Isaiah 15 — Dead Sea Scrolls
9 verses • 4 variants • Columns XIII–XIV of 1QIsaiah-a
Scroll Overview
Summary
Chapter 15 begins the oracle against Moab (continuing through ch. 16). The 9 verses catalog the destruction of Moabite cities with vivid lamentation imagery. 1QIsaiah-a preserves this chapter with primarily orthographic variants, especially in the Moabite place names.
Notable Variants
Several place names show minor spelling differences. Verse 9 has a notable variant where 1QIsaiah-a reads דימון (Dimon) consistently, matching the MT's wordplay on dam (blood).
Scroll Condition
Well preserved; fully legible.
The oracle concerning Moab: Because in a single night Ar of Moab is devastated — destroyed! Because in a single night Kir of Moab is devastated — destroyed!
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIII, line 14
He goes up to the temple — and Dibon to the high places — to weep. Over Nebo and over Medeba, Moab wails. Every head is shaved bald; every beard is cut off.
Masoretic (WLC)
הַבַּיִת
the house/temple
Dead Sea Scroll
הבית
the house/temple
1QIsaiah-a writes הבית without the yod-yod of the MT's vocalized form. The reading is the same: Moab goes up to the house/temple to weep. No impact on meaning.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIII, line 15
In her streets they put on sackcloth; on her rooftops and in her squares everyone wails, collapsing in tears.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIII, line 16
Heshbon and Elealeh cry out; their voice is heard as far as Jahaz. Therefore the soldiers of Moab tremble; their courage fails them.
Masoretic (WLC)
חֶשְׁבּוֹן
Heshbon
Dead Sea Scroll
חשבון
Heshbon
Identical consonantal text for the city name Heshbon. No impact on meaning.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIII, line 17
My heart cries out for Moab! Her fugitives flee to Zoar, to Eglath-shelishiyah. Up the ascent of Luhith they go weeping; on the road to Horonaim they raise a cry of anguish.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIII, line 18
For the waters of Nimrim are desolate; the grass is withered, the vegetation is gone, nothing green remains.
Masoretic (WLC)
נִמְרִים
Nimrim
Dead Sea Scroll
נמרים
Nimrim
Identical consonantal text. The waters of Nimrim are desolate in both traditions. No impact on meaning.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIII, line 19
Therefore the wealth they have stored, their accumulated goods, they carry away across the Wadi of the Willows.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIV, line 1
For the cry of anguish encircles the borders of Moab; her wailing reaches Eglaim; her wailing reaches Beer-elim.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIV, line 2
For the waters of Dimon are full of blood, and I will bring still more upon Dimon: a lion for the survivors of Moab, for the remnant of the land.
Masoretic (WLC)
דִּימוֹן
Dimon
Dead Sea Scroll
דימון
Dimon
Both texts read דימון (Dimon) rather than the actual city name Dibon. This is a deliberate wordplay on dam (דם, 'blood'): 'The waters of Dimon are full of blood.' The consistent spelling in 1QIsaiah-a confirms this was understood as intentional paronomasia, not a scribal error.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIV, line 3