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Isaiah 15 · a question people ask

Does the chapter say why Moab is laid waste?

In the text

No. Chapter 15 tells of the ruin and the mourning, and it gives no reason and names no attacker. It says only that the ruin came "in a night" (15:1), and in its last verse, "I will bring yet more on Dimon" (15:9). The next chapter speaks of a reason: "We have heard of the pride of Moab, that he is very proud; even of his arrogance, his pride, and his wrath" (Isaiah 16:6), and the chapter on Isaiah 16 takes it up. These notes read chapter 15 as it stands, add no history of Moab from outside the Bible, and apply nothing in it to any nation, people or place today.

The verses

“The burden of Moab. For in a night, Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to nothing. For in a night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to nothing.”
Isaiah 15:1 · World English Bible
“For the waters of Dimon are full of blood; for I will bring yet more on Dimon, a lion on those of Moab who escape, and on the remnant of the land.”
Isaiah 15:9 · World English Bible
“We have heard of the pride of Moab, that he is very proud; even of his arrogance, his pride, and his wrath. His boastings are nothing.”
Isaiah 16:6 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Isaiah 15

Isaiah 15: The burden of Moab

Isaiah's "I am undone" (6:5) is the very verb of Ar and Kir "brought to nothing" (15:1). And in a burden spoken over Moab, the heart that speaks cries out with the same verb as Moab's own towns: "Heshbon cries out" (15:4), "My heart cries out for Moab!" (15:5).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions