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;

ISAIAH 15:1KJV
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Isaiah 15:1 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 15:1 mean?

Isaiah 15:1 announces a prophecy of disaster for Moab, declaring that its key cities, Ar and Kir, will be destroyed and left silent during the night. The verse sets a somber tone, describing a sudden and complete devastation that will come upon Moab unexpectedly.

Isaiah is speaking as a prophet, delivering a message from God to the people about the fate of Moab, a neighboring nation east of Israel. The “burden” refers to a heavy message or oracle of judgment. By naming Ar and Kir, two important Moabite cities, the verse highlights the seriousness and totality of the coming destruction, which would have been shocking news to anyone familiar with the region.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 15:1

  • “burden” (מַשָּׂא, massa’): This word means a weighty message or oracle, often one of judgment. It signals that what follows is a serious and solemn prophecy.
  • “waste” (שָׁדַד, shadad): This verb means to devastate or destroy completely. Its use here emphasizes the thoroughness of the destruction.
  • “silence” (דָּמָה, damah): This word can mean to be brought to silence or to perish. It paints a picture of cities emptied of life and activity, not just physically ruined but also left eerily quiet.

Why Isaiah 15:1 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the judgment on Moab is sudden and complete, not a gradual decline, which would have been a terrifying prospect for its people.
  • By naming specific cities, Isaiah 15:1 shows that the prophecy is not vague or symbolic but refers to real places and real events, grounding the message in history.
  • This verse introduces a larger section (Isaiah 15–16) focused on Moab, helping readers see the context and seriousness of God’s messages to the nations surrounding Israel.

Where else these words appear

“Kir” Hebrew H7024 · used in 5 verses

  • 2 Kings 16:9 And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.
  • Isaiah 22:6 And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.
  • Amos 1:5 I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD.

“Ar” Hebrew H6144 · used in 6 verses

  • Numbers 21:15 And at the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab.
  • Numbers 21:28 For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it hath consumed Ar of Moab, and the lords of the high places of Arnon.
  • Deuteronomy 2:18 Thou art to pass over through Ar, the coast of Moab, this day:

“silence” Hebrew H1820 · used in 14 verses

  • Psalms 49:12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
  • Jeremiah 14:17 Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.
  • Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

“waste” Hebrew H7703 · used in 47 verses

  • Judges 5:27 At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead.
  • Jeremiah 4:30 And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.
  • Jeremiah 49:3 Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together.