Isaiah 22:1-7

An Oracle Concerning Jerusalem

1 The 1oracle concerning 2the valley of vision. What do you mean that you have gone up, all of you, to the housetops,
2 you who are full of shoutings, tumultuous city, 3exultant town? Your slain are 4not slain with the sword or dead in battle.
3 5All your leaders have fled together; without the bow they were captured. All of you who were found were captured, though they had fled far away.
4 Therefore I said: "Look away from me; 6let me weep bitter tears; do not labor to comfort me concerning the destruction of the daughter of my people."
5 7For the Lord GOD of hosts has 8a day of tumult and 9trampling and 10confusion in 11the valley of vision, a battering down of walls and a shouting to the mountains.
6 And 12Elam bore the quiver with chariots and horsemen, and 13Kir uncovered the shield.
7 Your choicest valleys were full of chariots, and the horsemen took their stand at the gates.

Isaiah 22:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 22

This chapter contains two prophecies, one concerning the invasion of Judah and Jerusalem, not by the Medes and Persians, but by the Assyrian army, under which they served; and the other of the removal of Shebna, an officer in Hezekiah's court, and of the placing of Eliakim in his stead. After the title of the former of these prophecies, the distress of the people, through the invasion, is described, by their getting up to the housetops, Isa 22:1 by the stillness of the city, having left both trade and mirth; by the slain in it, not by the sword, but through fear or famine, Isa 22:2 by the flight of the rulers, and by the lamentation of the prophet, Isa 22:3-5 the instruments of which distress were the Persians and Medes serving under Sennacherib, who are described by their quivers and shields, their chariots and horsemen, Isa 22:6,7 the methods the Jews took to defend themselves, and their vain confidence, are exposed; for which, with their disrespect to the Lord, and his admonitions, their carnal security and luxury, they are threatened with death, Isa 22:8-14 then follows the prophecy of the deposition of Shebna, who is described by his name and office, Isa 22:15 whose pride is exposed as the cause of his fall, Isa 22:16 and he is threatened not only to be driven from his station, but to be carried captive into another country, suddenly and violently, and with great shame and disgrace, Isa 22:17-19 and another put in his place, who is mentioned by name, Isa 22:20 and who should be invested with his office and power, and have all the ensigns of it, Isa 22:21,22 and should continue long in it, to great honour and usefulness to his family, Isa 22:23,24 yet not always, Isa 22:25.

Cross References 13

  • 1. See Isaiah 13:1
  • 2. ver. 5; Jeremiah 21:13; [Joel 3:12, 14]
  • 3. Isaiah 32:13
  • 4. Lamentations 4:9
  • 5. [Isaiah 1:10]
  • 6. Jeremiah 9:1; Micah 1:8
  • 7. Isaiah 2:12-17
  • 8. [Isaiah 37:3]
  • 9. Isaiah 10:6; Isaiah 18:2
  • 10. Micah 7:4
  • 11. [See ver. 1 above]
  • 12. See Isaiah 11:11
  • 13. 2 Kings 16:9
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.