Isaiah 16:3 - Give counsel! Execute justice! Make your shade like the night in the middle of the noonday! Hide the outcasts! Don’t betray the fugitive!
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What does "Isaiah 16:3" mean?
Isaiah 16:3 is part of a plea directed to Moab, a nation bordering Israel. The plea is from the exiled Israelites, desperately seeking refuge and help. Let's break down the verse's meaning:
"Give counsel!" This means to provide wise and strategic advice to those in need, specifically the exiled Israelites who are seeking guidance on how to survive and navigate their displacement.
"Execute justice!" This is a call for Moab to act fairly and equitably towards the exiles, ensuring they are treated justly and not exploited or mistreated.
"Make your shade like the night in the middle of the noonday!" This is a powerful metaphor. Noonday is when the sun is strongest and provides no relief. The Israelites are asking Moab to offer such complete and encompassing protection that it feels like the cool darkness of night even when facing the full heat of adversity and persecution. It speaks to providing a secure and safe haven.
"Hide the outcasts!" This is a direct request for Moab to shelter and protect the fleeing Israelites. The word "outcasts" suggests they are rejected by their own people or lands and are vulnerable.
"Don’t betray the fugitive!" This implores Moab not to hand over or expose those who are seeking refuge to their pursuers (likely Assyria or another oppressive power). It's a call for loyalty and trustworthiness.
In essence, the verse is a desperate appeal to Moab for compassion and sanctuary. The Israelites are asking Moab to be a place of safety, justice, and refuge from their enemies.
The verse also implies moral expectations of hospitality and protection, principles often emphasized in ancient Near Eastern cultures and throughout the Bible. The plea highlights the vulnerability of refugees and the moral obligation of those who are able to offer assistance.
Isaiah 16:3 - Give counsel! Execute justice! Make your shade like the night in the middle of the noonday! Hide the outcasts! Don’t betray the fugitive!
What does "Isaiah 16:3" mean?
Isaiah 16:3 is part of a plea directed to Moab, a nation bordering Israel. The plea is from the exiled Israelites, desperately seeking refuge and help. Let's break down the verse's meaning:
"Give counsel!" This means to provide wise and strategic advice to those in need, specifically the exiled Israelites who are seeking guidance on how to survive and navigate their displacement.
"Execute justice!" This is a call for Moab to act fairly and equitably towards the exiles, ensuring they are treated justly and not exploited or mistreated.
"Make your shade like the night in the middle of the noonday!" This is a powerful metaphor. Noonday is when the sun is strongest and provides no relief. The Israelites are asking Moab to offer such complete and encompassing protection that it feels like the cool darkness of night even when facing the full heat of adversity and persecution. It speaks to providing a secure and safe haven.
"Hide the outcasts!" This is a direct request for Moab to shelter and protect the fleeing Israelites. The word "outcasts" suggests they are rejected by their own people or lands and are vulnerable.
"Don’t betray the fugitive!" This implores Moab not to hand over or expose those who are seeking refuge to their pursuers (likely Assyria or another oppressive power). It's a call for loyalty and trustworthiness.
In essence, the verse is a desperate appeal to Moab for compassion and sanctuary. The Israelites are asking Moab to be a place of safety, justice, and refuge from their enemies.
The verse also implies moral expectations of hospitality and protection, principles often emphasized in ancient Near Eastern cultures and throughout the Bible. The plea highlights the vulnerability of refugees and the moral obligation of those who are able to offer assistance.