What does Isaiah 16:8 mean?
In this passage, Isaiah has commanded everyone to mourn the loss of the raisin cakes of Kir-hareseth (Isaiah 16:7). These cakes were apparently a well-loved delicacy that may have been exported to other nations. The production of the raisin cakes was lost when the invading armies destroyed the cities of Moab. Moab's economy and agricultural would have been decimated by the invasion, taking away the means that made the nation wealthy. This mourning, in a way, maintains a separation from the arrogant people of Moab, who are effectively told to grieve for themselves (Isaiah 16:6).Isaiah goes into further detail regarding the destruction of the nation of Moab. He describes the deteriorating fields of Heshbon in the north. Nearby, the vine of Sibmah has also been struck down, perhaps by Assyria. Poetically, he says this grapevine thrived and reached Jazer, then farther north, and reaching all the way to eastern deserts. The vine's tendrils crossed over the Dead Sea into Israel. This symbolically depicts the successful distribution of the Moabite fields. Their crops spread prolifically around the region.
The grapes used to make the raisin cakes and other products are now gone. This ends both the enjoyment of the grapes and all the economic trading those products created to the north, east, and west. In other words, Moab's suffering had just begun with the attacks. Those who survived would not be able to return to the lives they once knew.