King James Version

What Does Isaiah 15:3 Mean?

Isaiah 15:3 in the King James Version says “In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly. weeping: Heb. descending into weeping, or, coming down with weeping”

Isaiah 15:3 · KJV

Context

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; brought: or, cut off

2

He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off.

3

In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly. weeping: Heb. descending into weeping, or, coming down with weeping

4

And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh: their voice shall be heard even unto Jahaz: therefore the armed soldiers of Moab shall cry out; his life shall be grievous unto him.

5

My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction. his: or, to the borders thereof, even to Zoar, as an heifer destruction: Heb. breaking

Read Isaiah 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The image of entire cities girding themselves with sackcloth depicts corporate mourning. Streets, housetops, and public squares become theaters of lamentation—no private corners exist for this grief. The phrase "weeping abundantly" (Hebrew yered bedeki, "descending in weeping") suggests tears flowing like water, overwhelming sorrow. This universal mourning contrasts with Moab's former pride. God's judgments often work by removing what nations idolize—in Moab's case, national security and prosperity. The public nature of mourning serves both as authentic expression and as testimony to surrounding nations of divine judgment. Reformed soteriology recognizes such temporal judgments as both warning and mercy—calls to repentance before final judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern cities conducted public mourning rituals involving entire communities. Sackcloth, coarse goat-hair fabric, symbolized humiliation and repentance. Housetop lamentation was particularly significant as roofs served as public gathering spaces in Middle Eastern architecture. The archaeological record preserves reliefs depicting conquered peoples in mourning postures. For Moab, this public humiliation reversed their proud boasts recorded on the Mesha Stele.

Reflection Questions

  1. What role do temporal judgments play in calling people to repentance before final judgment?
  2. How should God's people respond when His judgments fall on surrounding nations?
  3. Why does God often judge nations by removing the very things they trusted instead of Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
בְּחוּצֹתָ֖יו1 of 10

“In their streets”

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

חָ֣גְרוּ2 of 10

“they shall gird”

H2296

to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.)

שָׂ֑ק3 of 10

“themselves with sackcloth”

H8242

properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e., coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grai

עַ֣ל4 of 10
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

גַּגּוֹתֶ֧יהָ5 of 10

“on the tops”

H1406

a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar

וּבִרְחֹבֹתֶ֛יהָ6 of 10

“of their houses and in their streets”

H7339

a width, i.e., (concretely) avenue or area

כֻּלֹּ֥ה7 of 10
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יְיֵלִ֖יל8 of 10

“every one shall howl”

H3213

to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one)

יֹרֵ֥ד9 of 10

“abundantly”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

בַּבֶּֽכִי׃10 of 10

“weeping”

H1065

a weeping; by analogy, a dripping

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 15:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 15:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jonah 3:6-8Jeremiah 48:38-39Isaiah 22:12 Kings 6:30Matthew 11:21Isaiah 22:4

Test Your Knowledge

Isaiah 15 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterIsaiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Isaiah 15 with CommentaryAll Isaiah ChaptersComplete Isaiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes