Isaiah 16:11-12 WEB

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 16:12

Prayer that may not prevail. The immediate reference of this verse is to the vain and hopeless prayers of Moab, offered in his time of distress to his idol-god Chemosh. Idols are only gods for sunshiny days, when their worshippers want nothing. There is no prevailing to secure help from them when life is full of calamities, and when hearts ache. But the expression reminds us that prayer offered to the true God does not always prevail—at least, prevail to the securing of the precise thing... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 16:11

Wherefore my bowels - This is also an expression of the deep grief of the prophet in view of the calamities which were coming upon Moab. The “bowels” in the Scriptures are everywhere represented as the seat of compassion, pity, commiseration, and tender mercy Genesis 43:30 : ‘His bowels did yearn upon his brother’ - he deeply felt for him, he greatly pitied him 1 Kings 3:26; Psalms 25:6; Proverbs 12:10; Song of Solomon 5:4; Isaiah 63:15; Jeremiah 4:19; Jeremiah 31:20; Philippians 1:8;... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 16:12

When it is seen - When it occurs; that is, when Moab actually “becomes” weary.Is weary on the high place - The “high place” denotes the place of idolatrous worship, and here means the same as the temple of Chemosh or his sanctuary. Temples and altars were usually constructed on such places, and especially the temples of the pagan gods. Moab is represented here as looking to her gods for protection. Weary, exhausted, worn down with calamities, she is represented as fleeing from the desolate... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 16:11-12

Isaiah 16:11-12. Wherefore my bowels shall sound as a harp Through compassion. In excessive grief, the bowels are sometimes rolled together, so as to make an audible noise. Hereby he signifies the greatness of their approaching calamity, which, being so grievous to him, must needs be intolerable to them. And when it is seen that Moab is weary, &c. When it shall appear to them and others, that all their other devotions are vain and ineffectual; he shall come to his sanctuary to pray ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 16:1-14

Devastation in Moab (15:1-16:14)The place names mentioned in these two chapters indicate that the attack on Moab comes from the north, most likely from Assyria. The attack is swift and ruthless, and towns fall in a night. Wherever a person looks, there is mourning (15:1-4). Even Isaiah weeps as he sees the people fleeing pitifully, rushing along the streets, across the streams and over the fields that have been damaged by the invading armies. They take with them whatever precious possessions... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 16:11

sound = make a plaintive sound. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia . Hebrew v'kirbi Kir. Kir-haresh. See note on Isaiah 15:1 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 16:12

on. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "unto": weary with climbing up to. Compare Isaiah 15:2 . prevail = obtain anything. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Isaiah 16:12

Isaiah 16:12. On the high place— The meaning of the verse is, that the Moabites, as their last efforts, should go to their altars, there to perform their sacred rites, to appease the anger of their deity; but, wearied herewith, they should enter into the sanctuary, into some more sacred and celebrated sanctuary of their god Chemosh, to pour forth their earnest supplications and prayers; but should obtain nothing. This therefore is the last calamity of the Moabites, that struggling with so great... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 16:11

11. bowels—in Scripture the seat of yearning compassion. It means the inward seat of emotion, the heart, c. (Isaiah 63:15 compare Isaiah 15:5; Jeremiah 48:36). sound . . . harp—as its strings vibrate when beaten with the plectrum or hand. read more