Isaiah 16:6
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Isaiah 16:6
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.
Chapter Context
Isaiah 16 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of redemption, judgment, mercy. Written during the Assyrian and pre-exilic periods (c. 740-680 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Addressed Judah during Assyria's rise, Babylon's threat, and anticipated restoration.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-14: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it illustrates divine judgment and mercy in response to human actions. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Isaiah and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Isaiah 16:6
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.
Analysis
"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.
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.
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?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Jeremiah 48:26, 48:42, Amos 2:1