King James Version

What Does Isaiah 16:14 Mean?

Isaiah 16:14 in the King James Version says “But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be co... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble . feeble: or, not many

Isaiah 16:14 · KJV


Context

12

And it shall come to pass, when it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place, that he shall come to his sanctuary to pray; but he shall not prevail.

13

This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning Moab since that time.

14

But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble . feeble: or, not many


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble." God sets specific timeframe: three years precisely measured "as years of an hireling" (contracted laborer counting exactly). This specificity demonstrates sovereign control over history's details. Moab's "glory" will be "contemned" (niklah—brought into contempt, despised). Their "great multitude" becomes "very small and feeble." This fulfilled as invasions progressively reduced Moab until they disappeared as distinct nation. Theologically, prideful glory inevitably faces humiliation; God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The three-year timeframe likely refers to Assyrian campaigns under Tiglath-Pileser III or Sargon II (730s-710s BCE). Hired laborers contracted for specific periods, carefully tracking time until freedom—thus "years of an hireling" means exactly three years. Moab suffered multiple invasions: Assyrian (732, 715 BCE), Babylonian (6th century), eventually disappearing by Persian period. Progressive reduction from "great multitude" to "small feeble remnant" occurred over centuries. By New Testament times, Moabites existed only as historical memory.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the three-year timeframe teach about God's sovereign control over historical details?
  2. How does Moab's glory becoming contempt illustrate the principle that God humbles the proud?
  3. How do progressive judgments over time demonstrate both divine patience and certain justice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְעַתָּ֗ה1 of 19
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

דִּבֶּ֣ר2 of 19

hath spoken

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָה֮3 of 19

But now the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לֵאמֹר֒4 of 19

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בְּשָׁלֹ֤שׁ5 of 19

Within three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

כִּשְׁנֵ֣י6 of 19

as the years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

כִּשְׁנֵ֣י7 of 19

as the years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

שָׂכִ֔יר8 of 19

of an hireling

H7916

a man who is hired by the day or year

וְנִקְלָה֙9 of 19

shall be contemned

H7034

to be light (as implied in rapid motion), but figuratively, only (be [causatively, hold] in contempt)

כְּב֣וֹד10 of 19

and the glory

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

מוֹאָ֔ב11 of 19

of Moab

H4124

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

בְּכֹ֖ל12 of 19
H3605

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

הֶהָמ֣וֹן13 of 19

multitude

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

הָרָ֑ב14 of 19

with all that great

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

וּשְׁאָ֥ר15 of 19

and the remnant

H7605

a remainder

מְעַ֛ט16 of 19

shall be very

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

מִזְעָ֖ר17 of 19

small

H4213

fewness; by implication, as superlative diminutiveness

ל֥וֹא18 of 19

and feeble

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

כַבִּֽיר׃19 of 19
H3524

vast, whether in extent (figuratively, of power, mighty; of time, aged), or in number, many


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 16:14 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 16:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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