King James Version

What Does Isaiah 15:4 Mean?

Isaiah 15:4 in the King James Version says “And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh: their voice shall be heard even unto Jahaz: therefore the armed soldiers of Moab sha... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Isaiah 15:4 · KJV


Context

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

6

For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing. desolate: Heb. desolations


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Heshbon and Elealeh's cry reaching to Jahaz (about 20 miles) indicates either extraordinarily loud lamentation or the spread of calamity across the region. The armed soldiers crying aloud reverses expected military bravado—warriors reduced to weeping reveals total devastation. The phrase "his life shall be grievous unto him" (literally "his soul trembles within him") describes existential anguish, not mere physical suffering. This depicts the psychological trauma of military defeat and national collapse. The breakdown of military strength demonstrates that earthly power provides no ultimate security. Reformed theology emphasizes that only covenant relationship with the sovereign God provides true refuge; all other securities are illusions destined to fail under divine judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Heshbon, originally an Amorite capital conquered by Israel (Numbers 21:25-26), became a border city between Israel and Moab. Elealeh and Jahaz were sites of Israel-Moab conflicts. The cities' agricultural wealth (vineyards and summer fruits mentioned in verses 8-9) made them strategic targets. Assyrian military campaigns typically combined psychological warfare (terror) with systematic destruction of economic infrastructure. The reduction of soldiers to tears would have been particularly shameful in ancient warrior cultures that prized stoic courage.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the weeping of armed soldiers reveal about the inadequacy of military power as ultimate security?
  2. How do God's judgments often expose the futility of what nations trust instead of Him?
  3. In what ways should Christ's followers distinguish between earthly security and eternal refuge?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַתִּזְעַ֤ק1 of 15

shall cry

H2199

to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly

חֶשְׁבּוֹן֙2 of 15

And Heshbon

H2809

cheshbon, a place east of the jordan

וְאֶלְעָלֵ֔ה3 of 15

and Elealeh

H500

elale or elaleh, a place east of the jordan

עַד4 of 15
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

יַ֖הַץ5 of 15

even unto Jahaz

H3096

jahats or jahtsah, a place east of the jordan

נִשְׁמַ֣ע6 of 15

shall be heard

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

קוֹלָ֑ם7 of 15

their voice

H6963

a voice or sound

עַל8 of 15
H5921

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

כֵּ֗ן9 of 15
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

חֲלֻצֵ֤י10 of 15

therefore the armed soldiers

H2502

to pull off; hence (intensively) to strip, (reflexive) to depart; by implication, to deliver, equip (for fight); present, strengthen

מוֹאָב֙11 of 15

of Moab

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

יָרִ֔יעוּ12 of 15

shall cry out

H7321

to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e., shout (for alarm or joy)

נַפְשׁ֖וֹ13 of 15

his life

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

יָ֥רְעָה14 of 15

shall be grievous

H3415

properly, to be broken up (with any violent action) i.e., (figuratively) to fear

לּֽוֹ׃15 of 15
H0

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 15:4 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 15:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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