Isaiah 16:7 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Moab will wail in universal lamentation as their strongholds are destroyed.
The Context of Isaiah 16:7
The complete collapse of Moab's defenses and the universal mourning that follows.
What Does Isaiah 16:7 Mean?
The doubled reference—Moab howling for Moab—suggests a totality of grief and despair. No one escapes the catastrophe; even those who might remain unmoved are compelled to participate in national mourning. The lamentation is not quiet resignation but anguished howling that expresses the depths of loss.
Kirhareseth, Moab's chief stronghold, becoming ruins means the final collapse of resistance and security. The word stricken indicates not negotiated defeat but devastating destruction. This verse portrays the psychological and spiritual devastation that accompanies military annihilation.
Isaiah 16:7 in the Original Language
Kirhareseth (קִיר־חֶרֶסֶת) — the sun-burnt fortress, Moab's principal stronghold. Its destruction symbolizes the end of national security.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 16:7
What does Isaiah 16:7 mean?
Moab will wail in universal lamentation as their strongholds are destroyed.
What is the context of Isaiah 16:7?
The complete collapse of Moab's defenses and the universal mourning that follows.