The Prophet and His Day: Isaiah 1-39 - Free Bible Commentary

16:2 Moab is described as1. fleeing/fluttering birds, BDB 622 I, KB 672, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE2. scattered nestlings, BDB 1018, KB 1511, Pual PARTICIPLEShe is further identified as “the daughters of Moab,” but this, like v. 14, refers to all the inhabitantsof the land that remained alive.} “at the fords of the Arnon” The Arnon River (wadi El-Mujib) flows into the middle of the DeadSea on the eastern side. It was the geographical boundary between Ammon on the north and Moab onthe south (extending to the Zered Brook [possible wadi El-Hesa]).It is surprising that these fords (low water crossings) are not close to Judah’s borders, but acrossthe Dead Sea. Possibly a Judean military force had marched through Ammon to these fords. It is alsopossible that the phrase denotes a southern exodus from a northern invader.16:3-4 These verses give (1) the message (IMPERATIVES used as requests) which accompanied the lambsor (2) Isaiah’s admonition for the Judeans to accept the Moabites. I think option #1 is best.1. “give advice,” BDB 97, KB 112, Hiphil IMPERATIVE, written MASCULINE PLURAL, but to beread as FEMININE SINGULAR to agree with “advice” (BDB 420), which is FEMININE2. “make a decision,” BDB 793, KB 889, Qal IMPERATIVE3. “cast your shadow,” BDB 1011, KB 1483, Qal IMPERATIVE(cf. 25:4; 32:2; Ps. 91:1)4. “hide the outcasts,” BDB 711, KB 771, Piel IMPERATIVE5. “do not betray the fugitive,” BDB 162, KB 191, Piel IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense6. “let the outcasts of Moab stay with you,” BDB 157, KB 184, Qal IMPERFECT used in aJUSSIVE sense7. “be a hiding place to them,” BDB 217, KB 241, Qal IMPERATIVEAlthough Moab was a traditional enemy, there were close connections to the Davidic house (i.e., Ruth;I Sam. 22:3-5).16:3 “Cast your shadow like night at high noon” This is metaphorical language for protection. It maybe a specific reference to the Shekinah cloud of glory that followed the Israelites through this very landduring the Wilderness Wandering Period. It was a cloud cover (shade and cool) in the daytime andpillar of fire at night. It symbolized YHWH’s personal presence, provision, and protection.16:4 There is a series of time conditions related to Moab’s invasion after which the governmentalauthority of Judea will be extended to the whole area (cf. v. 5).Here are the conditions.1. the extortioner (BDB 568) has come to an end (BDB 67, KB 79, Qal PERFECT)2. destruction (BDB 994, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE) has ceased (BDB 477 I, KB 476, QalPERFECT3. oppressors (BDB 942, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE) have completely disappeared from the land(BDB 1070, KB 1752, Qal PERFECT)16:5 This verse describes the coming government from Judea (cf. 9:6-7; 11:3-5).1. a throne will be established (PERFECT) in lovingkindness (BDB 338, see Special Topicfollowing)2. a judge will sit (PERFECT) on it in faithfulness (BDB 54) in the tent of David3. he will seek justice (BDB 1048, cf. 11:3,4)4. he will be prompt in righteousness (“righteousness,” BDB 841, cf. 11:4,5, see Special Topicat 1:4; “prompt,” BDB 555, usually means skilled in something, therefore, able to do itrapidly. Here it denotes a Davidic ruler who quickly acts in righteousness)This verse is why the Peshitta and Vulgate view this context as Messianic.179