Isaiah 22:1-8

The Valley of Vision

1 The oracle concerning the 1valley of vision. What is the matter with you now, that you have all gone up to the 2housetops?
2 You who were full of noise, You boisterous town, you 3exultant city; Your slain were 4not slain with the sword, Nor did they die in battle.
3 5All your rulers have fled together, And have been captured without the bow; All of you who were found were taken captive together, Though they had fled far away.
4 Therefore * I say, "Turn your eyes away from me, Let me 6weep bitterly, Do not try to comfort me concerning the destruction of the daughter of my people."
5 7For the Lord GOD of hosts has a 8day of panic, 9subjugation and confusion 10In the valley of vision, A breaking down of walls And a crying to the mountain.
6 11Elam took up the quiver With the chariots, infantry and horsemen; And 12Kir uncovered the shield.
7 Then your choicest valleys were full of chariots, And the horsemen took up fixed positions at the gate.
8 And He removed the defense of Judah. In that day you depended on the weapons of the 13house of the forest,

Isaiah 22:1-8 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. Psalms 125:2; Jeremiah 21:13; Joel 3:12, 14
  • 2. Isaiah 15:3
  • 3. Isaiah 23:7; Isaiah 32:13
  • 4. Jeremiah 14:18; Lamentations 2:20
  • 5. Isaiah 21:15
  • 6. Isaiah 15:3; Jeremiah 9:1; Luke 19:41
  • 7. Lamentations 1:5; Lamentations 2:2
  • 8. Isaiah 37:3
  • 9. Isaiah 10:6; Isaiah 63:3
  • 10. Isaiah 22:1
  • 11. Isaiah 21:2; Jeremiah 49:35
  • 12. 2 Kings 16:9; Amos 1:5; Amos 9:7
  • 13. 1 Kings 7:2; 1 Kings 10:17

Footnotes 10

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