← Back to Isaiah

Isaiah 15

9 verses

TL;DR

Isaiah 15 is a lamentation for Moab, depicting its downfall and the sorrow of its people.

Summary

The chapter portrays Moab's destruction through vivid images of devastation, mourning, and loss of life. It describes the night when the Moabite king is slain, and the subsequent desolation of cities like Ar, Kir, and Heshbon. The people weep, don sackcloth, and lament in every street and house. Moab's former strength and wealth are reduced to ruins, with the waters of Nimrim becoming desolate and the grasses dying. Even the borders of Moab feel the grief, with cries reaching distant regions such as Eglaim and Beerelim. The chapter ends with a vision of bloodied waters in Dimon, foretelling further suffering for those who escape from the ruined land.

Outline
  1. The night of Moab's king's destruction and the immediate aftermath
  2. Public mourning and symbolic loss of life and resources
  3. Broader regional impact and prophetic vision of ongoing calamity
Themes
Judgment and lamentationThe vulnerability of human pride and powerThe prophetic vision of divine retribution
Keywords
Moablamentationsackclothdesolationjudgmentprophecybloodweeping
People
MoabArKirBajithDibonNeboMedebaHeshbonElealehJahazLuhithHoronaimZoar
Places
MoabArKirBajithDibonNeboMedebaHeshbonElealehJahazLuhithHoronaimZoarNimrimDimonEglaimBeerelim
Things
sackclothbaldnessweepingdesolate waterswithered haylionsblood
Key Verses
  • Isaiah 15:1: It sets the tone of doom, depicting the night when Moab's king is killed and the land is plunged into silence.
  • Isaiah 15:6: Shows the ecological collapse—water turning desolate and vegetation withering—emphasizing the totality of judgment.
Questions
  • Why does Isaiah choose such graphic imagery to describe Moab’s downfall?
  • How does the lament for Moab reflect Israel’s relationship with neighboring nations?
  • What does the mention of environmental collapse (dry water, withered grass) suggest about divine judgment?
  • In what way might the themes of judgment and lamentation in Isaiah 15 connect to later prophetic literature?
Sentiment

negative
The chapter expresses profound sorrow and condemnation, depicting suffering and loss.