For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the howling thereof unto Eglaim, and the howling thereof unto Beerelim.

ISAIAH 15:8KJV
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Isaiah 15:8 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 15:8 mean?

Isaiah 15:8 describes a loud cry of distress spreading across the entire land of Moab, reaching from its borders to specific towns called Eglaim and Beerelim. The verse paints a picture of widespread mourning and anguish affecting every corner of Moab.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking a message of judgment against Moab, a neighboring nation east of Israel. The situation is one of national disaster or invasion, where the suffering is so great that the sounds of weeping and wailing can be heard all across the country, from boundary to boundary, including notable towns. This verse emphasizes the totality of Moab’s sorrow.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 15:8

  • "cry" (זְעָקָה, ze‘aqah): This word means a loud cry or outcry, often used for a cry of distress or alarm. Its use here highlights the intensity and desperation of Moab’s situation.
  • "borders" (גְּבוּל, gevul): This term refers to the boundary or edge of a territory. Mentioning the borders shows that the distress is not limited to one area but reaches the very edges of Moab.
  • "howling" (יְלָלָה, yelalah): This word means a wailing or lament, a deep expression of grief. The repetition of this word in the verse underlines the depth and universality of the mourning.
  • "Eglaim" (אֶגְלַיִם, Eglaim) and "Beerelim" (בְּאֵר אֵילִים, Beerelim): These are place names within Moab. Naming them shows the spread of the sorrow to specific, perhaps well-known, locations, making the suffering more vivid and concrete.

Why Isaiah 15:8 matters

  • Isaiah 15:8 clarifies that the judgment against Moab is not a local event but affects the entire nation, from its borders to its towns, showing the scale of the disaster.
  • The verse’s mention of specific places like Eglaim and Beerelim helps the reader see that real communities and people are involved, not just abstract regions.
  • In the wider context of Isaiah 15, this verse connects to the theme of total devastation and fulfills the prophecy’s purpose of warning and describing the consequences of Moab’s actions.