And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease.

ISAIAH 16:10KJV
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Isaiah 16:10 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 16:10 mean?

Isaiah 16:10 describes a scene where all happiness and celebration are gone from the fields and vineyards—there is no more singing or shouting during the grape harvest, and no wine is being made, because God has put a stop to their joyful harvest traditions. The verse pictures a complete end to the usual joy and abundance that comes with gathering crops and making wine.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking a message from God to Moab, warning them of coming judgment and devastation. In ancient times, harvest time—especially in vineyards—was a season of great joy, music, and community celebration. Isaiah 16:10 uses the loss of these joyful sounds and activities to show just how severe and total the coming hardship will be for Moab.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 16:10

  • "Gladness" (שִׂמְחָה, simchah) and "joy" (גִּיל, gil) both refer to deep happiness and festive celebration, highlighting how complete the loss is—not just work stopping, but the very spirit of the people being crushed.
  • "Singing" (רָנַן, ranan) and "shouting" (רוּעַ, rua) were typical sounds during harvest, especially in vineyards. Their absence means not just silence, but the end of community and tradition.
  • "Treaders" (דָּרַךְ, darak) refers to those who stomped grapes to make wine. The verse says they "shall tread out no wine," showing that even the basic process of making wine has stopped.
  • "Shouting" (הֵידָד, heidad) is a special word for the joyful cry at harvest time. God says, "I have made their vintage shouting to cease," emphasizing that this loss is not accidental—it is a direct result of God's action.

Why Isaiah 16:10 matters

  • Isaiah 16:10 makes clear that the coming judgment on Moab will not just affect their economy, but their very way of life and happiness, showing the depth of the disaster.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by explaining the reason for Moab’s mourning and distress—God himself is the one who brings an end to their joy.
  • This verse helps the reader understand that the loss described is not just material, but emotional and cultural, affecting every part of the community’s life.

Where else these words appear

“shouting” Hebrew H1959 · used in 5 verses

  • 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.
  • Jeremiah 25:30 Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.
  • Jeremiah 48:33 And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting.

“joy” Hebrew H1524 · used in 10 verses

  • Job 3:22 Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?
  • Psalms 65:12 They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.
  • Daniel 1:10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.

“field” Hebrew H3759 · used in 11 verses

  • Leviticus 2:14 And if thou offer a meat offering of thy firstfruits unto the LORD, thou shalt offer for the meat offering of thy firstfruits green ears of corn dried by the fire, even corn beaten out of full ears.
  • Isaiah 10:18 And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standardbearer fainteth.
  • Isaiah 32:16 Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.

“presses” Hebrew H3342 · used in 16 verses

  • Numbers 18:27 And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress.
  • 2 Kings 6:27 And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?
  • Hosea 9:2 The floor and the winepress shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her.