ישעיהו, פרק ט״ו, פסוק ו׳

Moab's national pride was deeply rooted in its fertile pasturelands and massive livestock industry. When the time comes for the nation's downfall, its ruin is naturally pictured through the tragic loss of these very assets, specifically the drying of its water sources and the death of its plant life.

The nation relied heavily on a specific river or spring, known for being exceptionally clear and healthy [שד״ל]. This waterway also functioned as a major trade route, acting as the main path through which the country's wealth flowed [מלבי״ם]. Yet, this vital resource is destined to become a complete wasteland. The cause of this ruin is viewed from a few different perspectives. It may be a physical catastrophe, where severe heat and drought cause the waters to evaporate entirely [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד], or where an invading enemy intentionally blocks the springs [שד״ל]. Alternatively, the desolation might be a human tragedy, with the area left empty after its residents flee or are killed [רד״ק]. A more graphic view suggests the waters will be ruined because the blood of the fallen will pour in and pollute the river [רש״י].

Following the loss of water, the land's plant life suffers a total collapse. Symbolically, this withering landscape represents the fall of Moab's heroes, kings, and leaders [רש״י]. On a literal level, the destruction unfolds in a highly specific, step-by-step process, affecting different types of plants in worsening stages [מלבי״ם]. The ruin begins with the wild grass, typically used for animal feed, which is the most fragile and dries out first. Next to fail is the general grass cover of the land, which usually holds out a bit longer. Finally, even the most resilient, moisture-rich green plants are wiped out. The severity of the damage also increases at each stage. What starts as simple drying soon turns into complete destruction, ending in a state so severe that the barren ground looks as though a green plant had never grown there at all [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד].