Therefore my heart laments for Moab like a harp, my inmost being for Kir-heres.
Parallel translations
- WEB Therefore my heart sounds like a harp for Moab, and my inward parts for Kir Heres.
- KJV Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.
- NKJV Therefore my heart shall resound like a harp for Moab, And my inner being for Kir Heres.
- NASB Therefore my inner being sounds like a harp for Moab. And my heart for Kir-hareseth.
- NLT My heart’s cry for Moab is like a lament on a harp. I am filled with anguish for Kir-hareseth.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Isaiah's heart throbs like a harp for Moab, his inmost being moved for Kir Heres. His compassion for the stricken nation runs deep.
Overview
The prophet describes his inner grief vibrating like the strings of a lyre over Moab's suffering. This tender lament for a foreign people reveals a heart shaped by God's own mercy. Such compassion amid judgment points to the gospel's offer of mercy even to those outside the covenant.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Isa 15:5My heart cries out over Moab; her fugitives flee as far as Zoar, as far as Eglath-shelishiyah. With weeping they ascend the slope of Luhith; they lament their destruction on the road to Horonaim.
- Phil 2:1Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
- Jer 48:36Therefore My heart laments like a flute for Moab; it laments like a flute for the men of Kir-heres, because the wealth they acquired has perished.
- Isa 63:15Look down from heaven and see, from Your holy and glorious habitation. Where are Your zeal and might? Your yearning and compassion for me are restrained.
- Hos 11:8How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred!
- Jer 31:20Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.
- Jer 4:19My anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain! Oh, the pain in my chest! My heart pounds within me; I cannot be silent. For I have heard the sound of the horn, the alarm of battle.
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Christ at the center
Isaiah sees him most clearly: the virgin's son Immanuel, the child on David's throne, the shoot from Jesse, the light to the nations, and above all the Suffering Servant pierced for our transgressions (ch. 53).
How Isaiah 16:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.