Isaiah 16:11

11 Therefore my bowels sound like a harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirheres.

Isaiah 16:11 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 16:11

Wherefore my bowels shall sound like a harp for Moab
Making a noise as the harp does, and a mournful one as that, when used at funerals; which it makes when it is stricken or played on with the hand, as these were, through the afflictive and punitive hand of God; and which, when stricken, causes a quavering of the strings, to which the inward trembling of the bowels is compared, and is very expressive of the prophet's sympathy, or those he personates; for, when one string of the harp is touched, the rest sound. For these words, as Kimchi says, are spoken in the language of the Moabites; those that survived lamenting the desolate state of their country, which must be very great and affecting; and to show that it was so is the design of the prophet's expressing himself after this manner; for if it was painful to him, it must be much more so to them; so the Targum,

``wherefore the bowels of the Moabites shall sound as a harp;''

of the sounding of the bowels, see ( Isaiah 63:15 ) ( Jeremiah 4:9 ) : and mine inward parts for Kirharesh:
the same with Kirhareseth, ( Isaiah 16:7 ) which being a principal city, the destruction of it was greatly laid to heart. The Targum is,

``and their heart shall grieve for the men of the city of their strength;''

it being a strong city, in which they placed their confidence; but being destroyed, and the inhabitants of it, it was very affecting, to which agrees ( Jeremiah 48:31 ) .

Isaiah 16:11 In-Context

9 Therefore I will weep with the weeping of Jaazer for the vine of Sibmah; with my tears will I water thee, Heshbon, and Elealeh, for a cry is fallen upon thy summer fruits and upon thy harvest.

10 And joy and gladness is taken away out of the fruitful field; and in the vineyards there is no singing, neither is there shouting: the treaders tread out no wine in the presses, I have made the cry [of the winepress] to cease.

11 Therefore my bowels sound like a harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirheres.

12 And it shall come to pass, when Moab shall appear, shall weary himself on the high place, and enter into his sanctuary to pray, that he shall not prevail.

13 This is the word which Jehovah hath spoken from of old concerning Moab.