Isaiah 15:1

“The burden of Moab, &c.] A heavy, grievous prophecy, concerning the destruction of Moab. The Targum is, “the burden of the cup of cursing, to give Moab to drink.” This seems to respect the destruction of it by Nebuchadnezzar, which is prophesied of in (<244801>Jeremiah 48:1-22) for that which was to be within three years, (<231614>Isaiah 16:14) looks like another and distinct prophecy from this; though some think this was accomplished before the times of Nebuchadnezzar, either by Shalmaneser king of Assyria, some time before the captivity of the ten tribes, as Vitringa and others; or by Sennacherib, after the invasion of Judea, so Jarchi. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, [and]…”

“THE FIFTEENTH AND SIXTEENTH CHAPTERS FORM ONE PROPHECY ON MOAB. (Isa 15:1-9) Because--rather, "Surely"; literally, "(I affirm) that" [MAURER]. night--the time best suited for a hostile incursion (Isa 21:4; Jer 39:4). Ar--meaning in Hebrew, "the city"; the metropolis of Moab, on the south of the river Arnon. Kir--literally, "a citadel"; not far from Ar, towards the south. He--Moab personified. Bajith--rather, "to the temple" [MAURER]; answering to the "sanctuary" (Isa 16:12), in a similar context. to Dibon--Rather, as Dibon was in a plain north of the Arnon, "Dibon (is gone up) to the high places," the usual places of sacrifice in the East. Same town as Dimon (Isa 15:9). to weep--at the…”

“The burden of Moab - (see the note at Isaiah 13:1). This is the title of the prophecy. The Chaldee renders this, ‘The burden of the cup of malediction which is to come upon Moab.’ Because in the night - The fact that this was to be done in the night denotes the suddenness with which the calamity would come upon them. Thus the expression is used in Job to denote the suddenness and surprise with which calamities come: Terrors take hold on him as waters, A tempest stealeth him away in the night. Job 27:20 So a thief is represented as coming in the night - in a sudden and unexpected manner Job 24:14 : The murderer in the night is as a thief. See also Matthew 24:43; 1Th 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10;…”

“The burden - A prophecy of the destruction of the Moabites, the inveterate enemies of the Jews, begun by the Assyrian, and finished by the Babylonian emperors. In a night - Suddenly and unexpectedly. Ar - The chief city of Moab. Kir - Another eminent city of Moab. Isaiah 15:2”

“15:1–16:14 This message of judgment and lament concerned Moab’s fall. The extensive references to Moabite place names indicate that Isaiah was thoroughly familiar with Moab. 15:1 Moab was Judah’s enemy, situated on the eastern side of the Dead Sea. • In one night: Destruction would be sudden and decisive.”

“burden: This and the following chapter form one entire prophecy; which was most probably delivered, as Bp. Lowth supposes, soon after the foregoing ( Isa 14:28-32), in the first year of Hezekiah, and accomplished in his fourth year when Shalmaneser invaded Israel. Isa 13:1, Isa 14:28 Moab: Isa 11:14, Isa 25:10; Jer 9:26, 48:1-47; Eze 25:8-11; Amo 2:1-3; Zep 2:8-11 in the: Exo 12:29, Exo 12:30; Th1 5:1-3 Ar: Num 21:28; Deu 2:9, Deu 2:18 brought to silence: or, cut off Kir: Isa 16:7, Kir-hareseth, Isa 16:11, Kir-haresh, Kg2 3:25, Kir-haraseth, Jer 48:31, Jer 48:36, Kir-heres Isaiah 15:2”

“There is no other prophecy in the book of Isaiah in which the heart of the prophet is so painfully affected by what his mind sees, and his mouth is obliged to prophesy. All that he predicts evokes his deepest sympathy, just as if he himself belonged to the unfortunate nation to which he is called to be a messenger of woe. He commences with an utterance of amazement. "Oracle concerning Moab! for in a night 'Ar-Moab is laid waste, destroyed; for in a night Kir-Moab is laid waste, destroyed." The ci (for) is explanatory in both instances, and not simply affirmative, or, as Knobel maintains, recitative, and therefore unmeaning. The prophet justifies the peculiar heading to his prophecy from the…”