An oracle concerning Moab is a title, which is literally “The Moab oracle.” For oracle see the introductory comments on 13.1—23.18. New Jerusalem Bible uses the word “Proclamation.”

Because Ar is laid waste in a night Moab is undone: These two lines are identical to the next two lines except for the names of the towns. The Hebrew particle ki rendered Because is better translated “Indeed/Truly/Surely.” It does not introduce a reason for something here, but it is simply used for emphasis.

Ar is laid waste in a night Moab is undone may be read “in a night of the destruction of Ar, Moab is undone” (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation). Because the major city of Ar in Moab had been destroyed, the nation as a whole suffered fatally. But there are some scholars and translations that prefer to read the Hebrew text as “destroyed in a night, Ar of Moab is undone” (so New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible). For them the text does not refer explicitly to the collapse of Moab, but only to that of Ar. Both readings of the Hebrew text are possible, but we favor the second one. However, the cities of Ar and Kir (literally “city” and “wall”) together can refer to the country as a whole; see the comments below. Translators may choose either reading here.

The town of Ar was an important one on the banks of the Arnon River, so it was in the northern part of Moab. The passive verb phrase is laid waste describes the destruction of the town. Languages that need to use an active form here may say “enemies laid waste” or “an enemy destroyed.” The Hebrew phrase translated in a night is figurative for the speed with which the town was attacked and defeated. Good News Translation says “in a single night.” The Hebrew verb rendered is undone denotes the collapse of the nation or city. This verb comes from a root meaning “be silent,” so New Jerusalem Bible says “lies silent” (similarly Good News Translation, Bible en français courant).

Because Kir is laid waste in a night Moab is undone: This sentence is parallel to the previous one. Unless there is a need to combine them as Good News Translation has done, they should be rendered in the same way. They may summarize the content of the whole oracle. Kir is probably the same town as Kir-hareseth in 16.7 and Kir-heres in 16.11. It was the major town in the southern part of Moab. The destruction of Moab’s two primary towns Ar and Kir represents the collapse of the whole nation under enemy attack.

Translation examples for this verse are:

• This is an oracle about Moab. Indeed, in one night the town of Ar was destroyed and Moab cut off; indeed, in one night Kir was destroyed and Moab cut off.

• This is a message concerning Moab. Truly, in one night Ar was devastated, Moab is in silence; truly, in one night Kir was devastated, Moab is in silence.

• An oracle about Moab. Truly, the enemy destroyed Ar of Moab in one night—it was desolated; truly, the enemy destroyed Kir of Moab in one night—it was desolated.

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 .