Isaiah 16:3 kjv
Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth.
Isaiah 16:3 nkjv
"Take counsel, execute judgment; Make your shadow like the night in the middle of the day; Hide the outcasts, Do not betray him who escapes.
Isaiah 16:3 niv
"Make up your mind," Moab says. "Render a decision. Make your shadow like night? at high noon. Hide the fugitives, do not betray the refugees.
Isaiah 16:3 esv
"Give counsel; grant justice; make your shade like night at the height of noon; shelter the outcasts; do not reveal the fugitive;
Isaiah 16:3 nlt
"Help us," they cry.
"Defend us against our enemies.
Protect us from their relentless attack.
Do not betray us now that we have escaped.
Isaiah 16 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 16:4 | Let my outcasts dwell with you; be a refuge from the destroyer. | Continues the plea for refuge and protection. |
| Micah 4:1 | Nations shall come and say, "Come, let us go up... | Echoes the theme of nations seeking refuge. |
| Jeremiah 49:11 | Leave your orphans; I will protect them. | Similar compassionate command. |
| Psalm 41:1 | Blessed is the one who considers the weak... | Connects to the blessedness of showing mercy. |
| Proverbs 14:21 | Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner... | Warns against a lack of compassion. |
| Matthew 5:7 | "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." | Jesus' teaching on mercy. |
| Matthew 18:21-22 | Forgiveness extended generously. | Parable of the unforgiving servant. |
| Luke 6:36 | "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." | Christ's command to be merciful. |
| Galatians 6:2 | "Bear one another's burdens..." | Encourages mutual support. |
| Hebrews 13:16 | "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have..." | Exhortation to good deeds and sharing. |
| James 2:13 | For judgment will be without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. | Consequences of lacking mercy. |
| Romans 12:15 | "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." | Empathy and shared feelings. |
| Romans 15:1 | We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak. | Responsibility to help the weak. |
| Ephesians 4:32 | Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another... | Similar exhortation to kindness. |
| Colossians 3:12 | Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved... | Clothing ourselves with compassion. |
| 1 Peter 4:8 | Above all, keep loving one another earnestly... | Emphasis on fervent love. |
| 1 John 3:17-18 | But if someone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need... | Practical demonstration of love. |
| Psalm 55:22 | Cast your burden on the LORD... | Trusting God with our troubles. |
| Isaiah 25:4 | You have been a stronghold for the poor... | God as a refuge for the poor. |
| Isaiah 33:16 | He will dwell on the heights... | God's provision for those who walk righteously. |
Isaiah 16 verses
Isaiah 16 3 Meaning
This verse is a plea to the people of Moab to show kindness and compassion, offering them refuge and protection. It emphasizes mercy and support for those in distress.
Isaiah 16 3 Context
This verse is part of a larger prophetic oracle concerning Moab in Isaiah chapter 16. Isaiah is calling upon Moab to provide refuge for the "outcasts" or "banished" of Israel. This message comes after the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel to Assyria (circa 722 BC). The "outcasts" likely refer to refugees fleeing from the Assyrian threat or internal strife within Israel. The context highlights the consequences of geopolitical instability and the humanitarian crisis it creates. The oracle implicitly calls for Israel's people, even in their distress, to extend compassion, mirroring God's own compassionate nature.
Isaiah 16 3 Word Analysis
"Let": An imperative verb, conveying a command or a strong entreaty.
"my outcasts": The possessive "my" signifies a belonging or connection of these people to the speaker, implied to be Israel or God speaking through Isaiah. The term for "outcasts" (nedēḥîm, נְדָחִים) means those driven out, dispersed, or scattered.
"dwell": (lîn, לִין) Means to lodge, reside, abide, or spend the night. It suggests a request for temporary or settled habitation.
"with you": Directly addressing Moab, calling for solidarity and shared living space.
"be": Another imperative verb, reinforcing the command to provide.
"a refuge": (māʿôn, מָעוֹן) Can mean dwelling place, habitation, or a place of safety and shelter.
"from the destroyer": The "destroyer" (mišḥît, מַשְׁחִית) refers to an oppressor, a plunderer, or a force that brings ruin, very likely representing the Assyrian empire in this context.
Word Group Analysis:
- "Let my outcasts dwell with you": This phrase functions as a unit of request, a direct appeal for sanctuary and a place of belonging for those who are vulnerable and displaced. It tests the neighborly obligations of Moab towards a related people.
- "be a refuge from the destroyer": This phrase specifies the nature of the protection required – it's not just about offering a place to stay, but about actively shielding them from a palpable threat, the force of Assyria that sought to annihilate and disperse populations.
Isaiah 16 3 Bonus Section
The oracle concerning Moab in Isaiah 15-16 is significant because it addresses a neighboring nation of Israel. While often depicted as an adversary, in this passage, Israel (or Judah) is the one in need of help, and Moab is being urged to demonstrate a form of solidarity. This unexpected shift in the prophetic dynamic underscores the universal principles of compassion that should govern all human interactions, regardless of historical grievances. The call to Moab is a test of their character and a reflection of the ideal community envisioned by God, where the vulnerable are protected and shared humanity is prioritized. The vulnerability of Israel at this time (following the Northern Kingdom's demise) makes this plea particularly poignant.
Isaiah 16 3 Commentary
The verse serves as an appeal for empathy and action. It transcends political alliances and calls for basic human kindness in the face of a shared threat. It is a prophetic expectation that a people, especially one with some familial ties or shared cultural roots, would extend sanctuary to those fleeing annihilation. This act of compassion is presented as a virtue, aligning with the broader biblical narrative of caring for the stranger and the oppressed. The call to Moab to be a refuge is not merely a political suggestion but a moral imperative, echoing the covenantal responsibilities of peoples towards one another, and ultimately reflecting God's own merciful character.