Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 15:5

5 My heart shall cry out for Moab , his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar , an heifer of three years old : for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up: for in the way of Horonaim, they shall raise up a cry of destruction .

Their Destruction approaching is so dreadful, that although they are a most vile Nation, and by their implacable Enmity against God and his People do abundantly deserve it, yet the Respect which I have to Humane Nature fills me with Horrour at the very thoughts of it. Compare Isa. 16. 11.

Or, his bars, as others render it, and as this Word is frequently taken, as Exod. 26. 26, 27. Psal. 107▪ 16. &c. whereby he may understand their valiant Men, or their Princes and Rulers, who as they are called the shields of the earth, Psal. 47. 9. because, like Shields, they do or should defend their People; so for the same reason they may be called bars, because Bars are the Strength of the Gates of Cities or Castles, and therefore are mentioned as such Psal. 147. 13. Prov. 18. 19. Ier. 51. 30.

Or, shall cry unto Zoar; either shall cry as they go along the way, even till they come to Zoar; or, shall cry so as they may be heard to Zoar: which may easily be understood out of the foregoing Verse. Zoar was a Town bordering upon Moab; of which see [illegible: 1+ letters]en. 19. 20, 21, 22. & Deut. 34. 3.

Which some understand of the City of Zoar, so called for her Strength and Wantonness. But such a Description of Zoar seems very improper and impertinent in this place. The Words therefore are to be translated here, as they are by our Translators, Ier. 48. 34. as an▪ heifer of three years old; and so they belong to their Cry, and signifie that it is strong and loud, like that of such an Heifer.

He signifies, that the Cry should be universal, in all Places where they come, and reaching from one side of the Country to another. Of Luhith see Ier. 48. 4, 5.

Such a Cry as men send forth when they are just falling into the Pit of Destruction.

Marginal references: Or, to the borders thereof, even to Zoar, as an heis[illegible: 1+ letters]r.; Heb. breaking.; Jer, 48. 5. 34.