Study notes

Isaiah 16

Introducing IsaiahWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

13:1–23:18 Section

Isaiah spoke many messages from God about the people and leaders of other nations. These included Babylon, Assyria, the Philistines, Moab, Syria and its capital city Damascus.

They also included the northern kingdom, Cush, Egypt, Edom, Arabia and Tyre. Cush was a nation in Africa south of Egypt. The desert area west of Babylon was called Arabia.

The messages were warnings about things that were going to happen. Most of these things were terrible and would lead to those nations being destroyed. Talking about them caused the prophet fear, pain and deep sadness. It isn’t known if the people and leaders of these nations knew about Isaiah’s prophecies. But the people of the southern kingdom were made aware of them. This was one way that God taught his people about the nations around them.

The prophecies showed that God had authority and power over those nations. The prophecies showed that God’s people shouldn’t trust any of those nations to save them. None of those nations could save them from stronger nations like Assyria and Babylon. The messages showed God’s people that God would bring judgement against all nations. He would bring judgement against their leaders for being proud and causing others to suffer.

The prophecies also showed God’s people that God wanted those other nations to know him. He wanted those nations to be humble. He wanted them to recognise that he is the Lord who rules over all. He wanted them to worship him and to become a blessing to other people groups. Isaiah’s messages invited these nations to trust the God of Jacob’s people as their own God. The messages invited them to come to God for safety and protection. This was a lesson for Jerusalem and the southern kingdom to do the same.

15:1–16:14

This message of judgment and sorrow was about Moab's fall. The many references to Moabite places show that Isaiah knew Moab well.

16:1

  • Moab was famous for its sheep (see 2 Kings 3:4). The Moabites sent lambs as tribute to Judah, acknowledging Judah's control over Moab.

  • Sela (the cliff), a mysterious and distant location, was likely where the Moabites fled through the desert.

16:1–4

Moab is making a request to Judah for asylum (protection in another country).

16:3–4

do not betray … be a refuge: Moab's situation would become so desperate that they would ask for refuge in other countries.

16:4–5

  • This prophecy of salvation spoke about the future of David’s royal line. It promised hope for the dynasty of David.

  • Acts of oppression and destruction would come to an end. This would happen when the hostility of Moab stopped (see 2 Kings 13:20).

16:6

The Moabites were too proud, angry, and boastful to humble themselves before God.

16:8

  • The vineyards at Sibmah were near the Moabite city of Heshbon.

  • Moab was like a lush vine spreading far and wide, but Israel's beautiful vine reached the ends of the earth (Isaiah 27:6).

  • The location of Jazer is unknown.

16:14

  • In three years, as a hired worker counts the years (see also Isaiah 21:16): A man who sold himself into servitude would calculate the remaining time down to the last day. This verse refers to unknown events.

  • The glory of Moab will be ended, probably because of the Assyrian conquest of Moab (late 700s BC).

  • those who are left will be few and feeble: Though reduced by war, the Moabites still existed during Nehemiah’s time (Nehemiah 13:23).

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources