The “Burden against Moab”: 

V1: This chapter is explicitly titled an “oracle” or “burden” against Moab. Moab is the subject of this prophecy because it mistreated Israel, *refusing to let the Israelites pass through its land, and as a result, God will bring judgment upon it.

*Inference to refusing passage by Israelites goes all the way back to when Moses asked for minimal passage through Moab while leaving Egypt. Ar was the capital of Moab. Just like the name Babylon, the Bible sometimes uses “Ar” to refer to the entire nation of Moab. 

The noun ‘ar (עָר) is used to describe an enemy or adversary. The Bible sometimes uses ‘ar to define the entire nation of Moab. Today this area is inside Jordan (Genesis_19:30-38). There was a Moabite connection with Israel. They were related to Israel because Lot was Abraham’s nephew. Because of this, God told Israel in Deuteronomy_2:9 to not destroy Moab and take their land.

V2: This verse is part of a larger prophecy against the nation of Moab. It details a prophecy of judgment and destruction. Nebo and Medeba if Moab have already suffered destruction or a pending destruction. The Bible is not specific other than it has been or would be destroyed. Their wailing and crying was not limited to Nebo and Medeba destruction, but more of a concern that they would be next in line for destruction.

V3: As noted in verse 2, yes, they were fearful of their own skins, but it included their fear of their destruction as a nation. King David had put the Moabites under tribute to Israel then became a tributary of the Assyrian Empire in the late 8th century BCE. Following that their conquerors were the Babylonians, the Persians and later, the Greeks. Eventually they fell to Rome. Now we know what happened to the Moabites, bitter enemies of Israel.

The Nabataeans occupied the land of Moab just before their conquest by the Romans. They are often identified with the Nabayat of Assyrian records. The Genesis 25:13 (or Nabaioth), was the firstborn son of Ishmael (Genesis 25:13).

NOTE: Life’s lineage can become a bit complexing. We only trace the connections to past people to help us understand where, when, how, and who, that makes history both earthly and scriptural. Such as… The listing of Ishmael’s twelve sons in Genesis 25:13is significant because God had promised Hagar that Ishmael would “father twelve princes” who would become the heads of their own tribes.

V4: *Heshbon and Elealeh, cities of Moab, are east of the Jordan River. They too will fall. Their cry and fear of destruction will spread throughout the area into neighboring nations. These two former cities of Moab would have been in modern-day Jordan.

*These two cities are in territory that was originally given to the Israelite tribes of Gad and Reuben (Numbers 32:1–5). 

V5: “My heart shall cry out for Moab…” The word “cry” (zaw-ak’ ) is shriek in the Hebrew. It is much more meaningful than in the English word cry. The Moabite army trembles in their souls, so distraught that they could not defeat the invasion by a powerful enemy.

V6 &7: These two verses help us understand how TOTAL was the destruction in Moab. Up to this point in this article, chapter 15 defines and describes the finality of Moab. It doesn’t even exist today, but southern Jordan does. WE should note, all this destruction to Moab is due to their animosity of Israel. What might this relate to end time or the animosity in the UN and the world today? It will be the same thing. HeEd this as a warning o’ world.

V8: “For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the wailing thereof unto Eglaim, and the wailing thereof unto Beer-elim.” A fascinating bit of information is the name Eglaim. It is potentially linked to “En-eglaim” in Ezekiel 47, a location where fishermen will spread nets in a future, revitalized Dead Sea during the millennial reign of Christ.

V9: “For the waters of Dimon will be full of blood.” Dimon may be Dibon. The name “Dimon” may have been chosen to sound like the Hebrew word for “blood.

• A Near-Future Prophecy: Isaiah specified that this judgment on Moab would be fulfilled within three years of his prophecy. Isaiah 16:14 points this out so we know it is not part of End Time. Chapter 16 is next.

It will be nothing short of elimination of the Moabites. They do not exist today, other than, perhaps, a very few coat-tail people who do not know who they are.

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2025