Isaiah 16 — Dead Sea Scrolls
14 verses • 5 variants • Column XIV of 1QIsaiah-a
Scroll Overview
Summary
Chapter 16 continues the Moab oracle with appeals for Judahite shelter and concluding prophecy of Moab's devastation. The 14 verses show mostly orthographic variants. The chapter's emotional pathos — Isaiah weeping for Moab — is preserved identically in both traditions.
Notable Variants
Verse 1 has a minor variant in the imperative form. Verse 8 has an orthographic difference in a place name. The famous lament in verse 11 is identical in both texts.
Scroll Condition
Well preserved; fully legible.
Send lambs to the ruler of the land, from Sela through the desert to the mount of Daughter Zion.
Masoretic (WLC)
שִׁלְחוּ
send
Dead Sea Scroll
שלחו
send
Identical consonantal text. The imperative to send the lamb to the ruler is preserved identically. No impact on meaning.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIV, line 4
Like a fluttering bird, a nest sent scattering, so are the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIV, line 5
Bring counsel! Render a decision! Make your shade like night in the glare of noon. Hide the outcasts; do not betray the fugitive.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIV, line 6
Let the outcasts of Moab dwell with you; be a shelter for them from the destroyer. For the oppressor will come to an end, the destruction will cease, the trampler will vanish from the land.
Masoretic (WLC)
אֲשִׁישֵׁי
raisin-cakes of
Dead Sea Scroll
אשישי
raisin-cakes of
Identical consonantal text. The mourning for Kir-hareseth's raisin-cakes — a luxury food associated with cultic celebrations — is preserved identically. No impact on meaning.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIV, line 7
Then a throne will be established in covenant loyalty, and on it will sit in faithfulness, in the booth of David, one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIV, line 8
We have heard of the pride of Moab — how very proud he is! — his arrogance, his pride, his insolence. His empty boasts amount to nothing.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIV, line 9
Therefore Moab wails for Moab — all of it wails! For the raisin cakes of Kir-hareseth you moan, utterly stricken.
Masoretic (WLC)
יְהֶגֶּה
will moan
Dead Sea Scroll
יהגה
will moan
Identical consonantal text. Moab will moan for Moab — the repeated name emphasizing totality of grief. No impact on meaning.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIV, line 10
For the terraced fields of Heshbon wither, the vine of Sibmah — whose choice branches struck down the lords of nations. They reached as far as Jazer, they wandered into the desert; her shoots spread out and crossed the sea.
Masoretic (WLC)
שַׁדְמוֹת
terraces of
Dead Sea Scroll
שדמות
terraces of
1QIsaiah-a writes שדמות identically in consonantal form. The vine of Sibmah whose branches spread abroad is described in the same terms. The lush agricultural imagery of Moab's destruction is preserved in both traditions.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIV, line 11
Therefore I weep with the weeping of Jazer for the vine of Sibmah. I drench you with my tears, Heshbon and Elealeh! For over your summer fruit and your harvest the battle cry has fallen.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIV, line 12
Joy and gladness are gathered away from the orchards; in the vineyards no one sings, no one shouts. No treader treads out wine in the presses. I have silenced the vintage shout.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIV, line 13
Therefore my inner being moans like a lyre for Moab, my inmost self for Kir-heres.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIV, line 14
And when Moab appears, when he wears himself out on the high place and comes to his sanctuary to pray, he will not prevail.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIV, line 15
This is the word that the LORD spoke concerning Moab long ago.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIV, line 16
But now the LORD has spoken: 'Within three years — counted like the years of a hired laborer — the glory of Moab will be brought into contempt, with all its great multitude. And the remnant will be very few, small and without strength.'
Masoretic (WLC)
שָׁלֹשׁ
three
Dead Sea Scroll
שלוש
three
1QIsaiah-a writes שלוש with plene spelling for the number 'three' (years). The prophecy that within three years Moab's glory will be diminished is stated identically in both traditions. The plene spelling is standard Qumran orthography for numerals.
1QIsaᵃ col. XIV, line 17