Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 16:2
For it shall be, [that], as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, [so] the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.
2. The verse gives no good sense in its present position. Not only does it obscure the connexion between Isa 16:1 and Isa 16:3, but its language of prediction reveals an affinity with Isa 15:9. It has probably been misplaced (so Duhm), and the fact that the Moabites are represented as at “the fords of Arnon,” instead of in Edom, confirms the impression that we have here an addition to the original prophecy. The images of the wandering birds and the scattered nest (render as in R.V.) remind us of Isaiah (ch. Isa 10:14, Isa 31:5). The daughters of Moab are the provincial towns of Moab, or their inhabitants (cf. Psa 48:11).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
For it shall be – It shall happen in the time of the calamity that shall come upon Moab.
As a wandering bird – (See Isa 10:14.) The same idea is presented in Pro 27:8 :
As a bird that wanders from her nest,
So is a man that wandereth from his place.
The idea here is that of a bird driven away from her nest, where the nest is destroyed, and the young fly about without any home or place of rest. So would Moab be when the inhabitants were driven from their dwellings. The reason why this is introduced seems to be, to enforce what the prophet had said in the previous verse – the duty of paying the usual tribute to the Jews, and seeking their protection. The time is coming, says the prophet, when the Moabites shall be driven from their homes, and when they will need that protection which they can obtain by paying the usual tribute to the Jews.
The daughters of Moab – The females shall be driven from their homes, and shall wander about, and endeavor to flee from the invasion which has come upon the land. By the apprehension, therefore, that their wives and daughters would be exposed to this danger, the prophet calls upon the Moabites to secure the protection of the king of Judah.
At the fords of Arnon – Arnon was the northern boundary of the land of Moab. They would endeavor to cross that river, and thus flee from the land, and escape the desolations that were coming upon it. The river Arnon, now called Mujeb, flows in a deep, frightfully wild, and rocky vale of the same name Num 21:15; Deu 2:24; Deu 3:9, in a narrow bed, and forms at this time the boundary between the provinces of Belka and Karrak (Seetzen). Bridges were not common in the times here referred to; and, indeed, permanent bridges among the ancients were things almost unknown. Hence, they selected the places where the streams were most shallow and gentle, as the usual places of crossing.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Isa 16:2
As a wandering bird, cast out of the nest
The unrest of the sinner
The picture represents the distress and bewilderment of the wrong-doer.
He does not know whether to go back to the old door and knock at it in the hope that it may be opened to him again by some kindly hand, or to flee away into the land of darkness and silence. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. (J. Parker, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
For; or, otherwise, as this particle is sometimes used; if you do not follow my advice.
As a wandering bird cast out of the nest; which knows not whither to go, nor what to do.
At the fords of Arnon; which was the border of the land of Moab, where they were, either being carried that way into captivity, or rather with design to flee out of their own land, although they knew not whither, as the foregoing metaphor showeth.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. cast out of . . . nestrather,”as a brood cast out” (in apposition with “awandering bird,” or rather, wandering birds), namely, abrood just fledged and expelled from the nest in which they werehatched [HORSLEY]. CompareIsa 10:14; Deu 32:11.
daughters of Moabthatis, the inhabitants of Moab. So 2Ki 19:21;Psa 48:11; Jer 46:11;Lam 4:22 [MAURER].
at the fordstrying tocross the boundary river of Moab, in order to escape out of the land.EWALD and MAURERmake “fords” a poetical expression for “thedwellers on Arnon,” answering to the parallel clause of thesame sense, “daughters of Moab.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For it shall be,…. Or, “otherwise it shall be” z; if ye do not pay this tribute:
[that] as a wandering bird cast out of the nest: or, “as a wandering bird, the nest sent out”: that is, as a bird that has forsaken its nest, and wanders about, and its young ones are turned out of the nest, scarcely fledged, and unable to shift for themselves, but flutter about here and there, trembling and frightened, see Pr 26:2:
[so] the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon: turned out of their houses, wandering up and down, not knowing where to go; unable to help themselves, and in the utmost fright and consternation, fleeing to the very borders of their land, as the fords of Arnon were, see Nu 21:13.
z “alioqui”, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The advice does not remain without effect, but they embrace it eagerly. ”And the daughters of Moab will be like birds fluttering about, a scared nest, at the fords of the Arnon.” “The daughters of Moab,” like “the daughters of Judah,” for example, in Psa 48:12, are the inhabitants of the cities and villages of the land of Moab. They were already like birds soaring about (Pro 27:8), because of their flight from their own land; but here, as we may see from the expression … , the simile is intended to depict the condition into which they would be thrown by the prophet’s advice. The figure (cf., Isa 10:14) as well as the expression (cf., Isa 17:2) is thoroughly Isaiah’s. It is a state of anxious and timid indecision, resembling the fluttering to and fro of birds, that have been driven away from their nest, and wheel anxiously round and round, without daring to return to their old home. In this way the daughters of Moab, coming out of their hiding-places, whether nearer or more remote, show themselves at the fords of the Arnon, that is to say, on the very soil of their old home, which was situated between the Arnon and Wady el-Ahsa, and which was now devastated by the hand of a foe. we should regard as in apposition to b e noth Moab (the daughters of Moab), if m abaroth signifies the coast-lands (like ebre in Isa 7:20), and not, as it invariably does, the fords. It is locative in its meaning, and is so accentuated.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
2. It shall be as a bird let loose. (251) The Prophet now shows what he meant by the former mockery, that the Moabites ought not at that time to think of sending sacrifices, because they will not be able to provide for their safety in any other way than by leaving their native country. By the metaphor of birds he describes the terror with which they shall be struck, so that they will flee even at the rustling of a leaf. He threatens that the Moabites, who had abused their tranquillity, shall have a trembling and wearisome flight.
(251) Bogus footnote
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(2) As a wandering bird cast out of the nest.Better as in the margin, a forsaken nest. The daughters of Moab either literally, the women driven from their homes, or figuratively (as in Isa. 16:1) the whole population of its towns and villages, are represented as fluttering in terror, like birds whose nests are spoiled (comp. Isa. 10:14), like the fledglings in the nest, on the fords of Arnon, uncertain whether to return to their old homes or to cross into a strange land. The imagery reminds us of Psa. 11:1, Pro. 27:8, so also of sch. Agam. 49-52.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2, 3. For Not for, but and, it shall be If they comply, then this shall follow: that, as a wandering bird cast nest Moab must acquire favour from Israel or Judah right early, (Isa 16:1,) for soon she would stand a restless fugitive on the borders of the latter, and implore protection. Fugitives, here, are compared to fluttering birds, routed from their nests, and left in timid indecision.
Daughters of Moab Usually, and especially as applied to Judah, Babylon. etc., the word “daughters” of a place are the inhabitants of the place. But here the women seem to be the suppliants. They stand at the ford of Arnon, the ancient border of Moab. Num 21:13. The exhortation to them is,
Take counsel Apply counsel given by the prophet.
Execute judgment Rather, decision. Decide at once to pass the stream. No delay is admissible. Flee for help to the mount in Jerusalem, Mount Zion.
Shadow as the night Seek protection from divine wrath, such as the shadow of night is, from enemies. Let the Lord be thy shadow and pavilion, and be secure as much in noonday as in the night.
Hide the outcasts In turn make secure the exiles from Judah in your midst. Often had Moab been such a refuge.
Bewray not Reveal not the place of the persecuted exile.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Isa 16:2 For it shall be, [that], as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, [so] the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.
Ver. 2. For it shall be, that, as a wandering bird, &c. ] Or, Otherwise it shall be that as, a &c., i.e., except ye do as I have advised you, Isa 16:1 a double mischief shall befall you. (1.) Dissipation, as a wandering bird, &c.; (2.) Deportation, at the fords of Arnon, where ye shall be carried captive.
As a wandering bird.
a Alioqui fiet. – Jun.
cast out, &c. = a forsaken nest.
be = become.
as: Isa 13:14, Pro 27:8
cast out of the nest: or, a nest forsaken
the fords: Num 21:13-15, Deu 2:36, Deu 3:8, Deu 3:12, Jos 13:16, Jdg 11:18
Reciprocal: Num 22:36 – the border Jos 12:1 – from the Psa 109:10 – General Jer 48:9 – wings Jer 48:12 – wanderers Jer 48:20 – Arnon Mic 1:11 – Pass
16:2 For it shall be, [that], as a {b} wandering bird cast out of the nest, [so] the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.
(b) There is no remedy but that you must flee.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes