Isaiah 15:6 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 15:6 mean?

Isaiah 15:6 describes a scene of total devastation, where the waters of Nimrim are dried up, and all plant life—hay, grass, and anything green—has withered away. The verse pictures a land stripped of its natural resources, emphasizing complete desolation.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking about Moab, a neighboring nation to Israel, warning them of coming judgment and ruin. This verse uses the drying up of water and vegetation as a vivid image of how Moab’s land and livelihood will be destroyed, leaving nothing to sustain life.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 15:6

• "waters" (מַיִם, mayim, H4325): This word refers to the streams or pools that would have been crucial for life in a dry region. The drying up of these waters signals a disaster for both people and animals.
• "Nimrim" (נִמְרִים, Nimrim, H5249): Nimrim is likely a specific place in Moab known for its water sources. Mentioning it by name makes the prophecy more concrete and personal for the original audience.
• "desolate" (נָשַׁם, nasham, H4923): This word often means laid waste or emptied. It highlights that the destruction is not just partial but total—nothing is left.
• "grass" (דֶּשֶׁא, deshe, H1877): This term points to the basic greenery that would feed animals and support life. Its absence underlines the severity of the drought or destruction.

Why Isaiah 15:6 matters

• Isaiah 15:6 clarifies that the judgment on Moab is not just military defeat but includes environmental collapse, affecting every aspect of daily life.
• The verse emphasizes the thoroughness of the coming disaster—nothing green or life-sustaining will remain, showing the seriousness of the warning.
• By naming specific places and using vivid imagery, Isaiah connects the prophecy to real locations and people, making the warning more immediate and relatable to his audience.