Isaiah 22:8-18

8 And He removed the defense of Judah. In that day you depended on the weapons of the 1house of the forest,
9 And you saw that the breaches In the wall of the city of David were many; And you 2collected the waters of the lower pool.
10 Then you counted the houses of Jerusalem And tore down houses to fortify the wall.
11 And you made a reservoir 3between the two walls For the waters of the 4old pool. But you did not depend on Him who made it, Nor did you take into consideration Him who planned it long ago.
12 Therefore in that day the Lord GOD of hosts called you to 5weeping, to wailing, To 6shaving the head and to wearing sackcloth.
13 Instead, there is 7gaiety and gladness, Killing of cattle and slaughtering of sheep, Eating of meat and drinking of wine: "8Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die."
14 But the LORD of hosts revealed Himself to me, "Surely this 9iniquity 10shall not be forgiven you 11Until you die," says the Lord GOD of hosts.
15 Thus says the Lord GOD of hosts, "Come, go to this steward, To 12Shebna, who is in charge of the royal household,
16 'What right do you have here, And whom do you have here, That you have 13hewn a tomb for yourself here, You who hew a tomb on the height, You who carve a resting place for yourself in the rock?
17 'Behold, the LORD is about to hurl you headlong, O man. And He is about to grasp you firmly
18 And roll you tightly like a ball, To be 14cast into a vast country; There you will die And there your splendid chariots will be, You shame of your master's house.'

Isaiah 22:8-18 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 14

  • 1. 1 Kings 7:2; 1 Kings 10:17
  • 2. 2 Kings 20:20; Nehemiah 3:16
  • 3. 2 Kings 25:4; Jeremiah 39:4
  • 4. 2 Kings 20:20; 2 Chronicles 32:3, 4
  • 5. Isaiah 32:11; Joel 1:13; Joel 2:17
  • 6. Micah 1:16
  • 7. Isaiah 5:11, 22; Isaiah 28:7, 8; Luke 17:26-29
  • 8. Isaiah 56:12; 1 Corinthians 15:32
  • 9. Isaiah 13:11; Isaiah 26:21; Isaiah 30:13; Isaiah 65:7
  • 10. 1 Samuel 3:14; Ezekiel 24:13
  • 11. Isaiah 65:20
  • 12. 2 Kin 18:18, 26, 37; Is 36:3, 11, 22; Isaiah 37:2
  • 13. 2 Samuel 18:18; 2 Chronicles 16:14; Matthew 27:60
  • 14. Job 18:18; Isaiah 17:13

Footnotes 10

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