An oracle concerning Moab. Because Ar of Moab is laid waste in a night, Moab is undone; because Kir of Moab is laid waste in a night, Moab is undone.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The repeated phrase "in a night" emphasizes not just the suddenness of the destruction, but the terrifying vulnerability that strikes when one feels most secure. Moab is utterly undone because its strongest cities, Ar and Kir, known for their defenses, were conquered with shocking speed, leaving the entire nation defenseless and undone.
An oracle concerning Moab. Because Ar of Moab is laid waste in a night, Moab is undone; because Kir of Moab is laid waste in a night, Moab is undone.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This chapter begins Isaiah's pronouncement of judgment against the nation of Moab, their long-time adversaries. The prophecy opens with the swift and unexpected destruction of Moab's major cities, Ar and Kir, underscoring the suddenness of the coming devastation. What follows is not an account of battles, but a vivid description of the widespread mourning and desperate flight of the Moabite people in the wake of this catastrophic loss.
Imagine the shock: a devastating attack striking in the dead of night, leaving a nation reeling. This prophecy on Moab emphasizes this suddenness.
The prophecy about Moab begins with a stark declaration: "Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste... because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste... Moab is undone."
Two cities, Ar and Kir, are named as the primary targets. Why these specific locations, and what does their destruction signify?
The prophecy focuses on the destruction of two specific cities, Ar and Kir, as the catalyst for Moab's downfall.
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Understand the original words
massa' · Hebrew Noun
A prophetic utterance or burden received from God, often carrying a message of judgment or woe against a nation or group of people.
Mo'ab · Hebrew Proper Noun
The ancient kingdom situated east of the Dead Sea, frequently in conflict with Israel and often serving as a symbol of pride and opposition to God's people, facing divine judgment.
shadad · Hebrew Verb
A term used to describe physical or metaphorical destruction, desolation, or ruin, often resulting from divine judgment or warfare.
This prophecy reflects the profound anxiety and sudden destruction that befell Moab, likely due to Assyrian military actions during the late 8th century BC. The swift fall of its key cities, Ar and Kir, signaled a devastating blow to Moab's independence and security, highlighting the volatile geopolitical climate of the era.
c. 840 BC
Moabite Rebellion
After a period of Israelite domination under Omri and Ahab, Moab, led by Mesha, revolted and successfully regained independence, reclaiming territory north of the Arnon River. This event likely fueled Moabite pride and animosity toward Israel.
c. 730s BC
Assyrian Advance into Canaan
The Assyrian Empire, under Tiglath-Pileser III, began its major expansion into the Levant. This pressured smaller nations like Moab, often forcing them into alliances or vassalage, and set the stage for future conflicts.
c. 711 BC
Ashdod Conspiracy and Assyrian Reprisals
Sargon II of Assyria crushed a revolt centered in Ashdod, which likely involved neighboring states like Moab. This event demonstrated Assyria's reach and ruthlessness, impacting regional stability.
705 BC
Death of Sargon II
The death of the Assyrian king Sargon II led to widespread rebellions among vassal states in the Levant. This period of Assyrian weakness might have offered temporary relief or prompted new strategic calculations for nations like Moab.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib's Campaign in Judah
Assyrian king Sennacherib marched through Phoenicia and Philistia towards Judah. While the focus was Judah, this campaign would have created immense fear and disruption across the region, impacting Moab.
This passage, like Isaiah 15, directly addresses the 'burden of Moab' and details its impending judgment and desolation, emphasizing the destruction of its cities and the sorrow of its people.
Ezekiel 25:11This verse, which pronounces judgment on Ammon (a related nation to Moab), mirrors the theme of divine retribution for the arrogance and actions of these neighboring peoples against Israel.
Amos 2:1Similar to Isaiah's oracle against Moab, Amos declares judgment against Moab for desecrating the bones of the king of Edom, highlighting God's concern for justice even among nations.
Lamentations 2:10This verse describes the silencing and devastation of Jerusalem by enemies, echoing Isaiah's portrayal of Moab's cities being 'laid waste and brought to silence' as a consequence of destruction.
cambridgeIsaiah 15:1: "The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence;"
1 . The verse stands somewhat apart from the sequel of the poem. It announces the catastrophe which has placed the entire country at the mercy of the invaders, viz. the fall of the two chief cities of Moab. What follows is a description, not of the further progress of the campaign, but first of the universal mourning ca…
clarkeIsaiah 15:1: "The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence;"
Because in the night - בליל beleil. That both these cities should be taken in the night is a circumstance somewhat unusual; but not so material as to deserve to be so strongly insisted upon. Vitringa, by his remark on this word, shows that he was dissatisfied with it in its plain and obvious meaning, and is forced to h…
The repeated phrase "in a night" emphasizes not just the suddenness of the destruction, but the terrifying vulnerability that strikes when one feels most secure. Moab is utterly undone because its strongest cities, Ar and Kir, known for their defenses, were conquered with shocking speed, leaving the entire nation defenseless and undone.
This chapter begins Isaiah's pronouncement of judgment against the nation of Moab, their long-time adversaries. The prophecy opens with the swift and unexpected destruction of Moab's major cities, Ar and Kir, underscoring the suddenness of the coming devastation. What follows is not an account of battles, but a vivid description of the widespread mourning and desperate flight of the Moabite people in the wake of this catastrophic loss.
This chapter begins Isaiah's pronouncement of judgment against the nation of Moab, their long-time adversaries. The prophecy opens with the swift and unexpected destruction of Moab's major cities, Ar and Kir, underscoring the suddenness of the coming devastation. What follows is not an account of battles, but a vivid description of the widespread mourning and desperate flight of the Moabite people in the wake of this catastrophic loss.
"An oracle concerning Moab.
Because Ar of Moab is laid waste in a night,
Moab is undone;
because Kir of Moab is laid waste in a night,
Moab is undone." — The repeated phrase "in a night" emphasizes not just the suddenness of the destruction, but the terrifying vulnerability that strikes when one feels most secure. Moab is utterly undone because its st…
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Last reviewed October 2026