What does Isaiah 16:14 mean?

"But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble." - Isaiah 16:14

"But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble." - Isaiah 16:14

The Bible verse Isaiah 16:14 in the King James Version (KJV) reads, "But now the Lord hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble."

This verse comes from the book of Isaiah, which is attributed to the Prophet Isaiah, who lived in the 8th century BCE. The book of Isaiah is one of the Major Prophets in the Old Testament and is known for its oracles of judgment and salvation. In the larger context of the book, this verse is part of a series of oracles against the surrounding nations, including Moab.

In this particular verse, the Lord has spoken a message of judgment against Moab. The use of the term "hireling" to describe the passing of years suggests a sense of quick passing, as the years of a hired worker are brief and transient. This imagery is used to convey the swiftness and certainty of the divine judgment that is to come upon Moab.

The "glory of Moab" is to be "contemned," meaning it will be despised and rejected. This can be understood as a punishment for the pride and arrogance of Moab. The "great multitude" of Moab will be reduced to a "very small and feeble" remnant. This image of a once proud and powerful nation being brought low and humbled reflects a common theme in the prophetic literature of the Bible, where the mighty are brought low and the oppressed are lifted up by the justice of God.

From a thematic perspective, this verse is part of the larger theme of judgment and salvation that runs throughout the book of Isaiah. The prophets often proclaimed messages of judgment against the nations for their sins and injustices, but they also offered hope for redemption and restoration for those who turned to God in repentance.

The context of this verse is also important for understanding its significance. At the time of Isaiah, Moab was a neighboring kingdom to Judah, and the two nations had a complex and often hostile relationship. The oracle against Moab would have been both a warning to Judah's enemies and a reminder to Judah of the consequences of turning away from God.

In addition to its historical and prophetic context, this verse also contains symbolic and metaphorical elements. The downfall of Moab can be seen as a symbol of the ultimate fate of all those who oppose God. The image of a once mighty nation reduced to a remnant also serves as a warning to those who are prideful and arrogant, reminding them of the fleeting nature of human power and glory.

Furthermore, the imagery of the "hireling" and the passing of years serves as a reminder of the brevity of human life and the transience of earthly power and wealth. This theme of the fleeting nature of human existence is a common motif in the Bible, and it serves as a call to focus on eternal values and the will of God rather than the temporary pursuits of this world.

In conclusion, Isaiah 16:14 in the King James Version is a powerful and evocative verse that conveys a message of judgment and warning to the nation of Moab. Through its use of imagery, symbolism, and thematic resonance, this verse speaks to the universal human experience of pride, downfall, and the need for repentance and redemption. It is a potent reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the ultimate futility of human pride and power.

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Isaiah 16:14 - "But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble."

Isaiah 16:14 - "But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble."

"But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble." - Isaiah 16:14

"But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble." - Isaiah 16:14

Isaiah 14:16 - "They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;"

Isaiah 14:16 - "They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;"

Isaiah 14:12

Isaiah 14:12

isaiah 5:14

isaiah 5:14

Isaiah 14:25

Isaiah 14:25

Isaiah 14:14 - "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High."

Isaiah 14:14 - "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High."

"They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;" - Isaiah 14:16

"They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;" - Isaiah 14:16

Genesis 16:14

Genesis 16:14

John 14:16

John 14:16

Isaiah 14:28 - "In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden."

Isaiah 14:28 - "In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden."

Isaiah 8:16 - "Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples."

Isaiah 8:16 - "Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples."

Isaiah 32:16 - "Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field."

Isaiah 32:16 - "Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field."

Isaiah 14:7 - "The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing."

Isaiah 14:7 - "The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing."

John 14:16-17

John 14:16-17

Isaiah 14:5 - "The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers."

Isaiah 14:5 - "The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers."

Isaiah 40:16 - "And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering."

Isaiah 40:16 - "And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering."

Isaiah 2:16 - "And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures."

Isaiah 2:16 - "And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures."

2 Kings 20:16 - "And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD."

2 Kings 20:16 - "And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD."

Isaiah 9:16 - "For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed."

Isaiah 9:16 - "For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed."

Isaiah 16:13 - "This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning Moab since that time."

Isaiah 16:13 - "This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning Moab since that time."

Isaiah 23:14 - "Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste."

Isaiah 23:14 - "Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste."

Deuteronomy 14:16 - "The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,"

Deuteronomy 14:16 - "The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,"

Isaiah 14:15 - "Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit."

Isaiah 14:15 - "Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit."

Isaiah 5:16 - "But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness."

Isaiah 5:16 - "But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness."

Romans 14:16 - "Let not then your good be evil spoken of:"

Romans 14:16 - "Let not then your good be evil spoken of:"

Isaiah 2:14 - "And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up,"

Isaiah 2:14 - "And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up,"

Isaiah 24:14-16 - "They raise their voices, they shout for joy; from the west they acclaim the Lord's majesty. Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord; exalt the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea. From the ends of the earth we hear singing: "Glory to the Righteous One." But I said, "I waste away, I waste away! Woe to me! The treacherous betray! With treachery the treacherous betray!""

Isaiah 24:14-16 - "They raise their voices, they shout for joy; from the west they acclaim the Lord's majesty. Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord; exalt the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea. From the ends of the earth we hear singing: "Glory to the Righteous One." But I said, "I waste away, I waste away! Woe to me! The treacherous betray! With treachery the treacherous betray!""

Isaiah 43:16 - "Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;"

Isaiah 43:16 - "Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;"

"I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." - Isaiah 14:14

"I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." - Isaiah 14:14