ישעיהו, פרק ט״ז, פסוק י״ג

A prophecy of doom against Moab reaches its conclusion by revealing that the impending destruction is not a sudden decision, but a decree sealed long ago. The message points directly to Moab's ultimate downfall and future destruction at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar [רש״י]. It is an absolute sentence, meaning no rescue attempt will be able to save the nation [מלבי״ם]. This is not merely a passing statement, but a firm, unchangeable order from the Creator, functioning much like a mortal king issuing a strict command to his servants [אבן עזרא].

The level of authority in this declaration is highly unusual, carrying a weight typically reserved only for the prophecies of Moses. To explain how Isaiah could deliver a message with such unique authority, some suggest that he actually received this specific vision before he was even born, while his soul was still without a physical body [חומת אנך].

The prophecy emphasizes that Moab's fate was decided in the distant past. While there is broad agreement that the decree is ancient, there are different views on exactly when it was first given. It may refer to an earlier warning delivered by Isaiah himself long before the disaster struck [רש״י], possibly during the reign of King Ahaz [שד״ל]. Others suggest it points to the warnings of even older, ancient prophets [מלבי״ם]. Some trace the origin of this decree all the way back to the days of Balak, the king of Moab, when he attempted to hire Balaam to curse the Israelites [רש״י].

The reason for highlighting the ancient roots of this decree is to clarify its timeline. In the past, the warning of Moab's fall was given in general terms without a specific date. Now, the message is repeated for a distinct purpose: to set an exact time for the destruction to finally take place [רד״ק].