Isaiah 16:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Like fleeing birds, like a scattered nest, so are the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon.

NIV: Like fluttering birds pushed from the nest, so are the women of Moab at the fords of the Arnon.

NASB: Then, like fluttering birds or scattered nestlings, The daughters of Moab will be at the crossing places of the Arnon.

CSB: Like a bird fleeing, forced from the nest, the daughters of Moab will be at the fords of the Arnon.

NLT: The women of Moab are left like homeless birds at the shallow crossings of the Arnon River.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: For it shall be as a wandering bird thrown out of the nest; So shall be the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon.

Isaiah is describing a request from the fleeing refugees of Moab. They hope to take refuge in the territory of Judah for a time. They are looking for shelter until it is safe to return to their own land (Isaiah 16:1).

This statement doesn't seem to flow naturally from the previous verse. Some commentators suggest that this verse is the first part of Moab's message to the king of Judah asking for asylum. If that interpretation is the case, the Moabites may be using poetic language to describe their plight. It is possible the Moabites are giving a snapshot of what they have recently gone through. They picture their women racing away from Dibon, in central Moab, to get across the Arnon River in a dead panicked run. This evokes the image of birds shooting out of a disturbed nest.

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 4/30/2024 2:15:14 PM