Isaiah 15:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The waters of Dimon were stained with blood. I perceive these as the two riverbanks where the escapees sought refuge, yet the Arabs, well-versed in the area, also arrived here and slaughtered those fleeing. Consequently, the prophet affirms, I will bring upon Dimon the Arabians, and I will take the descendants of Moab, and of Ariel, and the lineage of Adam, and I will send upon the world for the sake of destitution and chaos.

The prophet refers to the teaching as water, stating it is mingled with blood, indicating that misleading teachers bring about spiritual death for their followers. Thus, when discussing destructive and soul-damaging doctrines, it is fitting to invoke the prophetic statement: ‘The water of Dimona will be filled with blood; I will bring upon Dimona the Aravites, and I will take the seed of Moab, which did not turn to better things, but remained among those who did not enter the Church of the Lord. The seed of Moab, for the Moabites shall not enter into the temple of the Lord, not even unto the tenth generation, not even unto the ages of ages (cf. Deut. 23:3).’ This declaration threatens the destruction of what it calls the seed of Ariel, which is interpreted by the Hebrews as a lion.

The waters of Dimona will be stained with blood; I will bring this upon Dimona. This signifies a monumental slaughter, leaving the water polluted with the remains of humanity. I will remember those who escaped from Moab and the remnant of the land, specifically, the son of the ruler who will return and confront those who were spared and stayed in the land.

The waters of Dibon were saturated with blood. Where there used to be plenty, nourished by the irrigation of the fields and the freely flowing streams, streams of blood now course through the land due to the numerous slain. I will impose a burden upon Dibon, a lion upon those who have fled from Moab, and upon those who remain in the land. To prevent anyone from thinking this is an error by the scribe, and seeking to rectify it, it is important to note that the name of the city is spelled both with a 'm' and a 'b.' Dimon signifies silence, while Dibon signifies flowing. Both names are applicable to this location due to the gently flowing waters, which is why this town is referred to interchangeably as Dimon and Dibon.