And 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.

ISAIAH 15:4KJV
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Isaiah 15:4 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 15:4 mean?

Isaiah 15:4 describes a scene of widespread mourning and distress in Moab, where the cities of Heshbon and Elealeh cry out so loudly that their voices reach Jahaz, and even the armed soldiers of Moab are overcome with grief and fear for their lives. The verse shows that the suffering is so great that even warriors, who are usually brave, are deeply troubled.

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah is speaking about the coming judgment on Moab, a neighboring nation to Israel. The mention of specific cities—Heshbon, Elealeh, and Jahaz—highlights how the entire region is affected. The verse paints a vivid picture of national disaster, where both civilians and soldiers are overwhelmed by sorrow and anxiety.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 15:4

  • The word for "cry" is זָעַק (za'aq), which often means to cry out in distress or for help. Here, it emphasizes the depth of the people's anguish.
  • "Voice" is קוֹל (qol), meaning sound or voice, showing that the cries are so loud and desperate they travel far.
  • "Grievous" comes from יָרַע (yara‘), which can mean to be bad, evil, or distressed. In this context, it suggests that life has become unbearable for the people of Moab, especially the soldiers.

Why Isaiah 15:4 matters

  • This verse makes clear that the disaster is not limited to one city or group; the whole land, including its strongest defenders, is affected.
  • The mention of the soldiers’ distress highlights the totality of the calamity—when even the protectors are overwhelmed, the situation is truly dire.
  • Isaiah 15:4 fits into a larger prophecy against Moab, showing the seriousness of the coming judgment and the emotional impact on the people.

Where else these words appear

“Elealeh” Hebrew H500 · used in 5 verses

  • Numbers 32:3 Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon,
  • Numbers 32:37 And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim,
  • Isaiah 16:9 Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.

“Jahaz” Hebrew H3096 · used in 9 verses

  • Numbers 21:23 And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel.
  • Joshua 13:18 And Jahazah, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath,
  • 1 Chronicles 6:78 And on the other side Jordan by Jericho, on the east side of Jordan, were given them out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with her suburbs, and Jahzah with her suburbs,

“grievous” Hebrew H3415 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 21:11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.
  • 1 Samuel 1:8 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?
  • Nehemiah 2:3 And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?

“Heshbon” Hebrew H2809 · used in 37 verses

  • Numbers 21:25 And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof.
  • Deuteronomy 3:2 And the LORD said unto me, Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.
  • Joshua 21:39 Heshbon with her suburbs, Jazer with her suburbs; four cities in all.