CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 15:3 In its streets they wear sackcloth; on the rooftops and in the public squares they all wail, falling down weeping.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/15-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/23_Isa_15_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 15:3 - An Oracle Concerning Moab" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="In its streets they wear sackcloth; on the rooftops and in the public squares they all wail, falling down weeping." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/isaiah/15-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/isaiah/15-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/isaiah/">Isaiah</a> > <a href="/isaiah/15.htm">Chapter 15</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/isaiah/15-2.htm" title="Isaiah 15:2">◄</a> Isaiah 15:3 <a href="/isaiah/15-4.htm" title="Isaiah 15:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/isaiah/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/isaiah/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />In the streets they wear sackcloth; on the roofs and in the public squares they all wail, prostrate with weeping.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They will wear burlap as they wander the streets. From every home and public square will come the sound of wailing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />in the streets they wear sackcloth; on the housetops and in the squares everyone wails and melts in tears.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />In its streets they wear sackcloth; on the rooftops and in the public squares they all wail, falling down weeping.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />In their streets they will clothe themselves with sackcloth; On the tops of their houses And in their streets Everyone will wail, weeping bitterly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />In their streets they have put on sackcloth; On their housetops and in their public squares Everyone is wailing, overcome with weeping.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />In their streets they have girded themselves with sackcloth; On their housetops and in their squares Everyone is wailing, dissolved in tears.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />In their streets they have girded themselves with sackcloth; On their housetops and in their squares Everyone is wailing, dissolved in tears.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />In their streets they have girded themselves with sackcloth; On their rooftops and in their squares Everyone is wailing, dissolved in weeping.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />In their streets they have wrapped themselves with sackcloth; On their [flat] housetops and in their open squares Everyone is wailing, dissolved in tears.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In its streets they wear sackcloth; on its rooftops and in its public squares everyone wails, falling down and weeping.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In its streets they wear sackcloth; on its rooftops and in its public squares everyone wails, falling down and weeping. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />In their streets they gird themselves with sackcloth; on their housetops, and in their broad places, every one waileth, weeping abundantly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />In the towns and at home, everyone wears sackcloth and cries loud and long. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />In their streets they gird themselves with sackcloth: on their housetops, and in their broad places, every one howleth, weeping abundantly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />In their streets they wear sackcloth. On their roofs and in their city squares everyone wails and cries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The people in the streets are dressed in sackcloth; in the city squares and on the rooftops people mourn and cry. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />In its streets they wear sackcloth; on its rooftops and in its squares everyone wails and falls down weeping.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />In its streets they wear sackcloth; on the rooftops and in the public squares they all wail, falling down weeping.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />In their streets they wear sackcloth; on their roofs and in their town squares all of them wail, they fall down weeping. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />In their streets, they dress themselves in sackcloth; on their roofs and in their squares, everyone wails, weeping abundantly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />In their streets, they clothe themselves in sackcloth. In their streets and on their housetops, everyone wails, weeping abundantly. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />In its out-places they girded on sackcloth, "" On its pinnacles, and in its broad places, "" Everyone howls—going down with weeping.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> In its out-places they girded on sackcloth, On its pinnacles, and in its broad places, Every one howleth -- going down with weeping.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And in their places without they girded themselves with sackcloth: upon her roofs and in her streets every one shall wail, going down into weeping.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />In their streets they are girded with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets all shall howl and come down weeping. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />At their crossroads, they have been wrapped with sackcloth. On their rooftops and in their streets, everyone descends, wailing and weeping.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />In the streets they wear sackcloth, and on the rooftops; In the squares everyone wails, streaming with tears. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />in the streets they bind on sackcloth; on the housetops and in the squares everyone wails and melts in tears.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth; on the housetops and in their streets every one shall howl, weeping vehemently.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />In its streets they put on sackcloth, and upon the rooftops and in the market every man howls and comes down with weeping<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />In their streets they gird themselves with sackcloth; On their housetops, and in their broad places, Every one howleth, weeping profusely.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Gird yourselves with sackcloth in her streets: and lament upon her roofs, and in her streets, and in her ways; howl all of you with weeping.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/15-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=3315" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/15.htm">An Oracle Concerning Moab</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>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. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2351.htm" title="2351: bə·ḥū·ṣō·ṯāw (Prep-b:: N-mpc:: 3ms) -- The outside, a street. Or chuts; from an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by a wall, i.e. Outside, outdoors.">In its streets</a> <a href="/hebrew/2296.htm" title="2296: ḥā·ḡə·rū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To gird, gird on, gird oneself. A primitive root; to gird on.">they wear</a> <a href="/hebrew/8242.htm" title="8242: śāq (N-ms) -- Sack, sackcloth. From shaqaq; properly, a mesh, i.e. Coarse loose cloth or sacking; hence, a bag.">sackcloth;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/1406.htm" title="1406: gag·gō·w·ṯe·hā (N-mpc:: 3fs) -- A roof, a top. Probably by reduplication from ga'ah; a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar.">the rooftops</a> <a href="/hebrew/7339.htm" title="7339: ū·ḇir·ḥō·ḇō·ṯe·hā (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-mpc:: 3fs) -- A broad open place, plaza. Or rchowb; from rachab; a width, i.e. avenue or area.">and in the public squares</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kul·lōh (N-msc:: 3ms) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">they all</a> <a href="/hebrew/3213.htm" title="3213: yə·yê·lîl (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms) -- To howl, make a howling. A primitive root; to howl or yell.">wail,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: yō·rêḏ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To come or go down, descend. ">falling down</a> <a href="/hebrew/1065.htm" title="1065: bab·be·ḵî (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A weeping. From bakah; a weeping; by analogy, a dripping.">weeping.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Heshbon and Elealeh cry out; their voices are heard as far as Jahaz. Therefore the soldiers of Moab cry out; their souls tremble within.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/48-37.htm">Jeremiah 48:37-38</a></span><br />For every head is shaved and every beard is clipped; on every hand is a gash, and around every waist is sackcloth. / On all the rooftops of Moab and in the public squares, everyone is mourning; for I have shattered Moab like an unwanted jar,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/27-30.htm">Ezekiel 27:30-31</a></span><br />They will raise their voices for you and cry out bitterly. They will throw dust on their heads and roll in ashes. / They will shave their heads for you and wrap themselves in sackcloth. They will weep over you with anguish of soul and bitter mourning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/8-10.htm">Amos 8:10</a></span><br />I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation. I will cause everyone to wear sackcloth and every head to be shaved. I will make it like a time of mourning for an only son, and its outcome like a bitter day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-19.htm">Revelation 18:19</a></span><br />Then they will throw dust on their heads as they weep and mourn and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, where all who had ships on the sea were enriched by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been destroyed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/4-8.htm">Jeremiah 4:8</a></span><br />So put on sackcloth, mourn and wail, for the fierce anger of the LORD has not turned away from us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/1-8.htm">Micah 1:8</a></span><br />Because of this I will lament and wail; I will walk barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and mourn like an ostrich.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/2-10.htm">Lamentations 2:10</a></span><br />The elders of the Daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence. They have thrown dust on their heads and put on sackcloth. The young women of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-21.htm">Matthew 11:21</a></span><br />“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/1-13.htm">Joel 1:13</a></span><br />Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests; wail, O ministers of the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God, because the grain and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/1-11.htm">2 Samuel 1:11-12</a></span><br />Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same. / They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/2-12.htm">Job 2:12</a></span><br />When they lifted up their eyes from afar, they could barely recognize Job. They began to weep aloud, and each man tore his robe and threw dust in the air over his head.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/6-26.htm">Jeremiah 6:26</a></span><br />O daughter of my people, dress yourselves in sackcloth and roll in ashes. Mourn with bitter wailing, as you would for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/7-18.htm">Ezekiel 7:18</a></span><br />They will put on sackcloth, and terror will overwhelm them. Shame will cover all their faces, and all their heads will be shaved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-13.htm">Luke 10:13</a></span><br />Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/11-3.htm">Revelation 11:3</a></span><br />And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">their streets</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/3-31.htm">2 Samuel 3:31</a></b></br> And David said to Joab, and to all the people that <i>were</i> with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David <i>himself</i> followed the bier.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/6-30.htm">2 Kings 6:30</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, <i>he had</i> sackcloth within upon his flesh.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jonah/3-6.htm">Jonah 3:6-8</a></b></br> For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered <i>him</i> with sackcloth, and sat in ashes… </p><p class="hdg">on the</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/15-2.htm">Isaiah 15:2</a></b></br> 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 <i>shall be</i> baldness, <i>and</i> every beard cut off.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/22-1.htm">Isaiah 22:1</a></b></br> The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/22-8.htm">Deuteronomy 22:8</a></b></br> When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.</p><p class="hdg">weeping abundantly.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/15-5.htm">Isaiah 15:5</a></b></br> My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives <i>shall flee</i> 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.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/songs/5-1.htm">Abundantly</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-4.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/songs/3-2.htm">Broad</a> <a href="/songs/3-2.htm">Broadways</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-21.htm">Covering</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-21.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-31.htm">Dissolved</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-9.htm">Dress</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-9.htm">Gird</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-17.htm">Girded</a> <a href="/job/16-15.htm">Haircloth</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-22.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/psalms/129-6.htm">Housetops</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-2.htm">Howl</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-2.htm">Howleth</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-31.htm">Melted</a> <a href="/psalms/147-18.htm">Melts</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-26.htm">Out-Places</a> <a href="/isaiah/54-12.htm">Pinnacles</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-2.htm">Places</a> <a href="/isaiah/35-2.htm">Profusely</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-26.htm">Public</a> <a href="/psalms/129-6.htm">Roofs</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-24.htm">Sackcloth</a> <a href="/songs/3-2.htm">Squares</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-6.htm">Streets</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-1.htm">Tears</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-1.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-14.htm">Tops</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-2.htm">Waileth</a> <a href="/psalms/30-11.htm">Wailing</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-2.htm">Wails</a> <a href="/isaiah/4-1.htm">Wear</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-2.htm">Weeping</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/35-2.htm">Abundantly</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-3.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-23.htm">Broad</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-21.htm">Broadways</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-8.htm">Covering</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-4.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-19.htm">Dissolved</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-30.htm">Dress</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-11.htm">Gird</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-5.htm">Girded</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-1.htm">Haircloth</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-10.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-1.htm">Housetops</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-7.htm">Howl</a> <a href="/job/4-10.htm">Howleth</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-3.htm">Melted</a> <a href="/amos/9-5.htm">Melts</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-11.htm">Out-Places</a> <a href="/isaiah/54-12.htm">Pinnacles</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-9.htm">Places</a> <a href="/isaiah/35-2.htm">Profusely</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-12.htm">Public</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-1.htm">Roofs</a> <a href="/isaiah/20-2.htm">Sackcloth</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-14.htm">Squares</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-11.htm">Streets</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-9.htm">Tears</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-14.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-11.htm">Tops</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-2.htm">Waileth</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-8.htm">Wailing</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-36.htm">Wails</a> <a href="/isaiah/50-9.htm">Wear</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-5.htm">Weeping</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/15-1.htm">The lamentable state of Moab</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>In its streets they wear sackcloth;</b><br>Wearing sackcloth is a traditional expression of mourning and repentance in the Bible. It is often made from coarse goat's hair, symbolizing humility and distress. This practice is seen throughout the Old Testament, such as in <a href="/genesis/37-34.htm">Genesis 37:34</a> when Jacob mourns for Joseph. The use of sackcloth in the streets indicates a public display of grief, suggesting a communal or national calamity. In the context of <a href="/isaiah/15.htm">Isaiah 15</a>, this mourning is for the impending judgment on Moab, a neighboring nation of Israel.<p><b>on the rooftops and in the public squares</b><br>Rooftops in ancient Near Eastern cultures were flat and often used as additional living spaces. Public squares were central places for community gatherings and commerce. The mention of both locations highlights the widespread nature of the lamentation, affecting all aspects of daily life. This public mourning signifies the depth of the crisis, as both private and communal spaces are filled with expressions of sorrow. The rooftops and squares being filled with mourners also reflect the cultural practice of lamenting in visible, communal settings, as seen in <a href="/jeremiah/48-38.htm">Jeremiah 48:38</a>.<p><b>they all wail, falling down weeping.</b><br>The act of wailing and falling down weeping is a vivid depiction of intense grief and despair. This response is not just individual but collective, indicating a shared experience of suffering. The physical act of falling down weeping underscores the overwhelming nature of the sorrow, possibly due to the destruction and loss prophesied against Moab. This imagery is consistent with other biblical descriptions of lamentation, such as in <a href="/lamentations/2-10.htm">Lamentations 2:10</a>, where the elders of Zion sit on the ground in silence, wearing sackcloth and throwing dust on their heads. The communal aspect of this mourning can also be seen as a type of the ultimate sorrow and repentance that leads to redemption, a theme fulfilled in the New Testament through Christ's redemptive work.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab</a></b><br>A nation east of Israel, often in conflict with Israel. <a href="/bsb/isaiah/15.htm">Isaiah 15</a> is a prophecy concerning Moab's impending judgment and destruction.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/streets_and_public_squares.htm">Streets and Public Squares</a></b><br>These are the communal areas of Moab where public life and commerce occur, now turned into places of mourning.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/r/rooftops.htm">Rooftops</a></b><br>In ancient Near Eastern culture, rooftops were often used as additional living spaces. Here, they become places of lamentation.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/sackcloth.htm">Sackcloth</a></b><br>A coarse material worn as a sign of mourning and repentance, indicating deep sorrow and humility.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/w/weeping_and_wailing.htm">Weeping and Wailing</a></b><br>Expressions of intense grief and despair, reflecting the dire situation Moab faces.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_judgment.htm">The Reality of Judgment</a></b><br><a href="/isaiah/15-3.htm">Isaiah 15:3</a> serves as a sobering reminder of God's judgment on nations that turn away from Him. It calls us to reflect on our own lives and the state of our communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a></b><br>The wearing of sackcloth and the act of weeping signify a call to repentance. As believers, we are encouraged to examine our hearts and turn back to God in humility and contrition.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/public_expressions_of_grief.htm">Public Expressions of Grief</a></b><br>The public nature of Moab's mourning challenges us to consider how we express our own grief and repentance. Are we willing to be vulnerable and open about our need for God's mercy?<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The devastation described in <a href="/isaiah/15-3.htm">Isaiah 15:3</a> is a direct result of Moab's sin. This passage warns us of the serious consequences of living in rebellion against God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_lament.htm">Hope in Lament</a></b><br>While the passage is one of lament, it also points to the hope that comes through genuine repentance and turning back to God. Our mourning can lead to restoration if we seek Him earnestly.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_theological_paradoxes_make_sense.htm">How do paradoxes in theology (e.g., omnipotence vs. free will) make logical sense?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_emphasize_mourning_in_isaiah_15_2-3.htm">Why does the text emphasize mourning rituals in Isaiah 15:2-3 if the city's destruction was as instantaneous as indicated?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_evidence_of_isaiah_29_14's_claim.htm">Isaiah 29:14 proclaims a 'marvelous work' nullifying human wisdom; is there verifiable evidence or historical fulfillment supporting this claim?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_was_jesus'_ministry_for.htm">What was the purpose of Jesus' ministry?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">In their streets . . .</span>--The picture of lamentation is continued. The flat roofs of Eastern houses were a natural resort for such wailings (<a href="/isaiah/22-1.htm" title="The burden of the valley of vision. What ails you now, that you are wholly gone up to the housetops?">Isaiah 22:1</a>). The "broad places," the <span class= "ital">bazaars </span>or <span class= "ital">market-places, </span>were also, like the <span class= "ital">agora </span>of Greek cities, a natural place of concourse. The prophet represents them as filled with the sound of wailing.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">In their streets</span>; literally, <span class="accented">in his streets</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> the streets of Moab. <span class="cmt_word">They shall gird themselves with sackcloth</span>. Another widely spread custom, known to the Assyrians (<a href="/jonah/3-5.htm">Jonah 3:5</a>), the Syrians (<a href="/1_kings/20-31.htm">1 Kings 20:31</a>), the Persians (<a href="/esther/4-1.htm">Esther 4:1, 2</a>), the Israelites (<a href="/nehemiah/9-1.htm">Nehemiah 9:1</a>), and, as we see here, to the Moabites. The modern wearing of black garments, especially crape, is representative of the old practice. <span class="cmt_word">Every one shall howl</span>. "Howling" remains one of the chief tokens of mourning in the East. It was a practice of the Egyptians (Herod., 2:79), of the Persians (ibid., 8:99; 9:24), of the Babylonians (<a href="/jeremiah/51-8.htm">Jeremiah 51:8</a>), and probably of the Orientals generally. <span class="cmt_word">Weeping abundantly</span>; or, <span class="accented">running down with tears</span> (comp. <a href="/jeremiah/9-18.htm">Jeremiah 9:18</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/13-17.htm">Jeremiah 13:17</a>; Herod., 8:99). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/15-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">In its streets</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּחוּצֹתָ֖יו</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḥū·ṣō·ṯāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2351.htm">Strong's 2351: </a> </span><span class="str2">Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they wear</span><br /><span class="heb">חָ֣גְרוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·ḡə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2296.htm">Strong's 2296: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gird, gird on, gird oneself</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sackcloth;</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׂ֑ק</span> <span class="translit">(śāq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8242.htm">Strong's 8242: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mesh, coarse loose cloth, sacking, a bag</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַ֣ל</span> <span class="translit">(‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the rooftops</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּגּוֹתֶ֧יהָ</span> <span class="translit">(gag·gō·w·ṯe·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1406.htm">Strong's 1406: </a> </span><span class="str2">A roof, the top of an altar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and in the public squares</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבִרְחֹבֹתֶ֛יהָ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇir·ḥō·ḇō·ṯe·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7339.htm">Strong's 7339: </a> </span><span class="str2">A broad open place, plaza</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they all</span><br /><span class="heb">כֻּלֹּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(kul·lōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wail,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְיֵלִ֖יל</span> <span class="translit">(yə·yê·lîl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3213.htm">Strong's 3213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To howl, make a howling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">falling down</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹרֵ֥ד</span> <span class="translit">(yō·rêḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come or go down, descend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">weeping.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּבֶּֽכִי׃</span> <span class="translit">(bab·be·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1065.htm">Strong's 1065: </a> </span><span class="str2">A weeping, a dripping</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/15-3.htm">Isaiah 15:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/15-3.htm">Isaiah 15:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/15-3.htm">Isaiah 15:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/15-3.htm">Isaiah 15:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/15-3.htm">Isaiah 15:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/15-3.htm">Isaiah 15:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/15-3.htm">Isaiah 15:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/15-3.htm">Isaiah 15:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/15-3.htm">Isaiah 15:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/15-3.htm">Isaiah 15:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/15-3.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 15:3 In their streets they dress themselves (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/15-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 15:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 15:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/15-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 15:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 15:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>