Isaiah 15:5

My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitiues shall flee vnto Zoar, an heifer of three yeeres olde: for by the mounting vp of Luhith with weeping shall they goe it vp: for in the way of Horonaim, they shall raise vp a crie of destruction. Isaiah 15:5 (KJV)

shall flee

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. Isaiah 15:5 (KJV)

Isaiah 15 is a chapter that contains an oracle or prophecy concerning Moab, a nation located east of Israel. The chapter announces judgment against Moab and sets the tone for the lament found in verse 5.

In verse 5 the prophet declares, “My heart shall cry out for Moab,” expressing a deep lament for the coming hardship that will befall the Moabite people. This cry reveals Isaiah’s compassion and the seriousness of the impending disaster.

The verse continues that “his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar.” Zoar was a city on the southeastern edge of Moab, near the plain of Jordan, and served as a place of refuge for those escaping destruction. The description underscores the desperation of the Moabites as they seek any sanctuary.

The phrase “an heifer of three years old” has been understood in several ways. Some translations view it as a literal three‑year‑old heifer, a mature animal suitable for sacrifice, symbolizing the loss that Moab will suffer. Other scholarship identifies the wording as a mistranslation of the proper name Eglath‑shelishiyah, a Moabite town. Both explanations convey the gravity of the situation.

The “mounting up of Luhith with weeping” portrays an arduous ascent of the mountain Luhith, accompanied by sorrowful cries. The image of climbing a height while weeping emphasizes the painful journey the refugees must endure as they leave their homes.

Finally, the verse says that “in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction.” Horonaim was another Moabite city, and the raised cry signals the devastation that will be witnessed along that route, reinforcing the theme of judgment.

Overall, Isaiah 15:5 portrays the looming calamity that will befall Moab and the prophet’s heartfelt lament. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and points the reader toward the need for repentance and reliance on God’s refuge.