Isaiah 16:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Therefore my inner parts moan like a lyre for Moab, and my inmost self for Kir-hareseth.

NIV: My heart laments for Moab like a harp, my inmost being for Kir Hareseth.

NASB: Therefore my inner being sounds like a harp for Moab. And my heart for Kir-hareseth.

CSB: Therefore I moan like the sound of a lyre for Moab, as does my innermost being for Kir-heres.

NLT: My heart’s cry for Moab is like a lament on a harp. I am filled with anguish for Kir-hareseth.

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

NKJV: Therefore my heart shall resound like a harp for Moab, And my inner being for Kir Heres.

Isaiah concludes his oracles against Moab in true sorrow. Many commentators believe this is representative of the sorrow the Lord also felt at bringing judgment on Moab (Ezekiel 33:11). God carried it through because that's what justice and righteousness demanded. But unlike in other oracles, the Lord is not said to be burning with anger or pouring out judgment from His fierce wrath.

This judgement will come in three years' time from Isaiah writing his prophecy and the prophet is already mourning (Isaiah 16:14). Poetically, he says that his inner parts, literally meaning his "bowels," moan like a lyre. This would have been a harp-like instrument that can be made to give a moaning sound. He adds that his inner self also moans for Kir-hareseth, identifying Moab once more as the nation's capital.

Isaiah 16:1–14 begins with an official request to settle in Judah, spoken by Moabite refugees. This request is followed by a declaration that a descendant of David will establish the throne of Israel with love and righteousness when the oppressor is no more. Isaiah points to the arrogance of Moab regarding their abundance. This pride will be shown to be empty talk since it can be taken away in a night. Isaiah calls everyone to wail for Moab's losses and weep for the end of the grape harvest and its products. He reveals the judgment will fall in three years.

The refugees of Moab send a tribute to Jerusalem and make an official request to shelter in Judah due to the oppression of the enemy in their own land. After the oppressor is no more, the throne of the Messiah will be established in Israel. Moab's pride and arrogance about their abundance are revealed to be empty talk since it can all be taken away in a night. Isaiah calls everyone to wail and mourn for the suffering of Moab. He weeps for the loss of the grape harvest. The prophet announces this judgement will happen in three years.

Prior chapters included predictions about Assyria, Babylon, and Philistia. Chapter 15 introduces a prophecy about an enemy invading Moab. Chapter 16 finds the Moabite refugees in Sela. They ask Judah for shelter. Isaiah points to the pride and arrogance of Moab about their wealth that can be taken away in a single night. He calls everyone to mourn with him for the loss of the grape harvest and its products in Moab. The Moabites' prayers to their god will not prevent judgment from falling on them in three years. The next prophecy, in chapter 17, deals with Damascus.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

Accessed 5/19/2024 10:39:29 PM