Isaiah 15 5

Isaiah 15:5 kjv

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.

Isaiah 15:5 nkjv

"My heart will cry out for Moab; His fugitives shall flee to Zoar, Like a three-year-old heifer. For by the Ascent of Luhith They will go up with weeping; For in the way of Horonaim They will raise up a cry of destruction,

Isaiah 15:5 niv

My heart cries out over Moab; her fugitives flee as far as Zoar, as far as Eglath Shelishiyah. They go up the hill to Luhith, weeping as they go; on the road to Horonaim they lament their destruction.

Isaiah 15:5 esv

My heart cries out for Moab; her fugitives flee to Zoar, to Eglath-shelishiyah. For at the ascent of Luhith they go up weeping; on the road to Horonaim they raise a cry of destruction;

Isaiah 15:5 nlt

My heart weeps for Moab.
Its people flee to Zoar and Eglath-shelishiyah.
Weeping, they climb the road to Luhith.
Their cries of distress can be heard all along the road to Horonaim.

Isaiah 15 verses

Isaiah 15 5 meaning

Isaiah 15:5 vividly portrays the prophet’s profound sorrow and empathetic lament for the impending devastation of Moab. It describes the panicked flight of the Moabite people from their ravaged land, seeking refuge in desperate measures and along difficult paths. The verse captures the sound of intense weeping and cries of utter destruction, painting a grim picture of widespread despair as a nation collapses under divine judgment.

Isaiah 15 5 Context

Isaiah 15 begins an "oracle concerning Moab," one of several prophetic burdens against foreign nations found in Isaiah 13-23. These oracles serve to demonstrate the Lord's universal sovereignty, not only over Judah but also over surrounding peoples, thereby reinforcing faith in Judah that their God controls history and all human destinies. Chapters 15-16 depict a widespread, swift, and comprehensive devastation of Moab's territory, affecting its cities, farmlands, and people. The desolation is total, prompting intense mourning and flight. This particular verse, Isaiah 15:5, details the initial response to this judgment—panic-stricken flight and profound sorrow.

Historically, Moab was a nation bordering Israel to the east of the Dead Sea, with whom Israel had a long, complex history of both conflict and interaction. Moab was often a symbol of national pride and relied on its fortifications and wealth, worshiping its national god Chemosh (Num 21:29; Jer 48:7, 13). The judgment described in Isaiah 15-16 likely refers to an invasion by a powerful foreign entity, such as the Assyrian Empire in the 8th century BC, which systematically conquered and devastated kingdoms in the ancient Near East, exacting tribute and carrying populations into exile. This devastation served as a polemic against Moab's idolatry and pride, illustrating the futility of trusting in human strength or false gods against the sovereign power of Yahweh.

Isaiah 15 5 Word analysis

• My heart (לִבִּי - libbi): Signifies deep, internal feeling. The prophet’s personal lament for Moab reflects genuine empathy, an unusual posture for a prophet towards an adversarial nation, and likely a reflection of divine pathos for suffering humanity.
• cries out (זָעַק - za'aq): More than just a shout; it implies a deep, guttural cry of anguish, distress, or an appeal for help. It highlights the profound suffering experienced by both the prophet and the Moabite people.
• for Moab: Despite Moab being an enemy often hostile to Israel (e.g., Judg 3; 2 Ki 3), the prophet expresses a human, perhaps even divine, sorrow for their destruction.
• his fugitives (בְּרִיחֶ֕יהָ - beriyeha): "His" refers to Moab's people. "Fugitives" indicates those fleeing in panic, highlighting the rapid onset and overwhelming nature of the destruction that compels entire populations to seek escape.
• flee: The verb itself suggests urgency, desperation, and disarray.
• to Zoar (צֹעַר - Tso'ar): An ancient city in the southern region of Moab. It was historically a city of refuge, notably where Lot fled (Gen 19:20-23). Its mention emphasizes the desperation of the Moabites seeking sanctuary in any available, even traditionally familiar, safe haven.
• to Eglath-shelishiyah (עֶגְלַת שְׁלִישִׁיָּה - ʻEg lat Shlī shiy yah): Meaning "third Eglath" or possibly "a heifer of three years." Its exact location is uncertain. If "heifer of three years," it symbolizes the strength or maturity of the escaping people, or perhaps a place far removed, implying a long and arduous journey for those trying to save themselves, reaching even the most obscure or resilient locations.
• For at the ascent (מַעֲלֵה - maʻăleh): A steep, uphill path. This emphasizes the physical difficulty, exhaustion, and suffering endured by the fleeing people.
• of Luhith (לוּחִית - Lūḥit): A specific geographical location in Moab known for its challenging ascent, intensifying the imagery of their painful exodus.
• they go up weeping (בִּבְכִי - bivchī): They are not just saddened but are actively, audibly, and collectively weeping, suggesting public displays of sorrow, anguish, and lamentation. The journey is marked by tears.
• on the road to Horonaim (חֹרוֹנַ֖יִם - Ḥorônayim): Another Moabite location, indicating a significant route taken by the fleeing people, and likely associated with a path leading to further desolation.
• they raise a cry of destruction (שְׂאֵ֥ת שֶׁ֖בֶר - sĕʼēṯ shever): A public, loud announcement of utter brokenness, ruin, and shattering. It's the ultimate sound of national collapse, demonstrating complete and overwhelming devastation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• My heart cries out for Moab: This phrase highlights the prophet's extraordinary emotional involvement. It's not a detached proclamation but a deeply felt lament, hinting at God's own sorrow over the fate of all humanity, even His adversaries, reflecting a theme of divine compassion amidst judgment.
• his fugitives flee to Zoar, to Eglath-shelishiyah: This imagery emphasizes the widespread panic and the extent of the disaster. People are not merely leaving but desperately "fleeing" to any potential sanctuary, even one as geographically or metaphorically challenging as Eglath-shelishiyah, revealing the total collapse of their social and physical structures.
• For at the ascent of Luhith they go up weeping; on the road to Horonaim they raise a cry of destruction: This paints a vivid picture of the journey of despair. The arduous climb and the named places signify specific points along a path of utter ruin. The dual sound of "weeping" and a "cry of destruction" punctuates the overwhelming national tragedy and the futility of their escape attempt against the severity of the divine judgment.

Isaiah 15 5 Bonus section

The prophet's empathy in Isaiah 15:5 and elsewhere (e.g., Isa 16:11 where "my heart moans like a harp for Moab") hints at a significant theological principle: God’s justice is often infused with divine pathos. While nations face consequences for their sins and opposition to God’s people, there is still a divine sorrow for the suffering of all His creation. This deep lament anticipates the compassion shown by later prophets like Jeremiah (e.g., Jer 9:1, 13:17) and ultimately by Jesus Himself, who wept over Jerusalem despite its impending destruction (Lk 19:41). This element elevates the judgment from mere retribution to a more complex act that includes an acknowledgment of the profound pain inherent in brokenness and separation from God. The named places like Zoar and Horonaim, and the descriptive "ascent of Luhith," are not just geographical markers but symbolic stages of a nation's final, desperate act, where even traditional places of refuge offer little solace against God's appointed hour.

Isaiah 15 5 Commentary

Isaiah 15:5 offers a deeply poignant glimpse into the consequences of divine judgment, even for an adversary nation like Moab. The prophet, rather than celebrating the downfall, expresses a profound, almost empathetic grief ("My heart cries out for Moab"). This sentiment likely mirrors God's own sorrow over human suffering and serves to deepen the tragedy, rather than merely declare judgment. The verse is rich with imagery of widespread distress: panicked "fugitives" desperately seeking safety in places like Zoar (a traditional refuge) and the mysterious Eglath-shelishiyah, representing the desperation of their plight. The scene climaxes with the powerful portrayal of people ascending the difficult "ascent of Luhith" while openly "weeping," and then, along the "road to Horonaim," raising a collective "cry of destruction." This portrays a total national collapse, where both the flight itself and the journey are fraught with agony, culminating in a public declaration of absolute ruin. The message underscores that against Yahweh's decrees, neither human fortifications, geographical escape routes, nor even a nation's strength can stand. It is a testament to the comprehensive nature of God's sovereign control over nations and the profound human suffering that accompanies divine justice.