Text -- Isaiah 16:1-3 (NET)

16:1 Send rams as tribute to the ruler of the land, from Sela in the desert to the hill of Daughter Zion. 16:2 At the fords of the Arnon the Moabite women are like a bird that flies about when forced from its nest. 16:3 “Bring a plan, make a decision! Provide some shade in the middle of the day! Hide the fugitives! Do not betray the one who tries to escape!

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Isa 16:1

¹ tc The Hebrew text reads literally, “Send [a plural imperatival form is used] a ram [to] the ruler of the land.” The term כַּר (kar, “ram”) should be emended to the plural כָּרִים (karim). The singular form in the text is probably the result of haplography; note that the next word begins with a mem (מ).

² tn The Hebrew text has “toward [across?] the desert.”

NET Notes: Isa 16:2

¹ tn The verb that introduces this verse serves as a discourse particle and is untranslated; see note on “in the future” in 2:2.

² tn Heb “like a bird fleeing, thrust away [from] a nest, the daughters of Moab are [at] the fords of Arnon.”

NET Notes: Isa 16:3

¹ sn It is unclear who is being addressed in this verse. Perhaps the prophet, playing the role of a panic stricken Moabite refugee, requests the leaders of Judah (the imperatives are plural) to take pity on the fugitives.

² tn Heb “Make your shade like night in the midst of noonday.” “Shade” here symbolizes shelter, while the heat of noonday represents the intense suffering of the Moabites. By comparing the desired shade to night, the speaker visualizes a huge dark shadow cast by a large tree that would provide relief from the sun’s heat.

³ tn Heb “disclose, uncover.”