Isaiah 16:4
Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.
Original Language Analysis
יָג֤וּרוּ
dwell
H1481
יָג֤וּרוּ
dwell
Strong's:
H1481
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);
נִדָּחַ֔י
Let mine outcasts
H5080
נִדָּחַ֔י
Let mine outcasts
Strong's:
H5080
Word #:
3 of 18
to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)
מוֹאָ֛ב
with thee Moab
H4124
מוֹאָ֛ב
with thee Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
4 of 18
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
סֵ֥תֶר
thou a covert
H5643
סֵ֥תֶר
thou a covert
Strong's:
H5643
Word #:
6 of 18
a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)
מִפְּנֵ֣י
to them from the face
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֣י
to them from the face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 18
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
שׁוֹדֵ֑ד
of the spoiler
H7703
שׁוֹדֵ֑ד
of the spoiler
Strong's:
H7703
Word #:
9 of 18
properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הַמֵּץ֙
for the extortioner
H4160
הַמֵּץ֙
for the extortioner
Strong's:
H4160
Word #:
12 of 18
to press, i.e., (figuratively) to oppress
כָּ֣לָה
ceaseth
H3615
כָּ֣לָה
ceaseth
Strong's:
H3615
Word #:
13 of 18
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
תַּ֥מּוּ
are consumed
H8552
תַּ֥מּוּ
are consumed
Strong's:
H8552
Word #:
15 of 18
to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive
רֹמֵ֖ס
the oppressors
H7429
רֹמֵ֖ס
the oppressors
Strong's:
H7429
Word #:
16 of 18
to tread upon (as a potter, in walking or abusively)
Cross References
Isaiah 14:4That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!Isaiah 9:4For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.Isaiah 51:13And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?Malachi 4:3And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.
Historical Context
The 8th-7th centuries BCE saw complex geopolitics as Assyrian expansion threatened all smaller kingdoms, forcing temporary alliances between enemies. The prophecy's fulfillment came as Assyria fell to Babylon (612 BCE), Babylon to Persia (539 BCE)—empires that executed God's judgments facing their own destruction. Archaeological evidence shows widespread devastation across the Levant during this period.
Questions for Reflection
- What does mutual protection between enemies teach about unlikely cooperation under common threats?
- How does God's judgment of oppressors demonstrate His perfect justice?
- How do empires that execute temporal judgments face ultimate judgment themselves?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler." The word "covert" (seter) means hiding place, secret shelter. Protection "from the face of the spoiler" acknowledges a common enemy threatening both nations. The prophecy continues: "the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed"—demonstrating God's multi-level justice. He judges Moab for pride, yet also judges empires that brutalize nations. This reveals that instruments of divine judgment themselves face ultimate judgment.