Isaiah 16:13
New International Version
This is the word the LORD has already spoken concerning Moab.

New Living Translation
The LORD has already said these things about Moab in the past.

English Standard Version
This is the word that the LORD spoke concerning Moab in the past.

Berean Standard Bible
This is the message that the LORD spoke earlier concerning Moab.

Berean Literal Bible
This is the word that YHWH has spoken to Moab from that time;

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

New King James Version
This is the word which the LORD has spoken concerning Moab since that time.

New American Standard Bible
This is the word which the LORD spoke earlier concerning Moab.

NASB 1995
This is the word which the LORD spoke earlier concerning Moab.

NASB 1977
This is the word which the LORD spoke earlier concerning Moab.

Legacy Standard Bible
This is the word which Yahweh spoke earlier concerning Moab.

Amplified Bible
This is the word which the LORD spoke earlier concerning Moab [when Moab’s pride and resistance to God were first known].

Berean Annotated Bible
This is the message that the LORD {YHWH} spoke earlier concerning Moab (of his father).

Christian Standard Bible
This is the message that the LORD previously announced about Moab.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is the message that the LORD previously announced about Moab.

American Standard Version
This is the word that Jehovah spake concerning Moab in time past.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD has already said all of this about Moab.

English Revised Version
This is the word that the LORD spake concerning Moab in time past.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is the message that the LORD spoke about Moab in the past.

Good News Translation
That is the message the LORD gave earlier about Moab.

International Standard Version
This was the message that the LORD spoke concerning Moab in the past.

NET Bible
This is the message the LORD previously announced about Moab.

New Heart English Bible
This is the word that the LORD spoke concerning Moab in time past.

Webster's Bible Translation
This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning Moab since that time.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
This is the message that the LORD spoke earlier concerning Moab.

World English Bible
This is the word that Yahweh spoke concerning Moab in time past.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
This [is] the word that YHWH has spoken to Moab from that time,

Berean Literal Bible
This is the word that YHWH has spoken to Moab from that time;

Young's Literal Translation
This is the word that Jehovah hath spoken unto Moab from that time,

Smith's Literal Translation
This the word which Jehovah spake to Moab from that time.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
This is the word, that the Lord spoke to Moab from that time:

Catholic Public Domain Version
This is the word that the Lord has spoken to Moab concerning that time.

New American Bible
That is the word the LORD spoke against Moab in times past.

New Revised Standard Version
This was the word that the LORD spoke concerning Moab in the past.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
This is the word that the LORD has spoken concerning Moab since that time.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
This statement LORD JEHOVAH has spoken about Moab since then
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
This is the word that the LORD spoke concerning Moab in time past.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
This is the word which the Lord spoke against Moab, when he spoke.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Prophecy of Moab's Devastation
12When Moab appears on the high place, when he wearies himself and enters his sanctuary to pray, it will do him no good. 13This is the message that the LORD spoke earlier concerning Moab. 14And now the LORD says, “In three years, as a hired worker counts the years, Moab’s splendor will become an object of contempt, with all her many people. And those who are left will be few and feeble.”…

Cross References
This is the message

Malachi 1:1
This is the burden of the word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi:

Nahum 1:1
This is the burden against Nineveh, the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite:

Habakkuk 1:1
This is the burden that Habakkuk the prophet received in a vision:
that the LORD spoke

Jeremiah 36:2
“Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah, and all the nations, from the day I first spoke to you during the reign of Josiah until today.

2 Kings 17:13
Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.”
earlier

Isaiah 48:3
I foretold the former things long ago; they came out of My mouth and I proclaimed them. Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.

Jeremiah 28:8
The prophets of old who preceded you and me prophesied war, disaster, and plague against many lands and great kingdoms.
concerning Moab.

Jeremiah 48:1
Concerning Moab, this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Woe to Nebo, for it will be devastated. Kiriathaim will be captured and disgraced; the fortress will be shattered and dismantled.

Isaiah 15:1
This is the burden against Moab: Ar in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night! Kir in Moab is devastated, destroyed in a night!

Zephaniah 2:8-9
“I have heard the reproach of Moab and the insults of the Ammonites, who have taunted My people and threatened their borders. / Therefore, as surely as I live,” declares the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, “surely Moab will be like Sodom and the Ammonites like Gomorrah—a place of weeds and salt pits, a perpetual wasteland. The remnant of My people will plunder them; the remainder of My nation will dispossess them.”
Amos 2:1-3
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Moab, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he burned to lime the bones of Edom’s king. / So I will send fire against Moab to consume the citadels of Kerioth. Moab will die in tumult, amid war cries and the sound of the ram’s horn. / I will cut off the ruler of Moab and kill all the officials with him,” says the LORD.

Ezekiel 25:8-11
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because Moab and Seir said, “Look, the house of Judah is like all the other nations,” / therefore I will indeed expose the flank of Moab beginning with its frontier cities—Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim—the glory of the land. / I will give it along with the Ammonites as a possession to the people of the East, so that the Ammonites will no longer be remembered among the nations. …

Numbers 21:27-30
That is why the poets say: “Come to Heshbon, let it be rebuilt; let the city of Sihon be restored. / For a fire went out from Heshbon, a blaze from the city of Sihon. It consumed Ar of Moab, the rulers of Arnon’s heights. / Woe to you, O Moab! You are destroyed, O people of Chemosh! He gave up his sons as refugees, and his daughters into captivity to Sihon king of the Amorites. …

2 Kings 3:4-27
Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he would render to the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams. / But after the death of Ahab, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel. / So at that time King Jehoram set out from Samaria and mobilized all Israel. …

Jeremiah 9:25-26
“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh— / Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab, and all the inhabitants of the desert who clip the hair of their temples. For all these nations are uncircumcised, and the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart.”

Psalm 60:8
Moab is My washbasin; upon Edom I toss My sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

since

Isaiah 44:8
Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.

Jump to Previous
Already Earlier Moab Past Time Word
Jump to Next
Already Earlier Moab Past Time Word
Isaiah 16
1. Moab is exhorted to yield obedience to the throne of David
6. Moab is threatened for her pride
9. The prophet bewails her
12. The judgment of Moab












This is the message
This phrase introduces a prophetic declaration, indicating a divine communication. In the context of biblical prophecy, a "message" often refers to a revelation from God delivered through a prophet. Prophets served as God's mouthpieces, conveying His will and intentions to the people.

that the LORD spoke
The use of "LORD" in all capital letters signifies the Hebrew name Yahweh, the covenant name of God. This emphasizes the authority and divine origin of the message. The phrase underscores that the prophecy is not of human origin but is a direct communication from God, highlighting the seriousness and certainty of the message.

earlier
This indicates that the message was previously given, suggesting continuity and consistency in God's communication. It implies that the prophecy concerning Moab is not new but a reiteration or reminder of what has already been declared. This can be seen as a testament to God's unchanging nature and His faithfulness to His word.

concerning Moab
Moab was a neighboring nation to Israel, located east of the Dead Sea. Historically, Moab had a complex relationship with Israel, often characterized by conflict and tension. The Moabites were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew, which adds a familial dimension to their interactions with Israel. In biblical prophecy, Moab often symbolizes pride and opposition to God's people. The mention of Moab here connects to earlier prophecies in Isaiah and other books, such as Jeremiah and Ezekiel, where Moab's judgment is pronounced due to their arrogance and idolatry.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Isaiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book that bears his name. He served as a prophet in Judah and delivered messages from God concerning both judgment and redemption.

2. Moab
An ancient kingdom located east of the Dead Sea, Moab was often in conflict with Israel. The Moabites were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew, and had a complicated relationship with the Israelites.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God used in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing His eternal existence and faithfulness to His promises.

4. Prophecy
The context of Isaiah 16:13 involves a prophecy concerning the fate of Moab, which had been previously declared by God through Isaiah.

5. Judgment
The broader context of Isaiah 16 includes themes of judgment against Moab for their pride and idolatry, as well as a call for repentance.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Judgment
God's pronouncements against nations like Moab remind us of His ultimate authority over all nations and peoples. His judgments are just and serve His divine purposes.

The Consequences of Pride
Moab's downfall is attributed to their pride and self-reliance. This serves as a warning to us about the dangers of pride and the importance of humility before God.

The Certainty of God's Word
The phrase "the word that the LORD has already spoken" emphasizes the reliability and certainty of God's promises and warnings. We can trust that what God has declared will come to pass.

Repentance and Restoration
While the prophecy against Moab is one of judgment, it also implies the possibility of repentance and restoration. God's desire is for nations and individuals to turn back to Him.

The Role of Prophecy in Scripture
Prophecies like those in Isaiah serve to reveal God's character, His plans for humanity, and His call to righteousness. They encourage us to live in alignment with His will.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 16:13?

2. How does Isaiah 16:13 demonstrate God's sovereignty over nations and their plans?

3. What lessons can we learn about God's timing from Isaiah 16:13?

4. How does Isaiah 16:13 connect with God's promises in other prophetic books?

5. How should Isaiah 16:13 influence our trust in God's ultimate plan?

6. How can Isaiah 16:13 guide us in praying for current world events?

7. What historical events does Isaiah 16:13 refer to, and are they supported by archaeological evidence?

8. How does Isaiah 16:13 fit into the broader theme of prophecy in the Book of Isaiah?

9. What is the theological significance of Isaiah 16:13 in understanding God's judgment?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 16?

11. Isaiah 29:13 accuses people of insincere worship by human tradition; does this contradict other passages that stress genuine, heartfelt devotion?

12. In Isaiah 25:2, which specific 'fortified city' is being referenced, and what archaeological evidence supports or contradicts its complete destruction?

13. In Revelation 19:13, why would a divine figure be covered in blood if redemption was already achieved at the cross?

14. What is the message of the NRSV Bible?
What Does Isaiah 16:13 Mean
This is the message

– Isaiah pauses to mark the close of a prophecy and the start of a short reflection on it, drawing the listeners’ attention to what has already been laid out in Isaiah 15:1–16:12.

– By saying “this,” he points to a specific, complete oracle rather than a vague impression—just as other prophets identify distinct burdens (Isaiah 13:1; Nahum 1:1).

– The focus on a single, cohesive “message” underlines the unity of God’s word: His counsel is not fragmented or contradictory (Psalm 12:6; James 1:17).


that the LORD spoke

– The authority behind every prophetic utterance is the LORD Himself, not Isaiah’s private insight (2 Peter 1:21; Amos 3:7).

– Because the same LORD who promises redemption also pronounces judgment, the oracle carries absolute certainty (Numbers 23:19; Isaiah 46:9-10).

– When God speaks, what He says is as sure as if it were already accomplished (Isaiah 55:10-11; Matthew 24:35).


earlier concerning Moab

– “Earlier” shows that God had already delivered this warning; He is now reminding the people that His timeline may differ from theirs, but His word still stands (Habakkuk 2:3).

– Moab, Israel’s neighbor and frequent antagonist (Numbers 22–24; Judges 3:12-30), receives a measured judgment: God tracks national pride and cruelty just as He does individual sin (Jeremiah 48:29-30; Obadiah 1:3-4).

– By revisiting a prior word, God highlights two truths:

• He is patient, giving Moab time to repent (2 Peter 3:9; Isaiah 16:5).

• Repetition does not dilute judgment; it intensifies certainty (Genesis 41:32).

– The phrase prepares readers for verse 14, where the timing of Moab’s collapse is narrowed to “three years,” demonstrating that God’s long-announced warnings eventually reach a fixed date (Isaiah 37:26; Daniel 9:25-26).


summary

Isaiah 16:13 serves as a hinge between a detailed prophecy against Moab (15:1–16:12) and the precise deadline given in 16:14. The verse affirms that the solemn warning about Moab’s downfall is not new guesswork but the unchanged, authoritative word the LORD had already spoken. By stressing that God Himself issued the message “earlier,” Isaiah underscores the reliability, patience, and eventual fulfillment of divine judgment.

(13) Since that time.--The phrase is used of an indefinite past, like our "of yore," or "of old time." It is variously translated by "hitherto" (2Samuel 15:34), "from the beginning" (Isaiah 48:3; Isaiah 48:5; Isaiah 48:7). It seems to imply that thus far Isaiah had been in part reproducing the "burden" of an older prophet, or of one given to him to deliver at an earlier date.

Verse 13. - This is the word, etc. The third and concluding section begins here. This prophecy, Isaiah says, is one, not now delivered for the first time, but existent previously. How long previously, he leaves quite vague.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This
זֶ֣ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

is the message
הַדָּבָ֗ר (had·dā·ḇār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

that
אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the LORD
יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

spoke
דִּבֶּ֧ר (dib·ber)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

earlier
מֵאָֽז׃ (mê·’āz)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 227: At that time, place, therefore

concerning
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Moab.
מוֹאָ֖ב (mō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4124: Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 16:13 This is the word that Yahweh spoke (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 16:12
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