Albert Barnes Commentary Isaiah 15:9

"For the waters of Dimon are full of blood; for I will bring yet more upon Dimon, a lion upon them of Moab that escape, and upon the remnant of the land." — Isaiah 15:9 (ASV)

For the waters of Dimon - This is probably the same as “Dibon” (Isaiah 15:2). Eusebius says it was a large town on the northern bank of the river Arnon. Jerome says that the letters “m” and “b” are often interchanged in oriental dialects (see the note at Isaiah 15:2).

Shall be full of blood - This means that the number of Moab's slain will be so great that their blood will color the waters of the river—a very common occurrence in times of great slaughter.

Perhaps by the “waters” of Dimon the prophet does not mean the river Arnon, but the small rivulets or streams that might flow into it near the city of Dibon. There were probably winter brooks there, which do not run at all seasons.

The Chaldee renders it: ‘The waters of Dimon shall be full of blood, because I will place upon Dimon an assembly of armies.’

For I will bring more upon Dimon - In Hebrew, this means, ‘I will bring additions;’ that is, I will bring additional calamities upon it. Jerome says that by these additional calamities, the prophet refers to the “lions” which are mentioned immediately afterward: Lions upon him that escapeth of Moab. This refers to wild beasts attacking those who escaped from the slaughter and took refuge in the wilderness or on the mountains.

The Chaldee renders it: ‘A king shall ascend with an army, and shall destroy the remainder of their land.’ Aben Ezra interprets it as the king of Assyria, and Jarchi interprets it as Nebuchadnezzar, who is called a lion in Jeremiah 4:7.

Vitringa also supposes that Nebuchadnezzar is meant. But it is more probable that the prophet refers to wild beasts, which are often referred to in the Scriptures as objects of dread and as bringing calamities upon nations (Jeremiah 5:6; Jeremiah 15:3; 2 Kings 18:25).

Upon the remnant of the land - This refers to all those who escaped the desolation of the war. The Septuagint and the Arabic render this, ‘Upon the remnant of Adama,’ understanding the word translated ‘land’ (ארמה 'ădâmâh) as the name of a city. But it more probably means the land.