Isaiah 16:6
We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so.
Original Language Analysis
שָׁמַ֥עְנוּ
We have heard
H8085
שָׁמַ֥עְנוּ
We have heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 11
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
מוֹאָ֖ב
of Moab
H4124
מוֹאָ֖ב
of Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
3 of 11
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
מְאֹ֑ד
he is very
H3966
מְאֹ֑ד
he is very
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
5 of 11
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
גַּאֲוָת֧וֹ
even of his haughtiness
H1346
גַּאֲוָת֧וֹ
even of his haughtiness
Strong's:
H1346
Word #:
6 of 11
arrogance or majesty; by implication, (concretely) ornament
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Amos 2:1Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime:Jeremiah 48:26Make ye him drunken: for he magnified himself against the LORD: Moab also shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision.Jeremiah 48:42And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the LORD.
Historical Context
The Mesha Stele (c. 840 BCE) discovered at Dibon perfectly illustrates Moabite pride. King Mesha boasts: "I am Mesha, king of Moab...Omri, king of Israel, humbled Moab many years...But I have triumphed over him and over his house, while Israel has perished forever!" This stone inscription intended to eternalize Moab's glory ironically survived to witness Moab's destruction—"his lies shall not be so" proven true.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is pride identified as Moab's fundamental sin, and how does pride function as root of all sin?
- How do Moab's empty boasts mirror modern forms of pride and self-sufficiency?
- How does the Mesha Stele ironically testify to this prophecy's truth?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so." The fivefold emphasis on pride hammers home Moab's fundamental sin. Not just proud, but "very proud," characterized by haughtiness, arrogance, and wrathful insolence. "His lies shall not be so" indicates Moab's boasts are empty—claims to power, security, self-sufficiency are false. Pride invariably precedes judgment (Proverbs 16:18). Reformed theology identifies pride as the root sin—humanity's rejection of God's sovereignty and grasping for autonomy.