Isaiah 16:11

11 My heart sobs over Moab like a song of sadness played on a harp. Deep down inside me I sob over Kir Hareseth.

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 Jazer sobs over the vines of Sibmah. And so do I. Heshbon and Elealeh, I soak you with my tears! There isn't any ripe fruit for people to shout about. There isn't any harvest to make them happy.

10 Joy and gladness are taken away from the orchards. No one sings or shouts in the vineyards. No one stomps on grapes at the winepresses. That's because the LORD has put an end to the shouting.

11 My heart sobs over Moab like a song of sadness played on a harp. Deep down inside me I sob over Kir Hareseth.

12 Moab's people go to their high place to pray. But all they do is wear themselves out. Their god Chemosh can't help them at all.

13 That's the message the LORD has already spoken about Moab.