And it shall come to pass, when it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place, that he shall come to his sanctuary to pray; but he shall not prevail.

ISAIAH 16:12KJV
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Isaiah 16:12 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 16:12 mean?

Isaiah 16:12 describes Moab’s desperate attempt to seek help through worship during a time of distress. Its people wear themselves out at a high place and go to a sanctuary to pray, but their efforts do not succeed in bringing the help they seek.

The “high place” was a raised site used for worship, while the “sanctuary” was a sacred place. The verse pictures Moab as a single person moving from one place of worship to another. Following Isaiah’s grief over Moab in verse 11, the picture emphasizes how serious Moab’s trouble has become.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 16:12

  • “place” — בָּמָה (bamah): The word often means a raised place used for worship. In “high place,” it points to a worship site rather than simply a location at a high elevation.
  • “sanctuary” — מִקְדָּשׁ (miqdash): The word means a sacred place. Here it refers to a place associated with Moab’s worship, rather than necessarily the temple in Jerusalem.
  • “prevail” — יָכֹל (yakhol): The word carries the sense of being able or having the strength to accomplish something. In this verse, Moab’s prayer does not achieve its intended result.

Why Isaiah 16:12 matters

  • Moab’s worship is portrayed as strenuous, not casual. The words “weary on the high place” picture effort that has continued until strength is spent.
  • The passage combines sorrow with a grim announcement. Isaiah’s grief in verse 11 stands alongside the statement that Moab “shall not prevail.”
  • The following verses give the announcement a time frame. Isaiah 16:14 says Moab’s honor will be brought low within three years.

Where else these words appear

“weary” Hebrew H3811 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 19:11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.
  • Psalms 68:9 Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.
  • Jeremiah 9:5 And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.

“sanctuary” Hebrew H4720 · used in 71 verses

  • Exodus 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
  • Nehemiah 10:39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.
  • Ezekiel 28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.

“pray” Hebrew H6419 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 20:7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
  • 1 Kings 13:6 And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before.
  • Job 42:8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.

“place” Hebrew H1116 · used in 92 verses

  • Leviticus 26:30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.
  • 2 Kings 15:35 Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:12 Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?