Isaiah Chapter 16 · Verse 7
Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kir-hareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֗ן
H3651
לָכֵ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יְיֵלִ֑יל
every one shall howl
H3213
יְיֵלִ֑יל
every one shall howl
Strong's:
H3213
Word #:
2 of 12
to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one)
לְמוֹאָ֖ב
Therefore shall Moab
H4124
לְמוֹאָ֖ב
Therefore shall Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
3 of 12
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
לְמוֹאָ֖ב
Therefore shall Moab
H4124
לְמוֹאָ֖ב
Therefore shall Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
4 of 12
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
כֻּלֹּ֣ה
H3605
כֻּלֹּ֣ה
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יְיֵלִ֑יל
every one shall howl
H3213
יְיֵלִ֑יל
every one shall howl
Strong's:
H3213
Word #:
6 of 12
to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one)
חֲרֶ֛שֶׂת
of Kirhareseth
H7025
חֲרֶ֛שֶׂת
of Kirhareseth
Strong's:
H7025
Word #:
9 of 12
kir-cheres or kir-chareseth, a place in moab
תֶּהְגּ֖וּ
shall ye mourn
H1897
תֶּהְגּ֖וּ
shall ye mourn
Strong's:
H1897
Word #:
10 of 12
to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder
אַךְ
H389
Cross References
2 Kings 3:25And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees: only in Kir-haraseth left they the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it.Jeremiah 48:20Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,
Historical Context
Kir-hareseth was Moab's primary fortress with walls up to 20 feet thick and elaborate defenses. Archaeological excavations reveal massive fortifications. During the revolt in 2 Kings 3, when besieged, Moab's king desperately sacrificed his son on the walls. Even this seemingly impregnable fortress fell to Assyrian/Babylonian siege warfare. Modern Kerak preserves Crusader ruins built over earlier fortifications.
Questions for Reflection
- What does universal mourning replacing pride teach about God's comprehensive judgments?
- How do destroyed foundations illustrate judgment affecting core structures, not just surface?
- How are judgments self-inflicted consequences of rejecting divine order?
Analysis & Commentary
"Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken." Universal lamentation replaces pride. Kir-hareseth (modern Kerak), a major fortress, represents Moab's strength. Mourning for "foundations" suggests complete overthrow—not surface damage but structural destruction. "Surely they are stricken" (ak-nekei) means utterly shattered. The repetition "Moab...for Moab" emphasizes self-inflicted nature—pride brought this. Reformed covenant theology teaches rejection of God's sovereignty inevitably produces such consequences.