Isaiahchapter 16

14 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 166 cross-references outward and receives 119 — heaviest partner: Isaiah.

Chapter summary

Lambs are to be sent from Selah to the mount of the daughter of Zion, as Moab's daughters scatter like wandering birds at the fords of the Arnon. The chapter pleads that Judah hide Moab's outcasts from the destroyer, then rises to its center: a throne established in lovingkindness in the tent of David, occupied by one judging in truth, seeking justice, and swift to do righteousness (16:5). Against this stands Moab's pride and empty boastings. Lament follows: wailing for the raisin-cakes of Kir-hareseth, the broken vine of Sibmah whose shoots reached Jazer and the sea, and vineyards where no treader treads and the vintage shout is silenced — the speaker's heart sounds like a harp for Moab. Moab's prayers at his high place fail, and Jehovah fixes the term: within three years, Moab's glory is brought into contempt.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Prophecy · Isaiah — see the Isaiah overview for the book's full setting.

1 Send ye the lambs for the ruler of the land from Selah to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.

2 For it shall be that, as wandering birds, as a scattered nest, so shall the daughters of Moab be at the fords of the Arnon.

3 Give counsel, execute justice; make thy shade as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; betray not the fugitive.

4 Let mine outcasts dwell with thee; as for Moab, be thou a covert to him from the face of the destroyer. For the extortioner is brought to nought, destruction ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.

5 And a throne shall be established in lovingkindness; and one shall sit thereon in truth, in the tent of David, judging, and seeking justice, and swift to do righteousness.

6 We have heard of the pride of Moab, thathe is very proud; even of his arrogancy, and his pride, and his wrath; his boastings are nought.

7 Therefore shall Moab wail for Moab, every one shall wail: for the raisin-cakes of Kir-hareseth shall ye mourn, utterly stricken.

8 For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah; the lords of the nations have broken down the choice branches thereof, which reached even unto Jazer, which wandered into the wilderness; its shoots were spread abroad, they passed over the sea.

9 Therefore I will weep with the weeping of Jazer for the vine of Sibmah; I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for upon thy summer fruits and upon thy harvest the battle shout is fallen.