Isaiah 16:7 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 16:7 mean?

Isaiah 16:7 describes how the people of Moab will mourn deeply for their own nation, crying out in grief because the stronghold of Kirhareseth, a key city, has been devastated. The verse emphasizes the total sorrow and sense of loss that will sweep over Moab as its foundations are struck down.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking about the coming judgment on Moab, a neighboring nation to Israel. This verse is part of a larger prophecy where Isaiah warns Moab of disaster and destruction. The mention of Kirhareseth, an important Moabite city, highlights how even the most secure places in Moab will not escape suffering, and the repeated use of words for mourning shows just how widespread and intense the grief will be.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 16:7

• "Howl" (יָלַל, yalal): This word means to wail or cry out in anguish, often used for deep, public mourning. Its repetition in the verse underlines the intensity and universality of Moab’s grief.
• "Foundations" (מְסָדוֹת, mĕsadot): This word refers to the base or support of a structure, suggesting that the very stability of Kirhareseth is being destroyed, not just its surface or appearance.
• "Mourn" (הָגָה, hagah): While often translated as "meditate" or "mutter," here it carries the sense of low, mournful sounds—showing that the grief is not just loud wailing but also deep, ongoing sorrow.
• "Stricken" (נָכָא, naka’): This word means to be struck down or afflicted, emphasizing the severity of what has happened to Kirhareseth and, by extension, to all of Moab.

Why Isaiah 16:7 matters

• Isaiah 16:7 clarifies that the coming judgment on Moab is not just a military defeat but a deep, emotional catastrophe that affects everyone, even the most fortified cities.
• The verse highlights the vulnerability of human strength and security—Kirhareseth, seen as a stronghold, is not spared, showing that no place is immune to judgment.
• This verse connects to the wider passage by showing the fulfillment of God’s warning through the prophet Isaiah, setting the stage for understanding the seriousness of Moab’s situation and the reasons for their mourning.