Isaiah 16:11

11 Therefore my heart throbs like a harp for Moab, and my very soul for Kir-heres.

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 weep with the weeping of Jazer for the vines of Sibmah; I drench you with my tears, O Heshbon and Elealeh; for the shout over your fruit harvest and your grain harvest has ceased.

10 Joy and gladness are taken away from the fruitful field; and in the vineyards no songs are sung, no shouts are raised; no treader treads out wine in the presses; the vintage-shout is hushed.

11 Therefore my heart throbs like a harp for Moab, and my very soul for Kir-heres.

12 When Moab presents himself, when he wearies himself upon the high place, when he comes to his sanctuary to pray, he will not prevail.

13 This was the word that the Lord spoke concerning Moab in the past.