King James Version

What Does Isaiah 16:9 Mean?

Isaiah 16:9 in the King James Version says “Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and El...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen. the shouting: or, the alarm is fallen upon, etc”

Isaiah 16:9 · KJV

Context

7

Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken. mourn: or, mutter

8

For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah: the lords of the heathen have broken down the principal plants thereof, they are come even unto Jazer, they wandered through the wilderness: her branches are stretched out, they are gone over the sea. stretched: or, plucked up

9

Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen. the shouting: or, the alarm is fallen upon, etc

10

And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease.

11

Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.

Read Isaiah 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh." Despite Moab's enmity, Isaiah mourns their devastation—true prophetic compassion. "I will water thee with my tears" uses irrigation imagery ironically—tears water ruins instead of nourishing vines. Battle cries falling upon harvest indicate war destroying abundance. The prophet weeps not because judgment is unjust, but because sin's consequences are tragic. This models Christian response: unwavering in truth, yet genuinely sorrowful. Christ wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41) while pronouncing judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

These cities formed Moab's agricultural heartland. Ancient warfare timed campaigns to harvest season—capturing food supplies while denying them to enemies. Vintage shouts were ironically replaced by war cries. Isaiah's compassion for enemies reflects the prophetic tradition—Jeremiah similarly mourned Judah's judgment while proclaiming it. This differentiates true prophets from false ones who either minimize judgment or announce it gleefully.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Isaiah's grief for enemies model proper Christian response to divine judgment?
  2. What does watering ruins with tears teach about sin's tragedy despite justice demanding consequences?
  3. How should conviction about righteous judgment coexist with genuine sorrow?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
עַל1 of 18
H5921

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

כֵּ֡ן2 of 18
H3651

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

אֶבְכֶּ֞ה3 of 18

“Therefore I will bewail”

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

בִּבְכִ֤י4 of 18

“with the weeping”

H1065

a weeping; by analogy, a dripping

יַעְזֵר֙5 of 18

“of Jazer”

H3270

jaazer or jazer, a place east of the jordan

גֶּ֣פֶן6 of 18

“the vine”

H1612

a vine (as twining), especially the grape

שִׂבְמָ֔ה7 of 18

“of Sibmah”

H7643

sebam or sibmah, a place in moab

אֲרַיָּ֙וֶךְ֙8 of 18

“I will water”

H7301

to slake the thirst (occasionally of other appetites)

דִּמְעָתִ֔י9 of 18

“thee with my tears”

H1832

weeping

חֶשְׁבּ֖וֹן10 of 18

“O Heshbon”

H2809

cheshbon, a place east of the jordan

וְאֶלְעָלֵ֑ה11 of 18

“and Elealeh”

H500

elale or elaleh, a place east of the jordan

כִּ֧י12 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עַל13 of 18
H5921

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

קֵיצֵ֛ךְ14 of 18

“for thy summer fruits”

H7019

harvest (as the crop), whether the product (grain or fruit) or the (dry) season

וְעַל15 of 18
H5921

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

קְצִירֵ֖ךְ16 of 18

“and for thy harvest”

H7105

severed, a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)

הֵידָ֥ד17 of 18

“for the shouting”

H1959

acclamation

נָפָֽל׃18 of 18

“is fallen”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

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 16:9 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 16:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 40:12Isaiah 15:4-5Jeremiah 40:10Judges 9:27Jeremiah 48:32-34Isaiah 9:3

Places in This Verse

ElealehSettlement · Modern: Al ‘Al · 31.82°N, 35.83°E5 verses across 3 books
HeshbonSettlement · Modern: Tell Hesban · 31.80°N, 35.81°E37 verses across 9 books
JazerSettlement · Modern: Khirbet Sara · 31.94°N, 35.83°E13 verses across 6 books
SibmahSettlement · Modern: Qarn al Qubish · 31.78°N, 35.76°E6 verses across 4 books
View all places in Isaiah 16 →

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