Isaiah 16 7

Isaiah 16:7 kjv

Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken.

Isaiah 16:7 nkjv

Therefore Moab shall wail for Moab; Everyone shall wail. For the foundations of Kir Hareseth you shall mourn; Surely they are stricken.

Isaiah 16:7 niv

Therefore the Moabites wail, they wail together for Moab. Lament and grieve for the raisin cakes of Kir Hareseth.

Isaiah 16:7 esv

Therefore let Moab wail for Moab, let everyone wail. Mourn, utterly stricken, for the raisin cakes of Kir-hareseth.

Isaiah 16:7 nlt

The entire land of Moab weeps.
Yes, everyone in Moab mourns
for the cakes of raisins from Kir-hareseth.
They are all gone now.

Isaiah 16 verses

Isaiah 16 7 meaning

Isaiah 16:7 prophesies the profound and widespread lamentation of Moab. It describes the entire nation of Moab weeping in deep distress, specifically mourning the utter destruction of its fortified cities, most notably Kir-hareseth. The intense grief stems from the fact that their strength and security, represented by their foundational structures, have been completely shattered and they are left utterly broken. This verse marks the climactic expression of sorrow after the pronouncement of divine judgment on Moab for its pride and defiance.

Isaiah 16 7 Context

This verse is situated within the "oracle concerning Moab" found in Isaiah chapters 15 and 16. These chapters vividly describe the imminent devastation of Moab at the hands of an invading army, most likely Assyria. Chapter 15 sets the stage with widespread lamentation as Moabite cities fall. Chapter 16 begins with a plea, possibly by Moabite refugees, for protection from Judah, and a complex interplay where Isaiah seems to suggest an opportunity for Moab to find stability by aligning with God's chosen king in Jerusalem. However, this is immediately followed by a stern condemnation of Moab's deep-seated pride and arrogance in verse 6, which directly precedes verse 7. Therefore, Isaiah 16:7 describes the ultimate, inevitable outcome of Moab's rejection of God's ways and its defiant pride. The destruction of Kir-hareseth, a historically significant and well-fortified Moabite city, serves as a powerful symbol for the complete dismantling of Moab's strength and identity, confirming the pronouncement of judgment. Historically, Moab, located east of the Dead Sea, was an ancient kingdom often in conflict with Israel and frequently subjected to pressures from more dominant empires.

Isaiah 16 7 Word analysis

• Therefore (וְלָכֵן - v'lakhen): A conclusive conjunction, signaling the result or consequence of the preceding statements, specifically linking back to Moab's condemned pride and God's decree of judgment (Isa 16:6).
• Moab (מוֹאָב - Mo'av): Refers to the ancient nation and its people. Here, it is personified, making the lament deeply internal and existential for the entire collective. Its name itself potentially connects to "from a father," recalling its origin (Gen 19:37), and carries a historical legacy of animosity towards Israel and idolatry.
• shall wail (יְיֵלִיל - yeyelil): Derived from the verb ילל (yalal), meaning "to howl," "to wail loudly," often in distress or public mourning for the dead or over catastrophe. The Hiphil imperfect form suggests an intense, continuous, and inevitable action of sorrow.
• for Moab (לְמוֹאָב - l'Mo'av): The preposition 'לְ' (le) indicates the object or beneficiary of the action. Here, it tragically shows that Moab is weeping for itself – for its own destroyed people, land, and future, emphasizing a deep, self-directed grief and ultimate loss of identity.
• everyone (כֻּלּוֹ - kullo): Literally "all of it/him." This comprehensive term highlights the universality of the suffering and mourning throughout the entire nation. No person or corner of Moab will escape this anguish.
• shall wail (יְיֵלִילוּ - yeyelilu): This is the plural form of the previous "shall wail," reinforcing the widespread and collective nature of the lament, involving every individual and family within Moab.
• for (עַל - 'al): A preposition meaning "over," "on account of," "concerning," indicating the specific cause or object of the lament.
• the foundations (אַשְׁשֵׁי - ashyshey): From אָשִׁישׁ (ashish), meaning "foundation stones," "cornerstones." This term metonymically represents the very essence of a city's strength, security, and permanence. Mourning its foundations implies complete destruction, striking at the core of what gave Moab its stability and pride.
• of Kir-hareseth (קִיר־חֲרֶשֶׂת - Qir-charesheth): A major, heavily fortified fortress city in Moab (meaning "Wall of Clay" or "Fortress of the Potters"). Its name is significant, emphasizing its perceived strength and impenetrability. Its destruction symbolizes the fall of Moab's mightiest stronghold and thus its total subjugation.
• shall ye mourn (תֶּהְגּוּ - teheggu): Derived from הָגָה (hagah), meaning "to murmur," "to meditate," "to groan," or "to lament." While "yalal" signifies loud public wailing, "hagah" often denotes a more subdued, deep, or contemplative sorrow. The striking shift to the second-person plural ("ye") directly addresses the affected people or, potentially, Judahites or future generations reflecting on Moab's downfall, drawing them into the somber reality.
• surely (אַךְ - 'akh): A strong particle meaning "only," "surely," "verily," "but." Here it functions as an intensifier, underscoring the certainty or the conclusive reason for the preceding statements. It confirms the absolute truth of their broken state.
• they are stricken (נְכָאִים - nekha'im): Passive participle plural of נָכָא (nakha), meaning "to be broken," "to be smitten," "to be dejected," or "to be utterly ruined." This describes Moab's condition: they are not just sad, but fundamentally crushed in spirit and physically destroyed, justifying their deep and universal lament.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Therefore Moab shall wail for Moab, everyone shall wail": This opening phrase underscores the self-inflicted nature of Moab's sorrow and its universal reach. Their downfall, a direct consequence of their actions, results in an inescapable, nationwide outpouring of grief.
• "for the foundations of Kir-hareseth shall ye mourn": This identifies the concrete, devastating cause of the lament. The mention of "foundations" signifies total collapse, hitting at the core of Moab's perceived strength, security, and historical continuity, prompting a deep, meditative mourning.
• "surely they are stricken": This concise declaration provides the ultimate reason and confirmation for all the wailing and mourning. It is not merely a transient sorrow but a profound response to a state of being utterly broken, ruined, and defeated in spirit and structure.

Isaiah 16 7 Bonus section

• The prophetic description in Isaiah 16:7 contrasts sharply with the potential offer of mercy earlier in the chapter (Isa 16:1-5). Moab's choice to remain haughty (Isa 16:6) ultimately led to this self-lament.
• The use of two distinct Hebrew verbs for mourning (yalal – loud wailing; hagah – groaning/mourning) enriches the depiction, showing the full spectrum of their grief, from outward cries to deep internal despair.
• This intense focus on the destruction of "foundations" extends beyond just literal city walls; it subtly implies the collapse of their national identity, their idolatrous practices (worship of Chemosh), and their cultural heritage, all built on pride rather than the living God.

Isaiah 16 7 Commentary

Isaiah 16:7 stands as the bitter fruit of Moab's entrenched pride, presented as a direct consequence of its defiance detailed in the preceding verses. Having rejected humility and assistance from Judah, Moab is now abandoned to its inevitable destruction. The prophecy moves beyond general misfortune, meticulously describing the nature of Moab's downfall: an all-encompassing, deeply internal, and structurally catastrophic event. The wailing is not just noise; it is an internal outpouring of grief for Moab itself, demonstrating a loss so profound that the nation laments its very existence and the pillars of its identity. The focus on "the foundations of Kir-hareseth" highlights the loss of the deepest symbols of security and strength, implying that no defense, no historic bastion, can withstand God's judgment. The final statement, "surely they are stricken," offers no solace but rather confirms the absolute brokenness that necessitates such an overwhelming and public display of sorrow, reinforcing the severe spiritual and physical ruin wrought by divine wrath against hubris.