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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 16:6-14

Here we have, I. The sins with which Moab is charged, Isa. 16:6. The prophet seems to check himself for going about to give good counsel to the Moabites, concluding they would not take the advice he gave them. He told them their duty (whether they would hear or whether they would forbear), but despairs of working any good upon them; he would have healed them, but they would not be healed. Those that will not be counselled cannot be helped. Their sins were, 1. Pride. This is most insisted upon;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 16:12

And it shall come to pass, when it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place ,.... With weeping there, Isaiah 15:2 or with frequent sacrifices, and going from one high place to another, as Balak king of Moab did; and by comparing places together, it looks as if this was the way of the Moabites in their distress, to offer up a multitude of sacrifices in different places; now, when it should be seen by others, and appear to themselves, that they wearied themselves in vain, and all their... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 16:12

When it is seen that Moab, etc. "When Moab shall see," etc. - For נראה nirah , a MS. reads ראה raah , and so the Syriac and Chaldee. "Perhaps נראה כי ki nirah is only a various reading of נלאה כי ki nilah ." Secker. A very probable conjecture. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 16:1-14

THE BURDEN OF MOAB ( CONTINUED ). This portion of the "burden" is divided into three sections. In section 1 (from Isaiah 16:1 to the end of Isaiah 16:5 ) an offer of mercy is made to Moab on certain conditions, viz. that she return to her allegiance to the house of David, and show kindness to fugitive Israelites. In section 2 ( Isaiah 16:6-12 ) she is supposed to have rejected this offer, and is threatened (as in Isaiah 15:1-9 .) with severe punishment. In section 3... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 16:7-14

Lament over Moab. I. MOAB 'S SELF - LAMENTATION . "Moab will wail for Moab; everything will wail." In her misery and distress, she reflects on her beauty. A fair land is like a fair maiden, and her desolation excites the like poignant self-pity. "I know not a greater grief," said Dante, "than to recall the happy time in the midst of distress." The picture of Moab ' s former happiness . The vineyard and all its gladdening associations represent the endearing charms of the land.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 16:12

When it is seen that Moab is weary ; rather, when Moab shows himself , and has wearied himself . The heathen "thought to be heard for their much speaking" ( Matthew 6:7 ). They endeavored to weary their gods into granting their prayers ( 1 Kings 18:26 ), and frequently sue-ceeded in wearying themselves. On the high place . "High places" ( bamoth ) were common to the Moabites, with the other nations of Syria and Palestine. Mesha, in his inscription, speaks of having rebuilt a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 16:12

Unavailing prayer. Moab "will come to his sanctuary to pray, but he shall not prevail." There are two kinds of unavailing prayer— I. THE PRAYER WHICH IS ADDRESSED TO NON - EXISTENT BEINGS . How pitiable that, as the consequence of the blinding influence of sin, men should have spent so much thought and effort in devotion that must have been absolutely barren of all good result! It is painful to think of the multitude of sacrifices—even human sacrifices—that have been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 16:12

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

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