We have heard of the pride of Moab— how proud he is!— of his arrogance, his pride, and his insolence; in his idle boasting he is not right.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What seems like a simple description of Moab's pride is actually a subtle warning: their "lies" (boastings, empty confidence) are not just false, but fundamentally "not right," meaning they lack any true foundation or strength. This hints that their arrogance isn't just a personality flaw, but a complete distortion of reality that will lead to their downfall.
We have heard of the pride of Moab— how proud he is!— of his arrogance, his pride, and his insolence; in his idle boasting he is not right.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Isaiah has just urged the Moabites to offer refuge to Jewish exiles fleeing oppression, and to submit to Judah's authority. However, the prophet anticipates that Moab's characteristic arrogance and pride will cause them to reject this plea. He laments that their overweening self-confidence and boasts of security are ultimately hollow and will prove to be completely unfounded.
Moab's downfall wasn't a sudden accident. It was a deep-seated character flaw that Isaiah calls out directly. What does this tell us about how pride operates in our own lives?
Isaiah zeroes in on Moab's 'pride,' 'arrogance,' and 'insolence.' These aren't just isolated incidents; they describe a pervasive attitude. The prophet repeats 'pride' and 'arrogance' to emphasize how central this sin was to their identity.
A Well-Known Sin
Isaiah states, 'We have heard of the pride of Moab.' This implies that Moab's arrogance was not a secret. It was so obvious that it was common knowledge. Their boastful claims and their haughty spirit were what defined them to their neighbors.
The Root of Rejection
This pride led Moab to reject God's counsel and protection, as hinted in the surrounding verses. Instead of seeking wisdom or offering refuge to those in need (like the exiled Jews), they relied on their own perceived strength and status. This self-sufficiency, fueled by pride, blinded them to their real danger and their need for God.
Moab was full of loud declarations and self-confidence. But Isaiah makes it clear: their words were hollow and their confidence misplaced. What’s the difference between genuine confidence and boastful arrogance?
The phrase 'in his idle boasting he is not right' cuts to the core of Moab's problem. Their confidence wasn't grounded in truth or reality; it was based on 'idle boasting' – empty words and false pretenses.
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Commentators suggest this phrase could mean their boasts were 'of no worth,' 'not true,' or 'shall not stand.' Their claims of strength and security were illusions. They were not 'right' in the sense of being sound, stable, or aligned with truth.
Disappointed Expectations
This disconnect between their boasts and reality meant their expectations would be shattered. They believed they were secure and powerful, but God's judgment would prove their 'lies' and 'boastings' to be utterly ineffective. Their confidence was misplaced, leading to inevitable disappointment and destruction.
Understand the original words
ga'on · Hebrew Noun
An attitude of self-exaltation that places oneself above God and others, often leading to judgment. It is considered the root of many other sins.
ga'awah · Hebrew Noun
An exaggerated sense of self-importance and superiority that manifests in haughty behavior or speech. Biblically, it is contrasted with the humility that God desires.
'ebrah · Hebrew Noun
A lack of restraint or humility in speech and action, characterized by a defiant disregard for others or for moral limits.
bad · Hebrew Noun
A loud and empty expression of self-importance or confidence that is disconnected from truth or divine reality.
Isaiah's prophecy against Moab's pride comes against a backdrop of shifting empires and regional instability, from the dominance of Assyria to the rise of Babylon. Moab's arrogance, highlighted in this verse, likely stemmed from a false sense of security or defiance amidst these powerful forces, making God's impending judgment all the more significant.
c. 840 BC
Moabite Stone Inscription
The Moabite Stone, also known as the Mesha Stele, recounts Moab's victory over Israel. It highlights Moab's fierce pride and their defiance against Israelite rule, reflecting the historical context of ongoing tension and conflict between the two nations.
c. 734-732 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War
Assyria, under Tiglath-Pileser III, intervenes in the region, subjugating many smaller states, including Damascus and parts of Israel. This war created a climate of fear and instability, pressuring states like Moab to align with or resist Assyrian dominance.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Israel
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Neo-Assyrian Empire. This devastating event would have profoundly impacted neighboring Judah and Moab, increasing the sense of Assyrian power and the vulnerability of smaller kingdoms.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
The Neo-Assyrian king Sennacherib invades Judah, conquering many cities but failing to capture Jerusalem. This campaign further destabilized the region and demonstrated the immense power of Assyria, likely influencing Moab's political calculations.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon begins deporting Judeans to Babylon, marking the start of the Babylonian exile. This event signifies the shifting imperial powers in the region and foreshadows further upheaval.
c. 550-539 BC— this verse
Rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, the Neo-Babylonian Empire consolidates its power, conquering Judah and initiating the Babylonian exile. This empire's dominance cast a long shadow over all surrounding nations, including Moab.
c. 539 BC
Fall of Babylon to Persia
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon. This marks the end of the Babylonian exile and the rise of a new superpower, the Persian Empire, which would shape the geopolitical landscape for centuries.
This passage directly echoes Isaiah's denunciation of Moab's pride, specifically mentioning their haughtiness and boasting, which are 'not so' and will not lead to their desired outcome.
Zephaniah 2:8-10Similar to Isaiah, Zephaniah highlights Moab's reproach and arrogance towards God's people, prophesying their destruction as a consequence of their insolent pride.
Proverbs 16:18This proverb directly parallels the theme of pride leading to downfall, stating that 'pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall,' which is precisely what Isaiah is warning Moab about.
James 4:6James echoes the prophetic message by stating that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, underscoring the spiritual principle behind Moab's impending judgment for their arrogance.
barnesIsaiah 16:6: "We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so."
We have heard of the pride of Moab - We Jews; we have "all" heard of it; that is, we "know" that he is proud. The evident design of the prophet here is, to say that Moab was so proud, and was well known to be so haughty, that he would "reject" this counsel. He would neither send the usual tribute to the land of Judea Isaiah 16:1 , thus acknowl…
pooleIsaiah 16:6: "We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so."
The prophet, having spoken to the Moabites, and acquainted them with their duty and interest, now he turneth his speech to God’s people, whom he armeth and comforteth against their approaching misery. The scope and sense of the prophet in this verse is this, I do not expect that my counsels will have any good effect upon Moab, they will still…
What seems like a simple description of Moab's pride is actually a subtle warning: their "lies" (boastings, empty confidence) are not just false, but fundamentally "not right," meaning they lack any true foundation or strength. This hints that their arrogance isn't just a personality flaw, but a complete distortion of reality that will lead to their downfall.
Isaiah has just urged the Moabites to offer refuge to Jewish exiles fleeing oppression, and to submit to Judah's authority. However, the prophet anticipates that Moab's characteristic arrogance and pride will cause them to reject this plea. He laments that their overweening self-confidence and boasts of security are ultimately hollow and will prove to be completely unfounded.
Isaiah has just urged the Moabites to offer refuge to Jewish exiles fleeing oppression, and to submit to Judah's authority. However, the prophet anticipates that Moab's characteristic arrogance and pride will cause them to reject this plea. He laments that their overweening self-confidence and boasts of security are ultimately hollow and will prove to be completely unfounded.
"We have heard of the pride of Moab— how proud he is!— of his arrogance, his pride, and his insolence; in his idle boasting he is not right." — What seems like a simple description of Moab's pride is actually a subtle warning: their "lies" (boastings, empty confidence) are not just false, but fundamentally "not right," meaning they lack any…
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Last reviewed October 2026