Isaiah 15:3
In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly.
Original Language Analysis
בְּחוּצֹתָ֖יו
In their streets
H2351
בְּחוּצֹתָ֖יו
In their streets
Strong's:
H2351
Word #:
1 of 10
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
שָׂ֑ק
themselves with sackcloth
H8242
שָׂ֑ק
themselves with sackcloth
Strong's:
H8242
Word #:
3 of 10
properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e., coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grai
עַ֣ל
H5921
עַ֣ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וּבִרְחֹבֹתֶ֛יהָ
of their houses and in their streets
H7339
וּבִרְחֹבֹתֶ֛יהָ
of their houses and in their streets
Strong's:
H7339
Word #:
6 of 10
a width, i.e., (concretely) avenue or area
כֻּלֹּ֥ה
H3605
כֻּלֹּ֥ה
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יְיֵלִ֖יל
every one shall howl
H3213
יְיֵלִ֖יל
every one shall howl
Strong's:
H3213
Word #:
8 of 10
to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one)
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cities conducted public mourning rituals involving entire communities. Sackcloth, coarse goat-hair fabric, symbolized humiliation and repentance. Housetop lamentation was particularly significant as roofs served as public gathering spaces in Middle Eastern architecture. The archaeological record preserves reliefs depicting conquered peoples in mourning postures. For Moab, this public humiliation reversed their proud boasts recorded on the Mesha Stele.
Questions for Reflection
- What role do temporal judgments play in calling people to repentance before final judgment?
- How should God's people respond when His judgments fall on surrounding nations?
- Why does God often judge nations by removing the very things they trusted instead of Him?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The image of entire cities girding themselves with sackcloth depicts corporate mourning. Streets, housetops, and public squares become theaters of lamentation—no private corners exist for this grief. The phrase "weeping abundantly" (Hebrew yered bedeki, "descending in weeping") suggests tears flowing like water, overwhelming sorrow. This universal mourning contrasts with Moab's former pride. God's judgments often work by removing what nations idolize—in Moab's case, national security and prosperity. The public nature of mourning serves both as authentic expression and as testimony to surrounding nations of divine judgment. Reformed soteriology recognizes such temporal judgments as both warning and mercy—calls to repentance before final judgment.