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Isaiah 16

ScriptureDepth's study of Isaiah 16

“A throne will be established in loving kindness. One will sit on it in truth, in the tent of David, judging, seeking justice, and swift to do righteousness.”

Isaiah 16:5

Yahweh speaks through Isaiah concerning Moab, declaring that a ruler in the lineage of David will bring justice and righteousness, which contrasts with Moab's pride.

What Isaiah 16 is about

Moab sends lambs for the ruler of the land from Selah to the wilderness, hoping for refuge (vv. 1-2). The daughters of Moab will be scattered like wandering birds at the fords of the Arnon. A call for justice and protection is made, urging to execute justice and not betray the outcasts (vv. 3-4). A throne will be established in loving kindness, where one will sit in truth, seeking justice (vv. 5-6). Moab's pride leads to its wailing, as everyone mourns for the raisin cakes of Kir Hareseth (vv. 7-10). The speaker expresses heartfelt lament for Moab, describing how gladness and joy have been taken away (vv. 11-12). Yahweh had spoken concerning Moab in the past, declaring that the glory of Moab will be brought into contempt within three years (vv. 13-14).

Yahweh declares that the remnant of Moab will be very small and feeble.

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Isaiah 16 at a glance

  1. Isaiah 16:1–2Moab's Appeal for Refuge
  2. Isaiah 16:3–4Call for Justice and Protection
  3. Isaiah 16:5–6Judgment Against Moab's Pride
  4. Isaiah 16:7–10Lament for Moab's Desolation
  5. Isaiah 16:11–12Heartfelt Lament for Moab
  6. Isaiah 16:13–14The Certainty of Moab's Judgment

Key verse: Isaiah 16:5

One thing to notice

In verses 3-4, there is a call for justice and protection, with the imperative 'Give counsel! Execute justice!' and a plea for outcasts to find refuge. This contrasts with the lamenting tone in verses 7-10, which mourns the loss of joy and gladness in Moab's fields and vineyards.

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 16 (WEB)

Moab's Appeal for Refuge Isaiah 16:1–2

Verse 1. Send the lambs for the ruler of the land from Selah to the wilderness, to the mountain of the daughter of Zion. Verse 2. For it will be that as wandering birds, as a scattered nest, so will the daughters of Moab be at the fords of the Arnon.

Call for Justice and Protection Isaiah 16:3–4

Verse 3. Give counsel! Execute justice! Make your shade like the night in the middle of the noonday! Hide the outcasts! Don’t betray the fugitive! Verse 4. Let my outcasts dwell with you! As for Moab, be a hiding place for him from the face of the destroyer. For the extortionist is brought to nothing. Destruction ceases. The oppressors are consumed out of the land.

Judgment Against Moab's Pride Isaiah 16:5–6

Verse 5. A throne will be established in loving kindness. One will sit on it in truth, in the tent of David, judging, seeking justice, and swift to do righteousness. Verse 6. We have heard of the pride of Moab, that he is very proud; even of his arrogance, his pride, and his wrath. His boastings are nothing.

Lament for Moab's Desolation Isaiah 16:7–10

Verse 7. Therefore Moab will wail for Moab. Everyone will wail. You will mourn for the raisin cakes of Kir Hareseth, utterly stricken. Verse 8. For the fields of Heshbon languish with the vine of Sibmah. The lords of the nations have broken down its choice branches, which reached even to Jazer, which wandered into the wilderness. Its shoots were spread abroad. They passed over the sea. Verse 9. Therefore I will weep with the weeping of Jazer for the vine of Sibmah. I will water you with my tears, Heshbon, and Elealeh: for on your summer fruits and on your harvest the battle shout has fallen.

Verse 10. Gladness is taken away, and joy out of the fruitful field; and in the vineyards there will be no singing, neither joyful noise. Nobody will tread out wine in the presses. I have made the shouting stop.

Heartfelt Lament for Moab Isaiah 16:11–12

Verse 11. Therefore my heart sounds like a harp for Moab, and my inward parts for Kir Heres. Verse 12. It will happen that when Moab presents himself, when he wearies himself on the high place, and comes to his sanctuary to pray, that he will not prevail.

The Certainty of Moab's Judgment Isaiah 16:13–14

Verse 13. This is the word that Yahweh spoke concerning Moab in time past. Verse 14. But now Yahweh has spoken, saying, “Within three years, as a worker bound by contract would count them, the glory of Moab shall be brought into contempt, with all his great multitude; and the remnant will be very small and feeble.”

World English Bible (public domain)

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Main themes in Isaiah 16

Judgment and lament

Judgment and lament are woven throughout the chapter as it contemplates Moab's fate. In verses 7-10, the text states, 'Therefore Moab will wail for Moab,' which captures the deep sorrow over Moab's forthcoming destruction. The shift from a plea for refuge to mourning the loss of Moab's joy and prosperity reveals the certainty of judgment and the ensuing lamentation among its people.

Pride and downfall

Pride and downfall are articulated in verse 6, where it says, 'We have heard of the pride of Moab, that he is very proud.' This pride is contrasted with the impending judgment, where the text implies that such arrogance leads to downfall. The chapter shows how Moab's inflated sense of self-worth will result in its demise, culminating in their wailing and lamentation in verses 7-9.

Refuge and protection

The chapter articulates a call for refuge and protection in verses 3-4, where there is a plea for justice and a sanctuary for the outcasts. The text describes Moab as a 'hiding place for him from the face of the destroyer,' which conveys the urgent desire for safety amid impending disaster. However, the looming reality of judgment overshadows the possibility of true refuge.

Hope and restoration

Hope and restoration are subtly hinted at in verse 5, which speaks of a throne established in 'loving kindness.' While the primary focus is on Moab's judgment, the mention of a just ruler suggests a future possibility of restoration. However, the chapter ultimately leads to the certainty of Moab's downfall, as highlighted in verse 14, leaving little room for immediate hope.

Chapter outline

How Isaiah 16 unfolds

  1. Isaiah 16:1–2 Moab's Appeal for Refuge

    Moab seeks refuge by sending 'the lambs for the ruler of the land' from Selah to the wilderness, as they become 'wandering birds' and 'scattered nest' at the fords of the Arnon (vv. 1-2).

  2. Isaiah 16:3–4 Call for Justice and Protection

    The call for justice and protection is issued with commands to 'Give counsel!' and 'Execute justice!' while urging to 'Hide the outcasts' and 'don’t betray the fugitive' (vv. 3-4).

  3. Isaiah 16:5–6 Judgment Against Moab's Pride

    Judgment against Moab's pride is articulated, emphasizing that the people are aware of Moab's 'very proud' nature and noting that their boastings are ultimately 'nothing' (vv. 5-6).

  4. Isaiah 16:7–10 Lament for Moab's Desolation

    A lament for Moab's desolation unfolds, where the inhabitants 'will wail' over the loss of their agricultural prosperity and the destruction of their vineyards (vv. 7-10).

  5. Isaiah 16:11–12 Heartfelt Lament for Moab

    The heartfelt lament for Moab expresses deep sorrow, comparing the prophet's grief to 'a harp' as he mourns for those who seek to pray yet find no success (vv. 11-12).

  6. Isaiah 16:13–14 The Certainty of Moab's Judgment

    The certainty of Moab's judgment is declared with a time frame of 'within three years' when Moab's glory will diminish and its people will become 'very small and feeble' (vv. 13-14).

Key verses

  • Isaiah 16:5Yahweh speaks through Isaiah concerning Moab, declaring that a ruler in the lineage of David will bring justice and righteousness, which contrasts with Moab's pride.

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Study questions

Questions for studying Isaiah 16

SummarizeObserveInterpretApply

Uses your daily Ask questions.

  1. observeIn v2, how are the daughters of Moab described as they are at the fords of the Arnon?
  2. observeWhat does v6 indicate about the attitude of Moab towards their own pride?
  3. interpretIn v12, why does it say Moab will not prevail when he comes to pray?
  4. interpretWhat does the phrase 'the glory of Moab shall be brought into contempt' in v14 suggest about their future?
  5. applyWhen have you felt like an 'outcast' in your own community, as described in v4?

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Isaiah 16: frequently asked questions

What is Isaiah 16 about?+
Moab sends lambs for the ruler of the land from Selah to the wilderness, hoping for refuge (vv. 1-2).
What is the key verse in Isaiah 16?+
Isaiah 16:5: “A throne will be established in loving kindness. One will sit on it in truth, in the tent of David, judging, seeking justice, and swift to do righteousness.”
What are the main themes of Isaiah 16?+
The main themes of Isaiah 16 are Judgment and lament, Pride and downfall, Refuge and protection, Hope and restoration.

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Study Notes