This is the word which the LORD spoke concerning Moab refers back to the oracle concerning Moab in 15.1—16.12. For the first time in these two chapters the divine name Yahweh appears. In the previous verses it is clearly the prophet who speaks. Here we are reminded that the prophet’s words are from Yahweh. For word we may say “words” or “message” (Good News Translation).

The phrase in the past shows that verses 13-14 are a later addition. Revised English Bible and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh say “long ago,” but it is not clear how far in the past the LORD gave this oracle. Good News Translation uses “earlier,” which hints that it was not so long ago. A simple solution is to say “once” or “previously.”

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 .