ScriptureDepth's study of Isaiah 15
“For the waters of Dimon are full of blood; for I will bring yet more on Dimon, a lion on those of Moab who escape, and on the remnant of the land.”
Isaiah 15:9
Yahweh declares judgment on Moab, specifically mentioning Dimon to illustrate the bloodshed that will result from the destruction and the lion sent against those who survive.
What Isaiah 15 is about
Moabite cities are devastated overnight, with Ar and Kir laid to waste (vv. 1-2). The people mourn at Bayith and Dibon, removing their hair and cutting their beards in sorrow. In the streets, they wear sackcloth and weep abundantly, expressing grief as Heshbon and Elealeh cry out, and the armed men tremble (vv. 3-4). The nobles of Moab flee to Zoar and Eglath Shelishiyah, weeping as they make their way up the ascent of Luhith. Their cries of destruction echo along the route to Horonaim (vv. 5-7). The cry of Moab reaches the borders, wailing extends to Eglaim and Beer Elim. Dimon is filled with blood, and Yahweh declares further judgment on those who escape, sending a lion upon the remnant of Moab (vv. 8-9).
The chapter leaves the reader with a vivid picture of desolation and impending judgment on Moab.
Isaiah 15 at a glance
- Isaiah 15:1–2Destruction of Moab's Cities
- Isaiah 15:3–4Wailing and Mourning
- Isaiah 15:5–7Fleeing Nobles and Desolation
- Isaiah 15:8–9Blood and Judgment
Key verse: Isaiah 15:9
One thing to notice
In v. 9, it states that 'the waters of Dimon are full of blood.' This image appears at the end of the chapter, depicting a grave situation that follows the themes of weeping and fleeing earlier in the text.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Isaiah 15 (WEB)
Destruction of Moab's Cities Isaiah 15:1–2
1Verse 1. The burden of Moab. For in a night, Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to nothing. For in a night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to nothing. 2Verse 2. They have gone up to Bayith, and to Dibon, to the high places, to weep. Moab wails over Nebo and over Medeba. Baldness is on all of their heads. Every beard is cut off.
Wailing and Mourning Isaiah 15:3–4
3Verse 3. In their streets, they clothe themselves in sackcloth. In their streets and on their housetops, everyone wails, weeping abundantly. 4Verse 4. Heshbon cries out with Elealeh. Their voice is heard even to Jahaz. Therefore the armed men of Moab cry aloud. Their souls tremble within them.
Fleeing Nobles and Desolation Isaiah 15:5–7
5Verse 5. My heart cries out for Moab! Her nobles flee to Zoar, to Eglath Shelishiyah; for they go up by the ascent of Luhith with weeping; for on the way to Horonaim, they raise up a cry of destruction. 6Verse 6. For the waters of Nimrim will be desolate; for the grass has withered away, the tender grass fails, there is no green thing. 7Verse 7. Therefore they will carry away the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have stored up, over the brook of the willows.
Blood and Judgment Isaiah 15:8–9
8Verse 8. For the cry has gone around the borders of Moab; its wailing to Eglaim, and its wailing to Beer Elim. 9Verse 9. For the waters of Dimon are full of blood; for I will bring yet more on Dimon, a lion on those of Moab who escape, and on the remnant of the land.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Isaiah 15
divine judgment
The chapter opens with the announcement of Moab's destruction, stating that 'in a night, Ar of Moab is laid waste' (v. 1). This swift judgment shows the power of God over nations. The text depicts the consequences of this judgment in various places like Nebo and Medeba, where the people mourn their ruin and helplessness (v. 2). It closes with a warning of further judgment on Moab, indicating that God's decree is comprehensive and unavoidable.
mourning and lament
Moab's sorrow is palpable throughout the chapter, particularly in verses that depict the people weeping and donning sackcloth. The sounds of anguish fill the streets and rooftops, showcasing their despair (vv. 3-4). The nobles also experience grief as they flee, raising a 'cry of destruction' (v. 5). This widespread mourning reveals the intense emotional and social impact of their circumstances.
human vulnerability
This chapter depicts the vulnerability of Moab's people amid destruction. As their cities collapse and leaders flee, the inhabitants are shown as helpless, with 'baldness' marking their distress (v. 2). The desolation of the 'waters of Nimrim' further illustrates their dire situation (v. 6). Such imagery conveys the fragility of human life and security in the face of calamity.
sovereignty of God
God's sovereignty is evident in the events surrounding Moab's judgment. The destruction of cities like Kir and Ar (v. 1) demonstrates His control over nations. The statement that He will bring 'yet more' on Dimon (v. 9) shows that God acts decisively. This chapter affirms that God's will prevails, irrespective of human efforts to escape disaster.
Chapter outline
How Isaiah 15 unfolds
Isaiah 15:1–2 Destruction of Moab's Cities
Moab's cities, 'Ar' and 'Kir', are 'laid waste' in a single night, illustrating the suddenness of their destruction (v. 1). The people flee to 'Bayith' and 'Dibon', expressing their grief.
Isaiah 15:3–4 Wailing and Mourning
The people of Moab dress in sackcloth, wailing in the streets and rooftops, showing their grief as 'Heshbon' and 'Elealeh' cry out (v. 3). The armed men of Moab also express their distress.
Isaiah 15:5–7 Fleeing Nobles and Desolation
Nobles of Moab flee to Zoar, weeping as they ascend Luhith, while the surrounding desolation is evident as the land suffers from drought and withering grass (vv. 5-6). Their flight reveals a crisis of leadership.
Isaiah 15:8–9 Blood and Judgment
The 'cry' of Moab extends to Eglaim and Beer Elim, with bloodshed noted in the waters of Dimon, foreshadowing further violence against those who might escape (vv. 8-9). Judgment is pronounced as impending and relentless.
Key verses
Isaiah 15:9Yahweh declares judgment on Moab, specifically mentioning Dimon to illustrate the bloodshed that will result from the destruction and the lion sent against those who survive.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Isaiah 15
- observeIn v1, what cities of Moab are described as being laid waste?
- observeWhat are the people doing in v3 when they mourn in the streets?
- interpretIn v5, why does the author express personal emotion for Moab with 'my heart cries out'?
- interpretThe phrase 'the waters of Dimon are full of blood' in v9: what does this signify about the violence faced by Moab?
- applyWhen have you felt the urgency to grieve for someone or something as seen in v2?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Isaiah 15
- Jeremiah 48Isaiah 15:1 and Jeremiah 48:1Both lay waste: Isaiah 15:1 describes Ar and Kir laid waste, while Jeremiah 48:1 mentions Nebo laid waste.
- Isaiah 16Isaiah 15:2 and Isaiah 16:12Both high places: Isaiah 15:2 describes weeping at high places, while Isaiah 16:12 states Moab will not prevail there.
- Numbers 21Isaiah 15:2 and Numbers 21:30Both lay waste: Isaiah 15:2 mentions Moab wailing over Nebo, while Numbers 21:30 states Heshbon has perished to Dibon.
- Isaiah 22Isaiah 15:3 and Isaiah 22:1Both wail: Isaiah 15:3 depicts wailing in streets, while Isaiah 22:1 questions the people going to housetops.
- Numbers 32Isaiah 15:6 and Numbers 32:36Both desolate: Isaiah 15:6 describes Nimrim as desolate, while Numbers 32:36 lists fortified cities in the region.
- Joshua 13Isaiah 15:1 and Joshua 13:16Both mention Ar: Isaiah 15:1 describes Ar laid waste, while Joshua 13:16 details the borders near Ar.
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Isaiah 15
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Isaiah: the whole bookIsaiah son of Amoz prophesied in Jerusalem across roughly forty years and four kings — Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz…
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 212Day 212 of 365: Isaiah 12–15.
- SalvationWhat the Bible says about salvation, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
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