Isaiah 16:11

11 My heart laments for Moab like a harp, my inmost being for Kir Hareseth.

Isaiah 16:11 in Other Translations

11 Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.

11 Therefore my inner parts moan like a lyre for Moab, and my inmost self for Kir-hareseth.

11 My heart’s cry for Moab is like a lament on a harp. I am filled with anguish for Kir-hareseth.

11 My heartstrings throb like harp strings for Moab, my soul in sympathy for sad Kir-heres.

11 Therefore I moan like [the sound of] a lyre for Moab, [as does] my innermost being 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 So I weep, as Jazer weeps, for the vines of Sibmah. Heshbon and Elealeh, I drench you with tears! The shouts of joy over your ripened fruit and over your harvests have been stilled.

10 Joy and gladness are taken away from the orchards; no one sings or shouts in the vineyards; no one treads out wine at the presses, for I have put an end to the shouting.

11 My heart laments for Moab like a harp, my inmost being for Kir Hareseth.

12 When Moab appears at her high place, she only wears herself out; when she goes to her shrine to pray, it is to no avail.

13 This is the word the LORD has already spoken concerning Moab.

Cross References

• 1. S Isaiah 15:5
• 2. S Job 30:31
• 3. Isaiah 63:15; Hosea 11:8; Philippians 2:1