Isaiah 16:14 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 16:14 mean?

Isaiah 16:14 says that the LORD has declared Moab’s greatness and large population will soon be brought low, and in just three years, only a small, weak remnant will remain. This is a specific prophecy of coming judgment and loss for the nation of Moab.

Isaiah is speaking God’s message to the people of Moab, a neighboring nation east of Israel. The verse uses the image of a “hireling” (a hired worker) to show that the time frame is fixed and certain, not open-ended. The prophecy warns that despite Moab’s current strength and numbers, devastation is coming soon, and only a few survivors will be left, and they will be powerless.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 16:14

• “LORD” (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, emphasizing that this message comes with divine authority, not just human prediction.
• “hireling” (שָׂכִיר, sakir): This word means a hired worker, someone who works for a set period. The idea is that just as a worker’s time is strictly counted, so is the time left for Moab—there is no delay or extension.
• “glory” (כָּבוֹד, kavod): This word refers to Moab’s honor, reputation, and splendor. The prophecy is not just about numbers but about Moab’s pride and status being brought down.
• “contemned” (קָלַל, qalal): This means to be made light of, despised, or treated as insignificant. Moab’s greatness will be reduced to something people look down on.
• “remnant” (שְׁאָר, she’ar): This word means what is left over after disaster. The prophecy stresses that even the survivors will be very few and weak.

Why Isaiah 16:14 matters

• Isaiah 16:14 clarifies that God’s judgment is not vague or far-off but is set to happen within a specific, short time frame—three years—making the warning urgent.
• The verse highlights that even nations with great numbers and reputation, like Moab, are not beyond God’s reach or justice; their “glory” can quickly become “contemned.”
• This prophecy connects to the larger section in Isaiah where God addresses various nations, showing that His authority and plans extend beyond Israel to all peoples.