BOOK 23 OF 66 · MAJOR PROPHETS · KING JAMES BIBLE

Isaiah 16

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Isaiah 16 Overview

Moab is urged to seek shelter under Zion’s just throne, but its notorious pride stands in the way; lament continues over Moab’s vineyards, and Isaiah gives a fixed three-year horizon for its glory to be brought low.

IsaiahBook

16Chapter

14Verses

Major ProphetsDivision

Before you read Isaiah 16

Coming from

A brief lament announces sudden devastation across Moab, tracing city after city in mourning, flight, tears, and ruined agriculture.

In this chapter

Leads into

Damascus and the northern kingdom are judged together: their glory fades, only a small remnant remains, and people finally look away from idols toward their Maker, while roaring nations are rebuked by God.

Key understandingExplore deeper

The chapter continues the Moab oracle from chapter 15. It includes a striking appeal involving the Davidic throne, then exposes Moab’s pride and announces a measured timetable.

The interpretive center of Isaiah 16 is the chapter’s own movement: righteous rule is associated with david’s throne. Read its poetry, signs, historical references, and later biblical connections from that center rather than treating isolated phrases as detached slogans.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Righteous rule is associated with David’s throne

The envisioned ruler judges faithfully and seeks justice.

Pride can block the path of refuge

Moab’s arrogance is named repeatedly even while shelter is presented.

God’s judgment is measured, not chaotic

The three-year specification emphasizes that the outcome is under divine control.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

2 Samuel 7

The promise of an enduring Davidic house stands behind Isaiah’s confidence in a throne established in mercy.

Jeremiah 48:29-30

Jeremiah repeats the theme of Moab’s excessive pride.

Isaiah 9:6-7

The earlier royal-child prophecy also presents endless Davidic government grounded in justice and righteousness.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Do not assume Moab’s sending of tribute automatically means spiritual conversion.

The political imagery and the theological refuge theme must be distinguished carefully.

Do not over-specify the identity of every ruler in the passage beyond the text.

The Davidic language contributes to messianic expectation without eliminating its historical-political setting.

Read Isaiah 16 watching for…

the appeal to send tribute

shelter for outcasts

the throne established in mercy

Moab’s pride

the three-year timetable

Chapter outline2 sections

1-5Moab is urged to send tribute and seek shelter under righteous rule 6-14Moab’s pride will end in grief and its glory will soon be brought low

Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.

For it shall be, that, as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, so the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.

Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth.

Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.

And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.

We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so.

Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken.

For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah: the lords of the heathen have broken down the principal plants thereof, they are come even unto Jazer, they wandered through the wilderness: her branches are stretched out, they are gone over the sea.

Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.

And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease.

Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.

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.

This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning Moab since that time.

But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble.

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Isaiah 16:13

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