FocusThe LORD's judgment beyond Judah
Connection to the wholeThe series addresses surrounding nations and powers, locating Judah's troubles within a wider scene of divine judgment.
interpretation Isaiah 15:2
KJVHe is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off.
Read it in context
The Burden against Moab
Start reading at Isaiah 15:1 (Isaiah 15:1 to Isaiah 15:9).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The series addresses surrounding nations and powers, locating Judah's troubles within a wider scene of divine judgment.
- 15:1 The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence;
- 15:2 He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off.
- 15:3 In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly.
- 15:4 And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh: their voice shall be heard even unto Jahaz: therefore the armed soldiers of Moab shall cry out; his life shall be grievous unto him.
- 15:5 My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction.
- 15:6 For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing.
- 15:7 Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brook of the willows.
- 15:8 For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the howling thereof unto Eglaim, and the howling thereof unto Beerelim.
- 15:9 For the waters of Dimon shall be full of blood: for I will bring more upon Dimon, lions upon him that escapeth of Moab, and upon the remnant of the land.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Isaiah son of Amoz is the named prophet and the traditional author. The New Testament attributes passages from both earlier and later portions to Isaiah; scholars differ about the book's later composition and collection. Biblical references: Isaiah 1:1; John 12:38; John 12:39. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Isaiah 15:1–16:14): Moab and its communities are addressed in lament and judgment, with the prophet's hearers receiving the oracle concerning them. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Judah and Jerusalem are the principal named audience, with messages also concerning Israel and other nations. Later portions address God's people in the horizon of exile, return, and restoration. Biblical references: Isaiah 1:1; Isaiah 40:1; Isaiah 48:20. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Burden against Moab. Read Isaiah 15:1 through Isaiah 15:9 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The series addresses surrounding nations and powers, locating Judah's troubles within a wider scene of divine judgment. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The opening names the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Some passages speak toward later restoration; the time pictured in an oracle is not necessarily its composition date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Judah and Jerusalem are central, but the oracles address surrounding nations and distant powers as well. The named audience and location vary by oracle. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Burden against Moab (Isaiah 15:1 to Isaiah 15:9). Start reading at Isaiah 15:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament explicitly applies passages of Isaiah to Jesus, including the servant passage discussed in Acts 8. Use those links while preserving each oracle's immediate wording and audience. See Isaiah 53:7, Acts 8:32, Acts 8:35, Matthew 12:17. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Reject empty worship that coexists with injustice, and respond to the calls to trust and return. Preserve the named recipients and conditions of particular promises. interpretation
Cited: Isaiah 15:1, Isaiah 15:9, Isaiah 53:7, Acts 8:32, Acts 8:35, Matthew 12:17
Who wrote it, and how we know
Isaiah the prophet
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens with the vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz and names him throughout. The New Testament quotes both the earlier and later chapters as Isaiah's words.
Isaiah 1:1Isaiah 6:1John 12:38John 12:39
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition holds the whole book to be Isaiah's.
What is debatedMany critical scholars propose a second and third author for chapters 40 and following, based on setting and style. John 12 quoting both sections as Isaiah is a significant argument against that view.
Related passages
- is gone Isa 16:12 Josh 13:17 Jer 48:18,22-23
- Moab Isa 15:3 Isa 14:31 Isa 16:7 Jer 48:31,39
- Nebo Num 32:3,38 Deut 34:1 Jer 48:1
- Medeba Num 21:30 Josh 13:16
- all Isa 3:24 Isa 22:12 Lev 19:27-28 Lev 21:5 Deut 14:1 Job 1:20 Jer 7:29 Jer 47:5
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Isaiah 15
Isaiah's opening locates his vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem in named royal reigns. The book includes warnings, narratives, and promises addressed to different settings. Identify the immediate audience before extending a promise or judgment to later readers. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Isaiah 1:1 Isaiah 6:1 Isaiah 40:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Isaiah
Isaiah's opening locates his vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem in named royal reigns. The book includes warnings, narratives, and promises addressed to different settings. Identify the immediate audience before extending a promise or judgment to later readers.
Isaiah 1:1 Isaiah 6:1 Isaiah 40:1
Judah confronted and hope announced
Isaiah 1:1–12:6FocusSin, judgment, and the promised ruler
Connection to the wholeThe opening visions confront Judah's rebellion while joining judgment with promises concerning the remnant and the Davidic ruler.
interpretation FocusThe LORD's judgment beyond Judah
Connection to the wholeThe series addresses surrounding nations and powers, locating Judah's troubles within a wider scene of divine judgment.
interpretation Judgment and deliverance
Isaiah 24:1–27:13FocusThe earth, the people, and renewed worship
Connection to the wholeThe scope widens through visions of judgment, praise, and gathering, linking the LORD's rule with His people's hope.
interpretation Warnings and the way of restoration
Isaiah 28:1–35:10FocusMisplaced trust and promised renewal
Connection to the wholeWarnings against false security and accounts of judgment lead into a vision of restoration and return.
interpretation Hezekiah's crisis
Isaiah 36:1–39:8FocusAssyria, deliverance, and Babylon
Connection to the wholeThe narratives connect trust and deliverance with an announcement concerning Babylon, bridging earlier warnings and later words of comfort.
interpretation Comfort and the servant
Isaiah 40:1–55:13FocusThe LORD's saving purpose
Connection to the wholeThe movement announces comfort, challenges idols, and develops the servant passages and invitations to receive the LORD's provision.
interpretation The community and the final hope
Isaiah 56:1–66:24FocusRighteousness, worship, and renewal
Connection to the wholeThe closing chapters confront ongoing sin while presenting the LORD's promised renewal, maintaining both warning and hope.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.