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.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence…” By verse 3, the text has turned to “In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and…” It lands on “My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. Its subjects, actions, connecting terms, and consequences reveal how the thought develops before any interpretation is added.
Accusation, warning, invitation to return, judgment, and hope each do different work. The prophet’s first audience anchors later questions about fulfillment. Words such as Moab, howl, laid, night, silence, streets tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Isaiah 15 develops its own movement around Moab, laid, Dimon, gone, howl,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Moab, Bajith, Because, Dibon, Elealeh, Heshbon. Its number language includes one, three. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 3: “In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: Moab, howl, laid, night, silence, streets
Verse-by-verse path
- Isaiah 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…” Naming Moab and Because keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Isaiah 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…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Isaiah 15:3
“In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Isaiah 15:4
“And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh: their voice shall be heard even unto Jahaz: therefore the armed soldiers of Moab…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Isaiah 15:5
“My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting…” 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.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth…” By verse 7, the text has turned to “Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry…” It lands on “For the waters of Dimon shall be full of blood: for I will bring more upon Dimon, lions upon…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. Its subjects, actions, connecting terms, and consequences reveal how the thought develops before any interpretation is added.
Accusation, warning, invitation to return, judgment, and hope each do different work. The prophet’s first audience anchors later questions about fulfillment. Words such as Dimon, howling, Moab, waters, abundance, Beer tie the complete block together. The central idea, “Isaiah 15 develops its own movement around Moab, laid, Dimon, gone, howl,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Dimon, Moab, Beer, Eglaim, Nimrim. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 7: “Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brook of the willows.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: Dimon, howling, Moab, waters, abundance, Beer
Verse-by-verse path
- Isaiah 15:6
“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 15:7
“Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brook of the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
- Isaiah 15:8
“For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the howling thereof unto Eglaim, and the howling thereof unto…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
- Isaiah 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…” 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.
Questions to keep in mind while reading
- Identify the historical crisis, covenant failure, warning, and promised hope.
- Distinguish the prophet’s immediate audience from later biblical connections.
- Do not turn present-day headlines into confident fulfillment claims without textual evidence.
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.
Questions beneath the surface
- What account of God, human freedom, responsibility, and the good life emerges from Isaiah 15?
- Which tension does the chapter refuse to resolve quickly?
- What changes when the chapter is read as part of the whole canon rather than as an isolated moral story?
- Where might a sincere reader confuse a familiar tradition with something the text states directly?
Questions for serious personal contemplation
These open-ended questions make room for tension, honest response, prayer, and conclusions that remain accountable to the chapter.
Observe without rushing
What part of Isaiah 15 makes you stop, feel unsettled, or feel surprised, and why?
Which detail in the passage would be easiest to overlook? How does that detail change your understanding?
Where do you see tension between what happens and this focus: Isaiah 15 develops its own movement around Moab, laid, Dimon, gone, howl?
What important question does the passage leave open instead of resolving quickly?
Examine your inner life honestly
Which person, response, fear, or desire in the passage feels most like your own life right now?
What assumption about God, other people, or yourself does this text challenge?
Which part would you rather soften, avoid, or explain away too quickly? What might that reaction reveal?
If this Scripture could ask you one direct question, what do you think it would ask?
Respond with wisdom and courage
What do you need to remember, confess, grieve, thank God for, or trust after reading this passage?
How might another faithful person read this situation differently without ignoring the text?
What obedient response would be costly, uncomfortable, or slow, yet still faithful to Scripture?
What question will you carry into prayer this week, and which verses will you keep in front of you?