Isaiah 16 8

Isaiah 16:8 kjv

For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah: the lords of the heathen have broken down the principal plants thereof, they are come even unto Jazer, they wandered through the wilderness: her branches are stretched out, they are gone over the sea.

Isaiah 16:8 nkjv

For the fields of Heshbon languish, And the vine of Sibmah; The lords of the nations have broken down its choice plants, Which have reached to Jazer And wandered through the wilderness. Her branches are stretched out, They are gone over the sea.

Isaiah 16:8 niv

The fields of Heshbon wither, the vines of Sibmah also. The rulers of the nations have trampled down the choicest vines, which once reached Jazer and spread toward the desert. Their shoots spread out and went as far as the sea.

Isaiah 16:8 esv

For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah; the lords of the nations have struck down its branches, which reached to Jazer and strayed to the desert; its shoots spread abroad and passed over the sea.

Isaiah 16:8 nlt

The farms of Heshbon are abandoned;
the vineyards at Sibmah are deserted.
The rulers of the nations have broken down Moab ?
that beautiful grapevine.
Its tendrils spread north as far as the town of Jazer
and trailed eastward into the wilderness.
Its shoots reached so far west
that they crossed over the Dead Sea.

Isaiah 16 verses

Isaiah 16 8 Meaning

The verse speaks of Israel's former pastoral prosperity, describing the devastation wrought by a harsh invader, leaving their pastures scorched and barren. It laments the loss of the land's fertility and the resulting hunger and desolation for the people.

Isaiah 16 8 Context

Isaiah chapter 16 continues the prophecy against Moab, introduced in chapter 15. This prophecy is a lament over the destruction of Moab by an invading enemy, likely the Assyrians. The verses describe the aftermath of this devastation, detailing the ruined cities and the suffering of the people. The specific mention of Heshbon, a prominent Moabite city, highlights the extent of the impact. The prophecy speaks to the historical reality of constant warfare and political instability in the ancient Near East, where nations could be utterly devastated. The passage reflects the theological understanding of God's judgment on nations that oppose His will or act with pride.

Isaiah 16 8 Word Analysis

• "For": Introduces a reason or explanation for the preceding lament.
• "the": Definite article, specifying the fields.
• "fields": Hebrew: שְׂדֵה (śə-ḏê) - Implies open, cultivated land used for agriculture and pasture. It signifies the source of sustenance and wealth.
• "of": Possessive conjunction.
• "Heshbon": Hebrew: חֶשְׁבּוֹן (ḥeš-bōn) - An important Amorite city on the east side of the Jordan River, later taken by the Israelites and assigned to the tribe of Reuben, and then associated with Moab. It represents a significant population center and fertile region within Moab.
• "languish": Hebrew: חָלְלוּ (ḥol-lû) - Implies weakness, sickness, or distress. Here it describes the state of the fields due to destruction and lack of care, suggesting a wilting or desolation.
• "so": Adverb, indicating consequence or manner.
• "that": Conjunction, introducing a result clause.
• "the": Definite article.
• "vine": Hebrew: גֶּפֶן (ge-p̄en) - Specifically refers to the grapevine, a vital agricultural product, known for its fruit (grapes) used for wine, a significant commodity. It symbolizes prosperity and fertility.
• "of": Possessive conjunction.
• "Sibmah": Hebrew: סִבְמָה (sib-māh) - A town known for its wine production, located near Heshbon. Its mention underscores the destruction of key economic assets for Moab.
• "was": Verb, indicating past state.
• "rendered": Implies to make or cause to become. The Hebrew verb could be interpreted as to "cause to be" or "to become," suggesting an involuntary transformation into desolation.
• "fruitful": Hebrew: מְרַצָּת (mə-raṣ-ṣāṯ) - Literally "bruised" or "crushed," suggesting the vineyards were so devastated they could no longer produce. It emphasizes the destruction of the source of joy and provision.
• "her": Possessive pronoun, referring to Sibmah.
• "plants": Hebrew: רַמָּנִים (ram-mā-nim) - Pomegranates. This adds another layer of detail to the agricultural products destroyed, highlighting the impact on varied and valuable crops.
• "of": Possessive conjunction.
• "the": Definite article.
• "nations": Hebrew: הַגּוֹיִם (ha-gō-yim) - Refers to the surrounding gentile nations or potentially the specific invading army. They are the agents of this destruction.
• "paid": Hebrew: שָׁלְמוּ (šal-mû) - Could mean "paid" or "fulfilled." Here it is likely connected to a sense of the natural consequence or the completion of the devastation brought by the nations. It implies they imposed their will and completed their destructive task.
• "no": Negation.
• "regard": Hebrew: אֵין (ʾên) - A negation, indicating a lack of value or consideration given to these valuable assets.
• "for": Preposition, introducing the reason or object.
• "its": Possessive pronoun.
• "once": Adverb of time, referring to a past state.
• "famous": Hebrew: שַׂמָּה (śam-māh) - Here used adverbially, meaning "laid waste" or "desolate." The fields that were once valuable and fruitful are now utterly destroyed. The structure might imply that what was once cherished by nations is now simply desolate. The phrasing is a bit stark, pointing to a complete ruin where even value is erased by destruction.

Group Analysis: The verse paints a grim picture by linking specific locations known for their agricultural abundance (Heshbon, Sibmah) with terms that signify utter destruction and desolation (languish, fruitful rendered no regard). The mention of both general "fields" and specific valuable crops like "vine" and "pomegranates" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the calamity. The impact of the "nations" (invaders) is portrayed as absolute, stripping away the very essence of fertility and value.

Isaiah 16 8 Bonus Section

The lament over Heshbon and Sibmah resonates with other prophetic warnings against Moab (Jeremiah 48, Ezekiel 25:8-11). These prophecies highlight a pattern of judgment on nations that acted with pride and animosity towards Israel. The imagery of desolated fields and vines was a common motif in biblical prophecy to convey divine anger and the severity of punishment, often linking environmental ruin to spiritual apostasy or political rebellion. The contrast between the past prosperity and present desolation underscores the theme of retributive justice in the Old Testament. The historical context points to a period of instability where Moab, often allied with or subjugated by surrounding powers, faced repeated cycles of conflict and destruction.

Isaiah 16 8 Commentary

This verse starkly illustrates the devastating consequences of divine judgment upon a nation. The specific agricultural elements mentioned—fields, vines, pomegranates—were symbols of prosperity and God's blessing. Their reduction to a state of languishing and desolation by the conquering nations signifies the reversal of these blessings due to Moab's transgressions or the actions God permitted against them. The inability of the invading nations to "regard" the former value of these lands emphasizes their intent to obliterate rather than conquer and exploit in the traditional sense. It's a potent image of the completeness of God's judgment on a people and their land.