Isaiah 16:13

13 This [was] the word that Yahweh spoke to Moab {in the past}.

Isaiah 16:13 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 16:13

This [is] the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning
Moab
That is, this prophecy now delivered out is what comes from the Lord; it is the word of the Lord, and not of man, and so shall certainly come to pass; when this word was spoken follows: since that time;
from eternity, as some, and so refer it to the decree of God within himself; or from the time that Moab was in being, or a nation, as others; or from the time that Balak hired Balaam to curse Israel, so Jarchi; or rather from the time that the Lord made known his mind and will, concerning this matter, to the prophet Isaiah: for it should be rendered, "this is that word which the Lord spake concerning Moab then" ^F9; that is, at the time or year in which Ahaz died, ( Isaiah 14:28 ) and is observed, to distinguish it from what the prophet spoke, or was about to speak, now or from this time, concerning him, as in the next verse ( Isaiah 16:14 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 So Noldius, Ebr. Concord. Part. p. 473. No. 1586.

Isaiah 16:13 In-Context

11 Therefore my {heart moans} like [a] harp for Moab and my inner parts for Kir-heres.

12 And this shall happen: when Moab appears, when it is weary upon the high place and it comes to its sanctuary to pray, it will not prevail.

13 This [was] the word that Yahweh spoke to Moab {in the past}.

14 But now Yahweh speaks, saying, "In three years, like [the] years of a hired worker, the glory of Moab will become contemptible, with all of the great multitude, and [the] remnant [will be] a few, small, not strong.

Footnotes

• [a] Literally "from then"