ישעיהו, פרק ט״ו, פסוק ב׳

A sudden, devastating ruin sweeps through Moab, replacing the bravery of its warriors with profound despair. A cry of destruction echoes across the kingdom as the grief-stricken people desperately seek salvation. Instead of gathering courage to fight the invading enemy, the entire nation breaks down in tears of absolute hopelessness [מלבי״ם]. This widespread weeping and wailing is triggered by the fall and conquest of two major cities, Nebo and Medeba [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד, רד״ק, שטיינזלץ]. Nebo, in particular, serves as a central hub for idolatrous worship [שד״ל].

In their desperation, the people of Moab ascend to high places to mourn and plead for help. The residents of the city of Dibon climb up to elevated places of worship or fortresses to weep. The primary approach among commentators is that the people gather at an idolatrous temple, desperately begging their gods for mercy [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, שד״ל, שטיינזלץ]. However, other perspectives suggest they are flocking to the king's palace [שטיינזלץ], traveling to a specific city bearing that name [אבן עזרא], or simply climbing in masses onto the roofs of their own private homes [מלבי״ם].

The intense grief drives the Moabites to physical self-harm, an ancient regional custom used to express profound sorrow over death—a practice strictly forbidden to the Israelites [שד״ל, שטיינזלץ]. They violently pull and tear at the hair on their heads until they form bald spots, physically manifesting the pain of an incurable tragedy [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, רד״ק]. Furthermore, they shave, chop, and tear out their beards [אבן עזרא, מנחת שי, מצודת ציון, רד״ק, שד״ל]. In the ancient world, a beard was considered the ultimate symbol of a man's glory and dignity. By destroying and removing their facial hair, the Moabites display a level of extreme mourning and disgrace. The despair has penetrated their hearts so deeply that they willingly strip away their own splendor out of sheer, overwhelming sadness [מלבי״ם, מנחת שי, רד״ק].