Isaiah 16 13

Isaiah 16:13 kjv

This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning Moab since that time.

Isaiah 16:13 nkjv

This is the word which the LORD has spoken concerning Moab since that time.

Isaiah 16:13 niv

This is the word the LORD has already spoken concerning Moab.

Isaiah 16:13 esv

This is the word that the LORD spoke concerning Moab in the past.

Isaiah 16:13 nlt

The LORD has already said these things about Moab in the past.

Isaiah 16 verses

Isaiah 16 13 meaning

This verse serves as a divine authentication and concluding statement for the prophecy against Moab presented in Isaiah chapters 15 and 16. It declares that the preceding message of judgment and lamentation over Moab's destruction originates directly from the Lord. Furthermore, the crucial phrase "from of old" signifies that this prophetic declaration concerning Moab's fate is not a new or recent utterance, but a long-standing, established decree of God, reinforcing its certainty, inevitability, and divine basis.

Isaiah 16 13 Context

Isaiah 16:13 concludes a section (chapters 15-16) detailing a severe judgment against Moab, a nation located east of the Dead Sea, historically antagonistic to Israel. Chapters 15-16 lament Moab's coming desolation, its cities burning, and its people fleeing. There's a poignant portrayal of Moab's distress and an invitation for them to offer refuge to Judahites in their own distress (16:3-4), contrasting with Moab's prevailing pride (16:6) that has been noted in the previous passages. Verse 13 steps back from the vivid descriptions of suffering and pronounces divine authority over the entire prophecy. It solidifies that the detailed prophecy is not mere human observation or prediction but a decree originating from God himself, and importantly, it's not a new, sudden pronouncement, but something established "from of old." This context positions the subsequent verse (16:14) as a concrete, immediate timeline for this ancient divine decree to begin unfolding. Historically, Moab frequently engaged in conflict or diplomatic relations with Israel and Judah, and like other surrounding nations, often faced prophetic denunciation due to their idolatry, pride, and hostile actions towards God's people.

Isaiah 16 13 Word analysis

• This is the word (זֶה הַדָּבָר – zeh ha-davar):
  • Significance: This phrase immediately establishes divine authority. Zeh ("this") points specifically to the preceding prophecy in Is 15-16. Ha-davar ("the word") is a potent term in Hebrew, referring not merely to speech but to a powerful, active utterance, a decree with inherent authority and the power to accomplish what it declares. It emphasizes that what has been said is a direct communication from God.
• that the Lord (אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה – asher YHVH):
  • Significance: Asher ("that" or "which") links the word to its source. YHVH (Jehovah or Yahweh) is the sacred covenant name of God, revealing Him as the self-existent, faithful God who keeps His promises and executes His judgments. His involvement underscores the infallible nature of the prophecy.
• has spoken (דִּבֶּר – dibber):
  • Significance: The Hebrew verb dibber means "to speak" or "to declare." It emphasizes direct, intentional, and deliberate communication. God's speaking is not accidental or idle; it is a decisive act of revelation and command, guaranteeing the reality of what He utters.
• concerning Moab (אֶל-מוֹאָב – el Moab):
  • Significance: El ("concerning" or "to") clearly identifies the specific object of the divine decree. Moab is not merely an observer but the direct recipient and subject of this word, indicating its direct impact on their nation. It leaves no doubt as to whom the prophecy applies.
• from of old (מֵאָז – me'az):
  • Significance: This crucial adverbial phrase translates "from that time," "long ago," or "previously." It implies that the content or the decree concerning Moab was not a new divine revelation at Isaiah's time, but rather a re-affirmation or reiteration of an existing, long-established divine purpose or word.
  • The phrase points to either: (1) earlier, now-lost prophecies; (2) existing prophecies like Balaam's in Num 24; or (3) God's eternal counsel and foreknowledge that the prideful nature and eventual downfall of Moab was already part of His divine plan for nations. This pre-dating gives weight, certainty, and an irreversible nature to the judgment. It wasn't an arbitrary, spur-of-the-moment decision but deeply rooted in God's eternal character and justice.

• "This is the word that the Lord has spoken":
  • This combined phrase emphatically underlines the divine authorship and immutable nature of the prophecy. It transforms what could be perceived as human lament or political analysis into a definitive, authoritative declaration from the Sovereign God, carrying absolute certainty of fulfillment.
• "concerning Moab from of old":
  • This grouping highlights the specific target of God's ancient decree and the enduring nature of divine judgment. It emphasizes that Moab's fate is not subject to chance or human intervention but aligns with a predetermined aspect of God's overarching plan for all nations. It stresses God's timeless knowledge and His consistent application of justice throughout history.

Isaiah 16 13 Bonus section

The concept of God's word being "from of old" resonates deeply with the biblical theme of God's unchanging nature (Mal 3:6) and His eternal plan (Isa 46:10). It highlights that divine pronouncements, especially those of judgment, are not capricious but flow from a consistent, righteous character and an unalterable will that transcends human timelines. This makes God's warnings truly solemn and His promises utterly dependable. For the original audience, hearing that Moab's doom was "from of old" would have solidified their trust in God's sovereignty over nations and reassured them that even in times of regional turmoil, God was in control and acting according to His established purposes. It also serves as a subtle yet potent theological declaration: God is not reacting to new circumstances but acting out His ancient counsel, underscoring His omniscient foresight.

Isaiah 16 13 Commentary

Isaiah 16:13 acts as a powerful seal on the preceding two chapters, affirming that the detailed lamentation and judgment upon Moab are not mere human speculation or a prophet's emotional outcry, but a direct, authoritative utterance from YHVH Himself. The profound emphasis on "the word that the Lord has spoken" authenticates the entire prophecy as divine truth. Furthermore, the pivotal phrase "from of old" lends significant weight to this decree, signifying that Moab's impending judgment is not a novel divine decision but stems from a long-established purpose of God. This indicates a pre-existing divine intention, rooted possibly in earlier prophecies (like Balaam's), or more broadly, in God's eternal knowledge and justice concerning Moab's consistent pride, idolatry, and hostility towards His people (Is 16:6; Num 24:17-18). It underscores the immutability of God's word and the certainty of His justice, reinforcing that divine judgment is neither arbitrary nor sudden, but consistent with His righteous character, revealing His absolute sovereignty over all nations and history. This verse thus solidifies the groundwork for the exact timing of fulfillment provided in the subsequent verse (16:14), marking the transition from a general prophecy to a specific, imminent declaration of execution.