1 The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?
2 Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, joyous city: thy slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle.
3 All thy rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers: all that are found in thee are bound together, which have fled from far.
4 Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.
5 For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity by the Lord GOD of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains.
6 And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.
7 And it shall come to pass, that thy choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.
8 And he discovered the covering of Judah, and thou didst look in that day to the armour of the house of the forest.
9 Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool.
10 And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall.
11 Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.
12 And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:
13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.
14 And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
15 Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say,
16 What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?
17 Behold, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee.
18 He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy lord's house.
19 And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state shall he pull thee down.
20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:
21 And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.
22 And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
23 And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house.
24 And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.
25 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.
1 The burden H4853 of the valley H1516 of vision. H2384 What aileth thee now, H645 that thou art wholly gone up H5927 to the housetops? H1406
2 Thou that art full H4392 of stirs, H8663 a tumultuous H1993 city, H5892 a joyous H5947 city: H7151 thy slain H2491 men are not slain H2491 with the sword, H2719 nor dead H4191 in battle. H4421
3 All thy rulers H7101 are fled H5074 together, H3162 they are bound H631 by the archers: H7198 all that are found H4672 in thee are bound H631 together, H3162 which have fled H1272 from far. H7350
4 Therefore said H559 I, Look away H8159 from me; I will weep H1065 bitterly, H4843 labour H213 not to comfort H5162 me, because of the spoiling H7701 of the daughter H1323 of my people. H5971
5 For it is a day H3117 of trouble, H4103 and of treading down, H4001 and of perplexity H3998 by the Lord H136 GOD H3069 of hosts H6635 in the valley H1516 of vision, H2384 breaking H6979 down the walls, H7023 and of crying H7771 to the mountains. H2022
6 And Elam H5867 bare H5375 the quiver H827 with chariots H7393 of men H120 and horsemen, H6571 and Kir H7024 uncovered H6168 the shield. H4043
7 And it shall come to pass, that thy choicest H4005 valleys H6010 shall be full H4390 of chariots, H7393 and the horsemen H6571 shall set H7896 themselves in array H7896 at the gate. H8179
8 And he discovered H1540 the covering H4539 of Judah, H3063 and thou didst look H5027 in that day H3117 to the armour H5402 of the house H1004 of the forest. H3293
9 Ye have seen H7200 also the breaches H1233 of the city H5892 of David, H1732 that they are many: H7231 and ye gathered together H6908 the waters H4325 of the lower H8481 pool. H1295
10 And ye have numbered H5608 the houses H1004 of Jerusalem, H3389 and the houses H1004 have ye broken down H5422 to fortify H1219 the wall. H2346
11 Ye made H6213 also a ditch H4724 between the two walls H2346 for the water H4325 of the old H3465 pool: H1295 but ye have not looked H5027 unto the maker H6213 thereof, neither had respect H7200 unto him that fashioned H3335 it long ago. H7350
12 And in that day H3117 did the Lord H136 GOD H3069 of hosts H6635 call H7121 to weeping, H1065 and to mourning, H4553 and to baldness, H7144 and to girding H2296 with sackcloth: H8242
13 And behold joy H8342 and gladness, H8057 slaying H2026 oxen, H1241 and killing H7819 sheep, H6629 eating H398 flesh, H1320 and drinking H8354 wine: H3196 let us eat H398 and drink; H8354 for to morrow H4279 we shall die. H4191
14 And it was revealed H1540 in mine ears H241 by the LORD H3068 of hosts, H6635 Surely this iniquity H5771 shall not be purged H3722 from you till ye die, H4191 saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD H3069 of hosts. H6635
15 Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD H3069 of hosts, H6635 Go, H3212 get H935 thee unto this treasurer, H5532 even unto Shebna, H7644 which is over the house, H1004 and say,
16 What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out H2672 a sepulchre H6913 here, H6311 as he that heweth him out H2672 a sepulchre H6913 on high, H4791 and that graveth H2710 an habitation H4908 for himself in a rock? H5553
17 Behold, the LORD H3068 will carry thee away H2904 with a mighty H1397 captivity, H2925 and will surely H5844 cover H5844 thee.
18 He will surely H6801 violently turn H6801 and toss H6802 thee like a ball H1754 into a large H7342 H3027 country: H776 there shalt thou die, H4191 and there the chariots H4818 of thy glory H3519 shall be the shame H7036 of thy lord's H113 house. H1004
19 And I will drive H1920 thee from thy station, H4673 and from thy state H4612 shall he pull thee down. H2040
20 And it shall come to pass in that day, H3117 that I will call H7121 my servant H5650 Eliakim H471 the son H1121 of Hilkiah: H2518
21 And I will clothe H3847 him with thy robe, H3801 and strengthen H2388 him with thy girdle, H73 and I will commit H5414 thy government H4475 into his hand: H3027 and he shall be a father H1 to the inhabitants H3427 of Jerusalem, H3389 and to the house H1004 of Judah. H3063
22 And the key H4668 of the house H1004 of David H1732 will I lay H5414 upon his shoulder; H7926 so he shall open, H6605 and none shall shut; H5462 and he shall shut, H5462 and none shall open. H6605
23 And I will fasten H8628 him as a nail H3489 in a sure H539 place; H4725 and he shall be for a glorious H3519 throne H3678 to his father's H1 house. H1004
24 And they shall hang H8518 upon him all the glory H3519 of his father's H1 house, H1004 the offspring H6631 and the issue, H6849 all vessels H3627 of small H6996 quantity, from the vessels H3627 of cups, H101 even to all the vessels H3627 of flagons. H5035
25 In that day, H3117 saith H5002 the LORD H3068 of hosts, H6635 shall the nail H3489 that is fastened H8628 in the sure H539 place H4725 be removed, H4185 and be cut down, H1438 and fall; H5307 and the burden H4853 that was upon it shall be cut off: H3772 for the LORD H3068 hath spoken H1696 it.
1 The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?
2 O thou that art full of shoutings, a tumultuous city, a joyous town; thy slain are not slain with the sword, neither are they dead in battle.
3 All thy rulers fled away together, they were bound by the archers; all that were found of thee were bound together; they fled afar off.
4 Therefore said I, Look away from me, I will weep bitterly; labor not to comfort me for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
5 For it is a day of discomfiture, and of treading down, and of perplexity, from the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, in the valley of vision; a breaking down of the walls, and a crying to the mountains.
6 And Elam bare the quiver, with chariots of men `and' horsemen; and Kir uncovered the shield.
7 And it came to pass, that thy choicest valleys were full of chariots, and the horsemen set themselves in array at the gate.
8 And he took away the covering of Judah; and thou didst look in that day to the armor in the house of the forest.
9 And ye saw the breaches of the city of David, that they were many; and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool;
10 and ye numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and ye brake down the houses to fortify the wall;
11 ye made also a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But ye looked not unto him that had done this, neither had ye respect unto him that purposed it long ago.
12 And in that day did the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:
13 and behold, joy and gladness, slaying oxen and killing sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine: let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we shall die.
14 And Jehovah of hosts revealed himself in mine ears, Surely this iniquity shall not be forgiven you till ye die, saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts.
15 Thus saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, who is over the house, `and say',
16 What doest thou here? and whom has thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out here a sepulchre? hewing him out a sepulchre on high, graving a habitation for himself in the rock!
17 Behold, Jehovah, like a `strong' man, will hurl thee away violently; yea, he will wrap thee up closely.
18 He will surely wind thee round and round, `and toss thee' like a ball into a large country; there shalt thou die, and there shall be the chariots of thy glory, thou shame of thy lord's house.
19 And I will thrust thee from thine office; and from thy station shalt thou be pulled down.
20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:
21 and I will cloth him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand; and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.
22 And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; and he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
23 And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a throne of glory to his father's house.
24 And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the issue, every small vessel, from the cups even to all the flagons.
25 In that day, saith Jehovah of hosts, shall the nail that was fastened in a sure place give way; and it shall be hewn down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off; for Jehovah hath spoken it.
1 The burden of the Valley of Vision. What -- to thee, now, that thou hast gone up, All of thee -- to the roofs?
2 Full of stirs -- a noisy city -- an exulting city, Thy pierced are not pierced of the sword, Nor dead in battle.
3 All thy rulers fled together from the bow, Bound have been all found of thee, They have been kept bound together, Afar off they have fled.
4 Therefore I said, `Look ye from me, I am bitter in my weeping, Haste not to comfort me, For the destruction of the daughter of my people.'
5 For a day of noise, and of treading down, And of perplexity, `is' to the Lord, Jehovah of Hosts, In the valley of vision, digging down a wall, And crying unto the mountain.
6 And Elam hath borne a quiver, In a chariot of men -- horsemen, And Kir hath exposed a shield.
7 And it cometh to pass, The choice of thy valleys have been full of chariots, And the horsemen place themselves diligently at the gate.
8 And one removeth the covering of Judah, And thou lookest in that day Unto the armour of the house of the forest,
9 And the breaches of the city of David ye have seen, For they have become many, And ye gather the waters of the lower pool,
10 And the houses of Jerusalem ye did number, And ye break down the houses to fence the wall.
11 And a ditch ye made between the two walls, For the waters of the old pool, And ye have not looked unto its Maker, And its Framer of old ye have not seen.
12 And call doth the Lord, Jehovah of Hosts, In that day, to weeping and to lamentation, And to baldness and to girding on of sackcloth,
13 And lo, joy and gladness, slaying of oxen, And slaughtering of sheep, Eating of flesh, and drinking of wine, Eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.
14 And revealed it hath been in mine ears, `By' Jehovah of Hosts: Not pardoned is this iniquity to you, Till ye die, said the Lord, Jehovah of Hosts.
15 Thus said the Lord, Jehovah of Hosts: `Go, enter in unto this steward, Unto Shebna, who `is' over the house:
16 What -- to thee here? And who -- to thee here? That thou hast hewn out to thee here -- a sepulchre? Hewing on high his sepulchre, Graving in a rock a dwelling for himself.
17 Lo, Jehovah is casting thee up and down, A casting up and down, O mighty one,
18 And thy coverer covering, wrapping round, Wrappeth thee round, O babbler, On a land broad of sides -- there thou diest, And there the chariots of thine honour `Are' the shame of the house of thy lord.
19 And I have thrust thee from thy station, And from thine office he throweth thee down.
20 And it hath come to pass, in that day, That I have called to my servant, To Eliakim son of Hilkiah.
21 And I have clothed him with thy coat, And with thy girdle I strengthen him, And thy garment I give into his hand, And he hath been for a father to the inhabitant of Jerusalem, And to the house of Judah.
22 And I have placed the key Of the house of David on his shoulder, And he hath opened, and none is shutting, And hath shut, and none is opening.
23 And I have fixed him a nail in a stedfast place, And he hath been for a throne of honour To the house of his father.
24 And they have hanged on him All the honour of the house of his father, The offspring and the issue, All vessels of small quality, From vessels of basins to all vessels of flagons.
25 In that day -- an affirmation of Jehovah of Hosts, Moved is the nail that is fixed In a stedfast place, Yea, it hath been cut down, and hath fallen, And cut off hath been the burden that `is' on it, For Jehovah hath spoken!'
1 The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?
2 Thou that wast full of stir, a town of tumult, a joyous city: thy slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle.
3 All thy rulers have fled together, they are taken prisoners without the bow: all that are found of thee are made prisoners together; they were fleeing far off.
4 Therefore said I, Look away from me; let me weep bitterly: labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.
5 For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity, from the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, in the valley of vision; [a day of] breaking down the wall, and of crying to the mountain:
6 -- Elam beareth the quiver with chariots of men [and] horsemen; and Kir uncovereth the shield.
7 And it shall come to pass [that] thy choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.
8 And he uncovereth the covering of Judah: and thou didst look in that day to the armour in the house of the forest;
9 and ye have seen the breaches of the city of David, that they are many; and ye have gathered together the waters of the lower pool;
10 and ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and have broken down the houses to fortify the wall;
11 and ye have made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not had regard unto the maker thereof, neither have ye looked unto him that fashioned it long ago.
12 And in that day did the Lord Jehovah of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth;
13 and behold joy and rejoicing, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: -- Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.
14 And it was revealed in mine ears by Jehovah of hosts: Assuredly this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts.
15 Thus saith the Lord Jehovah of hosts: Go, get thee in unto this steward, unto Shebna, who is over the house, [and say,]
16 What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewn thee out a sepulchre here, [as] he that heweth out his sepulchre on high, cutting out in the rock a habitation for himself?
17 Behold, Jehovah will hurl thee with the force of a mighty man, and will cover thee entirely.
18 Rolling thee up completely, he will roll thee as a ball into a wide country: there shalt thou die, and there shall be the chariots of thy glory, O shame of thy lord's house!
19 And I will drive thee from thine office, and from thy station will I pull thee down.
20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkijah;
21 and I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand; and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.
22 And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; and he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
23 And I will fasten him [as] a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a throne of glory to his father's house:
24 and they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the issue, all the small vessels, as well the vessels of cups as all the vessels of flagons.
25 In that day, saith Jehovah of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in a sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for Jehovah hath spoken.
1 The burden of the valley of vision. What ails you now, that you are wholly gone up to the housetops?
2 You that are full of shouting, a tumultuous city, a joyous town; your slain are not slain with the sword, neither are they dead in battle.
3 All your rulers fled away together, they were bound by the archers; all who were found of you were bound together; they fled afar off.
4 Therefore said I, Look away from me, I will weep bitterly; don't labor to comfort me for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
5 For it is a day of confusion, and of treading down, and of perplexity, from the Lord, Yahweh of Hosts, in the valley of vision; a breaking down of the walls, and a crying to the mountains.
6 Elam bore the quiver, with chariots of men [and] horsemen; and Kir uncovered the shield.
7 It happened that your choicest valleys were full of chariots, and the horsemen set themselves in array at the gate.
8 He took away the covering of Judah; and you did look in that day to the armor in the house of the forest.
9 You saw the breaches of the city of David, that they were many; and you gathered together the waters of the lower pool;
10 and you numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and you broke down the houses to fortify the wall;
11 you made also a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you didn't look to him who had done this, neither did you have respect for him who purposed it long ago.
12 In that day did the Lord, Yahweh of Hosts, call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:
13 and behold, joy and gladness, killing oxen and killing sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine: let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we shall die.
14 Yahweh of Hosts revealed himself in my ears, Surely this iniquity shall not be forgiven you until you die, says the Lord, Yahweh of Hosts.
15 Thus says the Lord, Yahweh of Hosts, Go, get yourself to this treasurer, even to Shebna, who is over the house, [and say],
16 "What are you doing here? and who has you here, that you have hewed out a tomb here? Cutting him out a tomb on high, chiseling a habitation for himself in the rock!"
17 Behold, Yahweh, like a [strong] man, will hurl you away violently; yes, he will wrap you up closely.
18 He will surely wind you round and round, [and toss you] like a ball into a large country; there shall you die, and there shall be the chariots of your glory, you shame of your lord's house.
19 I will thrust you from your office; and from your station shall you be pulled down.
20 It shall happen in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:
21 and I will cloth him with your robe, and strengthen him with your belt, and I will commit your government into his hand; and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.
22 The key of the house of David will I lay on his shoulder; and he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
23 I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a throne of glory to his father's house.
24 They shall hang on him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the issue, every small vessel, from the cups even to all the pitchers.
25 In that day, says Yahweh of hosts, shall the nail that was fastened in a sure place give way; and it shall be hewn down, and fall; and the burden that was on it shall be cut off; for Yahweh has spoken it.
1 The word about the valley of vision. Why have all your people gone up to the house-tops?
2 You, who are full of loud voices, a town of outcries, given up to joy; your dead men have not been put to the sword, or come to their death in war.
3 All your rulers ... have gone in flight; all your strong ones have gone far away.
4 For this cause I have said, Let your eyes be turned away from me in my bitter weeping; I will not be comforted for the wasting of the daughter of my people.
5 For it is a day of trouble and of crushing down and of destruction from the Lord, the Lord of armies, in the valley of vision; ...
6 And Elam was armed with arrows, and Aram came on horseback; and the breastplate of Kir was uncovered.
7 And your most fertile valleys were full of war-carriages, and the horsemen took up their positions in front of the town.
8 He took away the cover of Judah; and in that day you were looking with care at the store of arms in the house of the woods.
9 And you saw all the broken places in the wall of the town of David: and you got together the waters of the lower pool.
10 And you had the houses of Jerusalem numbered, pulling down the houses to make the wall stronger.
11 And you made a place between the two walls for storing the waters of the old pool: but you gave no thought to him who had done this, and were not looking to him by whom it had been purposed long before.
12 And in that day the Lord, the Lord of armies, was looking for weeping, and cries of sorrow, cutting off of the hair, and putting on the clothing of grief:
13 But in place of these there was joy and delight, oxen and sheep were being made ready for food, there was feasting and drinking: men said, Now is the time for food and wine, for tomorrow death comes.
14 And the Lord of armies said to me secretly, Truly, this sin will not be taken from you till your death, says the Lord, the Lord of armies.
15 The Lord, the Lord of armies, says, Go to this person in authority, this Shebna, who is over the house; who has made himself a resting-place on high, cutting out a place for himself in the rock, and say,
16 Who are you, and by what right have you made for yourself a resting-place here?
17 See, O strong man, the Lord will send you violently away, gripping you with force,
18 Twisting you round and round like a ball he will send you out into a wide country: there you will come to your end, and there will be the carriages of your pride, O shame of your lord's house!
19 And I will have you forced out of your place of authority, and pulled down from your position.
20 And in that day I will send for my servant, Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah:
21 And I will put your robe on him, and put your band about him, and I will give your authority into his hand: and he will be a father to the men of Jerusalem, and to the family of Judah.
22 And I will give the key of the family of David into his care; and what he keeps open will be shut by no one, and what he keeps shut no one will make open.
23 And I will put him like a nail in a safe place; and he will be for a seat of glory to his father's family.
24 And all the glory of his father's family will be hanging on him, all their offspring, every small vessel, even the cups and the basins.
25 In that day, says the Lord of armies, will the nail fixed in a safe place give way; and it will be cut down, and in its fall the weight hanging on it will be cut off, for the Lord has said it.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Isaiah 22
Commentary on Isaiah 22 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 22
Isa 22:1-14. Prophecy as to an Attack on Jerusalem.
That by Sennacherib, in the fourteenth year of Hezekiah; Isa 22:8-11, the preparations for defense and securing of water exactly answer to those in 2Ch 32:4, 5, 30. "Shebna," too (Isa 22:15), was scribe at this time (Isa 36:3) [Maurer]. The language of Isa 22:12-14, as to the infidelity and consequent utter ruin of the Jews, seems rather to foreshadow the destruction by Nebuchadnezzar in Zedekiah's reign, and cannot be restricted to Hezekiah's time [Lowth].
1. of … valley of vision—rather, "respecting the valley of visions"; namely, Jerusalem, the seat of divine revelations and visions, "the nursery of prophets" [Jerome], (Isa 2:3; 29:1; Eze 23:4, Margin; Lu 13:33). It lay in a "valley" surrounded by hills higher than Zion and Moriah (Ps 125:2; Jer 21:13).
thee—the people of Jerusalem personified.
housetops—Panic-struck, they went up on the flat balustraded roofs to look forth and see whether the enemy was near, and partly to defend themselves from the roofs (Jud 9:51, &c.).
2. art—rather, "wert"; for it could not now be said to be "a joyous city" (Isa 32:13). The cause of their joy (Isa 22:13) may have been because Sennacherib had accepted Hezekiah's offer to renew the payment of tribute, and they were glad to have peace on any terms, however humiliating (2Ki 18:14-16), or on account of the alliance with Egypt. If the reference be to Zedekiah's time, the joy and feasting are not inapplicable, for this recklessness was a general characteristic of the unbelieving Jews (Isa 56:12).
not slain with the sword—but with the famine and pestilence about to be caused by the coming siege (La 4:9). Maurer refers this to the plague by which he thinks Sennacherib's army was destroyed, and Hezekiah was made sick (Isa 37:36; 38:1). But there is no authority for supposing that the Jews in the city suffered such extremities of plague at this time, when God destroyed their foes. Barnes refers it to those slain in flight, not in open honorable "battle"; Isa 22:3 favors this.
3. rulers—rather, "generals" (Jos 10:24; Jud 11:6, 11).
bound—rather, "are taken."
by the archers—literally, "by the bow"; so Isa 21:17. Bowmen were the light troops, whose province it was to skirmish in front and (2Ki 6:22) pursue fugitives (2Ki 25:5); this verse applies better to the attack of Nebuchadnezzar than that of Sennacherib.
all … in thee—all found in the city (Isa 13:15), not merely the "rulers" or generals.
fled from far—those who had fled from distant parts to Jerusalem as a place of safety; rather, fled afar.
4. Look … from me—Deep grief seeks to be alone; while others feast joyously, Isaiah mourns in prospect of the disaster coming on Jerusalem (Mic 1:8, 9).
daughter, &c.—(see on Isa 1:8; La 2:11).
5. trouble … by the Lord—that is, sent by or from the Lord (see on Isa 19:15; Lu 21:22-24).
valley of vision—(See on Isa 22:1). Some think a valley near Ophel is meant as about to be the scene of devastation (compare see on Isa 32:13,14).
breaking … walls—that is, "a day of breaking the walls" of the city.
crying to the mountains—the mournful cry of the townsmen "reaches" to (Maurer translates, towards) the mountains, and is echoed back by them. Josephus describes in the very same language the scene at the assault of Jerusalem under Titus. To this the prophecy, probably, refers ultimately. If, as some think, the "cry" is that of those escaping to the mountains, compare Mt 13:14; 24:16, with this.
6. Elam—the country stretching east from the Lower Tigris, answering to what was afterwards called Persia (see on Isa 21:2). Later, Elam was a province of Persia (Ezr 4:9). In Sennacherib's time, Elam was subject to Assyria (2Ki 18:11), and so furnished a contingent to its invading armies. Famed for the bow (Isa 13:18; Jer 49:35), in which the Ethiopians alone excelled them.
with chariots of men and horsemen—that is, they used the bow both in chariots and on horseback. "Chariots of men," that is, chariots in which men are borne, war chariots (compare see on Isa 21:7; Isa 21:9).
Kir—another people subject to Assyria (2Ki 16:9); the region about the river Kur, between the Caspian and Black Seas.
uncovered—took off for the battle the leather covering of the shield, intended to protect the embossed figures on it from dust or injury during the march. "The quiver" and "the shield" express two classes—light and heavy armed troops.
7. valleys—east, north, and south of Jerusalem: Hinnom on the south side was the richest valley.
in array at the gate—Rab-shakeh stood at the upper pool close to the city (Isa 36:11-13).
8. he discovered the covering—rather, "the veil of Judah shall be taken off" [Horsley]: figuratively for, exposing to shame as a captive (Isa 47:3; Na 3:5). Sennacherib dismantled all "the defensed cities of Judah" (Isa 36:1).
thou didst look—rather, "thou shalt look."
house of … forest—The house of armory built of cedar from the forest of Lebanon by Solomon, on a slope of Zion called Ophel (1Ki 7:2; 10:17; Ne 3:19). Isaiah says (Isa 22:8-13) his countrymen will look to their own strength to defend themselves, while others of them will drown their sorrows as to their country in feasting, but none will look to Jehovah.
9. Ye have seen—rather, "Ye shall see."
city of David—the upper city, on Zion, the south side of Jerusalem (2Sa 5:7, 9; 1Ki 8:1); surrounded by a wall of its own; but even in it there shall be "breaches." Hezekiah's preparations for defense accord with this (2Ch 32:5).
ye gathered—rather, "ye shall gather."
lower pool—(See on Isa 22:11). Ye shall bring together into the city by subterranean passages cut in the rock of Zion, the fountain from which the lower pool (only mentioned here) is supplied. See on Isa 7:3; 2Ki 20:20; 2Ch 32:3-5, represent Hezekiah as having stopped the fountains to prevent the Assyrians getting water. But this is consistent with the passage here. The superfluous waters of the lower pool usually flowed into Hinnom valley, and so through that of Jehoshaphat to the brook Kedron. Hezekiah built a wall round it, stopped the outflowing of its waters to debar the foe from the use of them, and turned them into the city.
10. numbered—rather, "ye shall number," namely, in order to see which of them may be pulled down with the least loss to the city, and with most advantage for the repair of the walls and rearing of towers (2Ch 32:5).
have ye broken down—rather, "ye shall break down."
11. Ye made … a ditch—rather, "Ye shall make a reservoir" for receiving the water. Hezekiah surrounded Siloah, from which the old (or king's, or upper) pool took its rise, with a wall joined to the wall of Zion on both sides; between these two walls he made a new pool, into which he directed the waters of the former, thus cutting off the foe from his supply of water also. The opening from which the upper pool received its water was nearer Zion than the other from which the lower pool took its rise, so that the water which flowed from the former could easily be shut in by a wall, whereas that which flowed from the latter could only be brought in by subterranean conduits (compare see on Isa 22:9; Isa 7:3; 2Ki 20:20; 2Ch 32:3-5, 30; Ecclesiasticus 48:17). Both were southwest of Jerusalem.
have not looked … neither had respect—answering by contrast to "Thou didst look to the armor, ye have seen ('had respect', or 'regard to') the breaches" (Isa 22:8, 9).
maker thereof—God, by whose command and aid these defenses were made, and who gave this fountain "long ago." G. V. Smith translates, "Him who doeth it," that is, has brought this danger on you—"Him who hath prepared it from afar," that is, planned it even from a distant time.
12. did the Lord God call—Usually the priests gave the summons to national mourning (Joe 1:14); now Jehovah Himself shall give it; the "call" shall consist in the presence of a terrible foe. Translate, "shall call."
baldness—emblem of grief (Job 1:20; Mic 1:16).
13. Notwithstanding Jehovah's "call to mourning" (Isa 22:12), many shall make the desperate state of affairs a reason for reckless revelry (Isa 5:11, 12, 14; Jer 18:12; 1Co 15:32).
Isa 22:15-25. Prophecy That Shebna Should Be Deposed from Being Prefect of the Palace, and Eliakim Promoted to the Office.
In Isa 36:3, 22; 37:2, we find Shebna "a scribe," and no longer prefect of the palace ("over the household"), and Eliakim in that office, as is here foretold. Shebna is singled out as the subject of prophecy (the only instance of an individual being so in Isaiah), as being one of the irreligious faction that set at naught the prophet's warnings (Isa 28:1-33:24); perhaps it was he who advised the temporary ignominious submission of Hezekiah to Sennacherib.
15. Go, get thee unto—rather, "Go in to" (that is, into the house to).
treasurer—"him who dwells in the tabernacle" [Jerome]; namely, in a room of the temple set apart for the treasurer. Rather, "the king's friend," or "principal officer of the court" (1Ki 4:5; 18:3; 1Ch 27:33, "the king's counsellor") [Maurer]. "This" is prefixed contemptuously (Ex 32:1).
unto Shebna—The Hebrew for "unto" indicates an accosting of Shebna with an unwelcome message.
16. What … whom—The prophet accosts Shebna at the very place where he was building a grand sepulcher for himself and his family (compare Isa 14:18; Ge 23:1-20; 49:29; 50:13). "What (business) hast thou here, and whom hast thou (of thy family, who is likely to be buried) here, that thou buildest," &c., seeing that thou art soon to be deposed from office and carried into captivity? [Maurer].
on high—Sepulchres were made in the highest rocks (2Ch 32:33, Margin).
habitation for himself—compare "his own house" (Isa 14:18).
17. carry … away with … captivity—rather, "will cast thee away with a mighty throw" [Maurer]. "Mighty," literally, "of a man" (so Job 38:3).
surely cover—namely, with shame, where thou art rearing a monument to perpetuate thy fame [Vitringa]. "Rolling will roll thee," that is, will continually roll thee on, as a ball to be tossed away [Maurer]. Compare Isa 22:18.
18. violently turn and toss—literally, "whirling He will whirl thee," that is, He will, without intermission, whirl thee [Maurer]. "He will whirl thee round and round, and (then) cast thee away," as a stone in a sling is first whirled round repeatedly, before the string is let go [Lowth].
large country—perhaps Assyria.
chariots … shall be the shame of thy lord's house—rather, "thy splendid chariots shall be there, O thou disgrace of thy lord's house" [Noyes]; "chariots of thy glory" mean "thy magnificent chariots." It is not meant that he would have these in a distant land, as he had in Jerusalem, but that he would be borne thither in ignominy instead of in his magnificent chariots. The Jews say that he was tied to the tails of horses by the enemy, to whom he had designed to betray Jerusalem, as they thought he was mocking them; and so he died.
19. state—office.
he—God. A similar change of persons occurs in Isa 34:16.
20. son of Hilkiah—supposed by Kimchi to be the same as Azariah, son of Hilkiah, who perhaps had two names, and who was "over the household" in Hezekiah's time (1Ch 6:13).
21. thy robe—of office.
girdle—in which the purse was carried, and to it was attached the sword; often adorned with gold and jewels.
father—that is, a counsellor and friend.
22. key—emblem of his office over the house; to "open" or "shut"; access rested with him.
upon … shoulder—So keys are carried sometimes in the East, hanging from the kerchief on the shoulder. But the phrase is rather figurative for sustaining the government on one's shoulders. Eliakim, as his name implies, is here plainly a type of the God-man Christ, the son of "David," of whom Isaiah (Isa 9:6) uses the same language as the former clause of this verse. In Re 3:7, the same language as the latter clause is found (compare Job 12:14).
23. nail … sure place—Large nails or pegs stood in ancient houses on which were suspended the ornaments of the family. The sense is: all that is valuable to the nation shall rest securely on him. In Ezr 9:8 "nail" is used of the large spike driven into the ground to fasten the cords of the tent to.
throne—resting-place to his family, as applied to Eliakim; but "throne," in the strict sense, as applied to Messiah, the antitype (Lu 1:32, 33).
24. Same image as in Isa 22:23. It was customary to "hang" the valuables of a house on nails (1Ki 10:16, 17, 21; So 4:4).
offspring and the issue—rather, "the offshoots of the family, high and low" [Vitringa]. Eliakim would reflect honor even on the latter.
vessels of cups—of small capacity: answering to the low and humble offshoots.
vessels of flagons—larger vessels: answering to the high offshoots.
25. nail … fastened—Shebna, who was supposed to be firmly fixed in his post.
burden … upon it—All that were dependent on Shebna, all his emoluments and rank will fail, as when a peg is suddenly "cut down," the ornaments on it fall with it. Sin reaches in its effects even to the family of the guilty (Ex 20:5).