The big picture
Isaiah 15 opens in verse 1 with “The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 5 with “My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three…”, and closes in verse 9 with “For the waters of Dimon shall be full of blood: for I will bring more upon Dimon, lions…” Repeated or prominent terms include Moab, laid, Dimon, gone, howl. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Isaiah · King James Version · 9Isaiah 15:1-5
1–5: The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and…
Isaiah 15:1–5 opens with “The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence…” and reaches “My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Isaiah 15 develops its own movement around Moab, laid, Dimon, gone, howl, with particular weight carried by Moab, howl, laid.
Context that brings the passage to life
“The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of…” Naming Moab and Because keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Isaiah 15:1-5
King James Version1The 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;
2He 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.
3In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly.
4And 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.
5My 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.
Isaiah 15:6-9
6–9: For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the hay is withered…
Isaiah 15:6–9 opens with “For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth…” and reaches “For the waters of Dimon shall be full of blood: for I will bring more upon Dimon, lions upon him…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Isaiah 15 develops its own movement around Moab, laid, Dimon, gone, howl, with particular weight carried by Dimon, howling, Moab.
Context that brings the passage to life
“For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Isaiah 15:6-9
King James Version6For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing.
7Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brook of the willows.
8For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the howling thereof unto Eglaim, and the howling thereof unto Beer-elim.
9For 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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Isaiah 15:1 begins with “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…”
Where the chapter turns
Isaiah 15:7 forms a natural hinge: “Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brook of the willows.”
The final note
Isaiah 15:9 leaves the reader with “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.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Moab, laid, Dimon, gone, howl, howling help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What is Abram invited to trust?
God's promise of an heir and innumerable descendants despite his present childlessness.
Why does the delay matter?
The covenant is larger than one lifetime and includes suffering before deliverance.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.