anguish. It transforms from initial shock and panic into settled despair and sorrow, indicating the finality of the disaster and the loss of all hope, even among those expected to be most resilient. This semantic distinction adds depth to the prophecy, showcasing the nuanced stages of a nation's breakdown under divine judgment. The mention of Heshbon and Jahaz also serves to underscore God's extensive geographical reach and control, reminding Israel (the primary audience) that YHWH is not just their God but the Lord of all nations, whose decrees none can escape.

Isaiah 15 4 Commentary

Isaiah 15:4 paints a picture of societal collapse in Moab, triggered by an overwhelming catastrophe. The verse illustrates a chain reaction of fear and despair, starting from Heshbon, a strategic city whose cry echoes to Jahaz, signaling that no place is safe. This widespread panic directly impacts the nation's military strength. The "armed men," who represent the last line of defense and national pride, succumb to a profound, internalized terror, abandoning any pretense of courage. Their "cry aloud" is a wail of utter defeat and lamentation, a stark contrast to their usual war cry. Their very "soul trembles," highlighting that the judgment penetrates beyond physical harm, shattering their morale and inner resilience. The verse serves as a powerful testament to the futility of human strength and pride when faced with the divine decrees of judgment, revealing that even the mightiest can be utterly broken when God's appointed time arrives. It emphasizes the devastating psychological impact of impending or present desolation, leaving no room for courage or resistance.