Translators may insert a paragraph break (so Revised Standard Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or a stanza break (Bible en français courant) here since the topic shifts slightly. The prophet begins with three synonymous temporal clauses to emphasize the main clause at the end, which notes that Moab will not succeed. He often uses three or four synonymous expressions to make a point. In the three temporal clauses here he clarifies his meaning as he goes from the first clause to the last one. The first two Hebrew verbs, rendered presents and wearies, are very similar in sound (nirʾah and nilʾah). This adds another dimension to these clauses that are piled up.

We begin with the main clause, he will not prevail, since many languages will need to place it at the beginning of the verse. He will not prevail is literally “he will not be able.” Here it means Moab’s prayers will fail or be in vain. New International Version says “it is to no avail” (similarly Revised English Bible, New American Bible). Good News Translation has “but it will do them no good,” Contemporary English Version “It’s useless,” and Bible en français courant “but without success.”

When Moab presents himself: The Hebrew verb rendered presents himself comes from a root meaning “see.” Here it refers to appearing before God for worship. Revised English Bible translates “Though the Moabites come to worship.” Some versions leave this clause implied in the action of going to the temple; for example, Bible en français courant translates this whole verse as follows: “One will see Moab exert itself going up to the sacred place, to go to its temple and beg its god, but without success.”

When he wearies himself upon the high place: Some versions render this clause as the result of Moab’s appearance in the previous clause (so New International Version, Revised English Bible), but according to the Hebrew syntax, these two clauses are parallel (so Revised Standard Version). Wearies may not mean that the Moabites grow tired but that they spend a great deal of time doing something that proves fruitless, which in this case is praying. For high place, see the comments on 15.2.

When he comes to his sanctuary to pray: This third temporal clause also refers to coming for worship. Sanctuary (literally “holy place”) is parallel to high place. It refers to a sacred place. New International Version uses “shrine,” but this could be an ambiguous word in many languages. A sanctuary is a more important place of worship than high place. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh suggests this by rendering the whole verse as follows: “And when it has become apparent that Moab has gained nothing in the outdoor shrine, he shall come to pray in his temple—but to no avail.”

Some translation examples for this verse are:

• Whenever the Moabites come to worship, whenever they spend long hours at their shrine, whenever they come to their sanctuary to pray, they will achieve nothing.

• Even though Moab comes to worship, spending long hours at the shrine, praying at their sanctuary, it will not be of any use.

• Though the people of Moab go to worship, spending long hours at the shrine, going to their sanctuary to pray, they will not be able to gain/achieve anything.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .