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Isaiah 16:4

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 16:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Let mine outcasts dwell with thee; as for Moab, be thou a covert to him from the face of the destroyer. For the extortioner is brought to nought, destruction ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Let mine outcasts dwell with thee; as for Moab, be thou a covert to him from the face of the destroyer. For the extortioner is brought to nought, destruction ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.
Isaiah 16:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Send ye the lambs for the ruler of the land from Selah to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.
2For it shall be that, as wandering birds, as a scattered nest, so shall the daughters of Moab be at the fords of the Arnon.
3Give counsel, execute justice; make thy shade as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; betray not the fugitive.
4Let mine outcasts dwell with thee; as for Moab, be thou a covert to him from the face of the destroyer. For the extortioner is brought to nought, destruction ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.
5And a throne shall be established in lovingkindness; and one shall sit thereon in truth, in the tent of David, judging, and seeking justice, and swift to do righteousness.
6We have heard of the pride of Moab, [that] he is very proud; even of his arrogancy, and his pride, and his wrath; his boastings are nought.
7Therefore shall Moab wail for Moab, every one shall wail: for the raisin-cakes of Kir-hareseth shall ye mourn, utterly stricken.
← Isaiah 16:3Isaiah 16:5 →
← Full Chapter 16 Isaiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, &c.] Not whom God had cast out, but who were the Lord’s people, and whom he owns as such, though cast out by the enemy, or obliged to flee, and quit their country; let these be sojourners in thy land; let them continue awhile there; let them dwell privately and peaceably: Moab, be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: that is, O king of Moab, or kingdom of Moab, as the Targum, hide and protect the Jews that shall flee to thee for shelter, from the face of the spoiler of their land and substance, Sennacherib king of Assyria; and, to encourage them to do these things, it is suggested that they would not be long troublesome to them, and would…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Rather, "Let the outcasts of Moab dwell with thee" (Judah) [HORSLEY]. for the extortioner, &c.--The Assyrian oppressor probably. is at an end--By the time that Moab begs Judah for shelter, Judah shall be in a condition to afford it, for the Assyrian oppressor shall have been "consumed out of the land."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Let mine outcasts - This may be understood as the language of Judea, or of God. ‘Mine outcasts’ may mean the exiles of Judea, or God may call them “his.” The sense is essentially the same. It denotes those who were fugitives, wanderers, exiles from the land of Judea, and who took refuge in the land of Moab; and God claims for them protection. Dwell with thee - Not dwell permanently, but sojourn (יגוּרוּ yāgûrû), let them remain with you as exiles; or let them find a refuge in your land. Be thou a covert to them - A refuge; a hiding-place; a place of “secrecy” (סתר sêther). From the face of the spoiler - That is, the conqueror from whose desolating career they would seek a refuge in the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Mine out - casts - Whom tho' I have sorely chastened, yet I own for my people. At an end - Shall shortly be destroyed, and then thou wilt not lose the fruit of thy kindness. The present tense is put for the future. Isaiah 16:5”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“16:4-5 This prophecy of salvation spoke of the future of David’s dynasty. • Activities such as oppression and destruction would cease with the end of Moabite hostilities (see 2 Kgs 13:20).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“mine: Deu 23:15, Deu 23:16, Deu 24:14; Jer 21:12 for: Isa 14:4, Isa 33:1, Isa 51:13; Jer 48:8, Jer 48:18; Zac 9:8 extortioner: Heb. wringer oppressors: Heb. treaders down, Isa 15:6, Isa 25:10; Zac 10:5; Mal 4:3; Luk 21:24; Rom 16:20; Rev 11:2 Isaiah 16:5”
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Related study paths

Read Isaiah 16 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification