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 15:1KJVWhat 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.