Bible Strands
Isaiah 16:12
When Moab appears on the high place, when he wearies himself and enters his sanctuary to pray, it will do him no good.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The prophet transmits the LORD’s prior oracle concerning Moab, positioned between his personal lament over Kir-heres and the formal closing of the message. The speech addresses Judah and the nations regarding Moab’s impending judgment.
The words — נִלְאָ֥ה (nil.'Ah) means "it has wearied itself," describing Moab’s exhausted ritual efforts, while בָּמָ֑ה (ba.Mah) denotes the "high place" where these futile sacrifices occur.
The thread — The text’s depiction of exhausted ritualism parallels Isaiah 15:2, where Moab’s weeping at its temples yields no relief, and Jeremiah 48:35, which promises the LORD will end such offerings. The pattern of futile worship also mirrors the unresponsive raving of Baal’s prophets in 1 Kings 18:29.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that external religious exertion cannot avert divine judgment or alter a people’s fate. It requires the reader to assess whether their own practices rely on visible effort rather than genuine alignment with God’s word.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 15:2 Dibon goes up to its temple to weep at its high places. Moab wails over Nebo, as well as over Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off.
- 1 Kings 18:29 Midday passed, and they kept on raving until the time of the evening sacrifice. But there was no response; no one answered, no one paid attention.
- Jeremiah 48:35 In Moab, declares the LORD, I will bring an end to those who make offerings on the high places and burn incense to their gods.
- Numbers 22:39 So Balaam accompanied Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.
- Numbers 23:14 So Balak took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, where he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
- Numbers 23:28 And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.
- Jeremiah 48:7 Because you trust in your works and treasures, you too will be captured, and Chemosh will go into exile with his priests and officials.
- Jeremiah 48:46 Woe to you, O Moab! The people of Chemosh have perished; for your sons have been taken into exile and your daughters have gone into captivity.
- Numbers 22:41 The next morning, Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-baal. From there he could see the outskirts of the camp of the people.
- Numbers 24:17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.