Chapter 15

The lamentable state of Moab.

1. The burden of Moab. Or, “a solemn message concerning Moab.” In chs. 15 and 16 Isaiah delivers a prophecy against Judah’s eastern neighbor, Moab. Little is known of the political geography and history of Moab, and therefore much in this prophecy is not clear. Israel and Moab were frequently at war with each other. The famous Moabite Stone, found in the ruins of Dibon in 1868 (see Vol. I, pp. 120, 121; Vol. II, pp. 864, 865), tells of the subjection of Moab by Omri and Ahab and of its successful revolt under its own king, Mesha (see 2 Kings 3:4–7). Such cities as Dibon, Nebo, Medeba, Jahaz (Yahas), and Horonaim (Hauronen) mentioned in this prophecy (Isa. 15:2, 4, 5) are also named on the Moabite Stone. A similar judgment upon Moab, couched in much the same language, is recorded in Jer. 48.

Ar. Heb. Фar, thought to be a variant of Фir, meaning “city.” No city by the name of Ar is known. Compare “a city of Moab” in Num. 22:36.

2. Dibon. Here the Moabite Stone (see on v. 1) was found. This city is 12 mi. (19 km.) east of the Dead Sea and 31/4 mi. (5.2 km.) north of the Arnon. Nebo and Medeba are situated near the northern end of the Dead Sea. On the famous Moabite Stone, King Mesha boasts of having been commanded by Chemosh to take Nebo from Israel, and of having seized the city and slain there 7,000 men, women, and children, whom he devoted to his god. Medeba is mentioned by Mesha as having been taken by Omri and occupied by him and his son Ahab for many years.

Baldness. Heads and beards were shaven in token of profound sorrow. This custom may have had idolatrous significance, since the Israelites were forbidden to practice it (Lev. 19:27; 21:5; Deut. 14:1; cf. Jer. 7:29; 16:6; Eze. 7:18; Micah 1:16).

4. Heshbon. The sound of wailing would be heard still farther to the north. Heshbon (Tell HesbaЖn) is about 6 mi. (9.6 km.) north of Medeba and 151/4 mi. (24.5 km.) east-northeast of the mouth of the Jordan. Elealeh was on a hilltop 1.7 mi. (2.7 km.) northeast of Heshbon. When the Israelites first arrived the area fell to Reuben (Num 32:3, 37), but later it was taken over by Moab (see Isa. 16:9; Jer. 48:34). The location of Jahaz is not certain, but it may have been near Medeba. The Israelites defeated Sihon, king of the Amorites, at this place (Num. 21:23, 24; Deut. 2:32, 33; Judges 11:20, 21), and it was assigned to Reuben (Joshua 13:15, 18). According to the Moabite Stone, Jahaz was the headquarters of the Israelites in their struggle against Mesha, but it was captured by Mesha and added to the district of Dibon.

Soldiers of Moab. So terrible is the scourge that comes upon Moab that even the soldiers are stricken with panic and cry out in terror. Those who should help are powerless to do so, those who should be foremost in courage have been filled with terror.

His life shall be grievous. Literally, “his soul shall quiver.”

5. My heart. So terrible is the scene pictured to the prophet that his own heart is touched with pity and he cries out in sympathy for the stricken people.

Zoar. This city was probably near the southern extremity of the Dead Sea. It was temporarily spared at the time of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, later destroyed, and then, apparently, rebuilt (see on Gen. 19:22–24, 30).

An heifer of three years old. Possibly, by a reconstruction of the Hebrew text, Eglath shelishiyyah, “Eglath the third,” and if so, a town in the vicinity of Zoar.

Luhith. Compare Jer. 48:5. The site of this city is unknown.

Horonaim. This is mentioned by Mesha on the Moabite Stone (see on v. 1) as a city captured by him upon the directions of Chemosh. It is mentioned again in Jer. 48:3, 5, 34.

6. The waters of Nimrim. Also mentioned in Jer. 48:34, and possibly the site of a reservoir used for purposes of irrigation. It is believed to have been in a wadi emptying into the Dead Sea on its southeastern shore. When the reservoir was ruined, desolation spread throughout the area.

7. Brook of the willows. The desperate situation in Moab caused the inhabitants to flee the country and take up their abode at a place known as the Brook of the Willows. Where this brook may have been located is uncertain.

8. Eglaim. Neither place mentioned in v. 8 has been identified with certainty.

9. The waters of Dimon. This place has not been identified. It is possibly the same as Dibon (v. 2), in which case “the waters” would refer to the Arnon. Some take it as a stream near Madmen.

I will bring more. Great as was the judgment of blood, other judgments were to follow. The lion is possibly a symbol for later invaders (see Jer. 4:7; 5:6).