Isaiah 15:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

A dreadful cry is heard, for the waters of Nimrim have run dry. This water may call forth the armies of the towns, or perhaps it signifies that as bandits increase, the waters lessen. The pastures have become desolate, the grass has been consumed, leaving no lushness behind. It is evident that in the presence of countless forces, there exists a shortage of vegetation and greenery.

The waters of Nemrim will run dry, and the vegetation will be sparse; indeed, the greenery will be absent. Can sustenance remain intact amidst such desolation? The city of Nevrim, situated at the far reaches near the Red Sea, is known for its plentiful water and lush pastures, allowing its people to maintain numerous horses. This abundance fostered a warrior spirit among its inhabitants, as their horses were well-trained for battle. However, due to divine judgment and the onslaught of foes, the land will face a drought, losing both water and greenery. When this occurs, the ability to engage in warfare will be severely diminished, as the horses will suffer and ultimately die from lack of food.

The waters of Nemriml will run dry. The waters of falsehood, which once flowed abundantly and were a source of detriment to those who imbibed them, will vanish, as the prophet declares, leaving them empty. If one could truly grasp the significance of the name, it might provide insight into the prophetic message and facilitate communion with the truths conveyed through such names. This water stands in stark contrast to the waters of peace, upon which the Lord shepherds His flock (cf. Ps. 22:1-2). It is the water that the Lord offers to those who place their trust in Him, from which anyone fortunate enough to partake will find a wellspring of water that leads to everlasting life (cf. Jn. 4:14).

The waters of Nemrim will be desolate, meaning that the streams that nourished the land of Moab will cease to flow. Through the metaphor of the parched spring, the prophet depicts the ultimate disaster facing the Moabites. The grass will fade, for it will no longer be lush. Through these vivid illustrations, the prophet conveys the devastation of the Moabite people.

The waters of Nemrim will be abandoned. This city, located near the Dead Sea, features saline and therefore unproductive waters. The prophet may be engaging in a play on words connected to the name, or following its desolation, something detrimental may have occurred, resulting in the waters turning bitter. Because the vegetation has dried up, there is a lack of grain, and all green life has withered away. This should not be interpreted, as some suggest, that the barren waters of Nemrim caused the grass to die off; rather, Scripture employs metaphorical language. The implication is that in all of Moab and Nemrim, the waters shall be salty and bitter; just as no plant thrives there, drought will grip the entire area, extending from Sihor to Oronaim and beyond. Jeremiah expresses a similar sentiment: “the waters of Nemrim shall be very thin” (Jer. 48:34).