What does Isaiah 15:6 mean?
The Wadi en-Numeira is located on the southeastern shore of the Dead Sea. This would be about ten miles, or sixteen kilometers, from the very southern edge of that body of water. Scholars agree that might be the oasis described in this verse as the waters of Nimrim. It would have been another stop for the refugees of Moab in their journey south to Zoar, where they hoped to escape the bloodshed and find a place to settle (Isaiah 15:5).The problem with this place, known for water, is that there isn't any water to be found. Either due to drought or because so many refugees have come for water at once, they find the place dried up. The grass is withered and the greenery is gone. They cannot even feed their animals, let alone water them.
Things keep deteriorating for the Moabites under this judgment from the Lord. The next verse implies that many people must abandon their animals at this point (Isaiah 15:7).
Isaiah 15:1–9 describes the great suffering coming to the Moabites when the Lord's judgment falls on their cities. This judgment is likely in the form of invading Assyrian armies from the north. Moab will be undone as one city after another is laid waste. The people will weep before their false god, Chemosh, who did not save them. In mourning, the men will be bald, clean-shaven, and dressed in sackcloth. Refugees of the lost cities will stream south to escape the slaughter. One oasis will be dried up while the water supply of another city is full of blood.
Isaiah's next divine prophecy is against Moab. This nation is Israel's longtime neighbor to the east of the Dead Sea. He describes them as "undone" after the Moabite cities of Ar and Kir are laid waste in a night. The people go to the temple of their god to weep at the destruction. Everyone grieves, and the cry sent up is heard throughout the nation. Fugitives of the slaughter flee south toward the city of Zoar. They find a much-needed oasis is dried up. Meanwhile, the water supply of another city is full of blood. Even after all this, more suffering is to come to the people of Moab.
