Isaiah 22:1-14

An Oracle against Jerusalem

1 An oracle against the Valley of Vision: What's the matter with you? Why have all of you gone up to the rooftops?
2 The noisy city, the jubilant town, is filled with revelry. Your dead did not die by the sword; they were not killed in battle.
3 All your rulers have fled together, captured without a bow. All your fugitives were captured together; they had fled far away.
4 Therefore I said, "Look away from me! Let me weep bitterly! Do not try to comfort me about the destruction of my dear[a] people."
5 For the Lord God of Hosts had a day of tumult, trampling, and bewilderment in the Valley of Vision- people shouting[b] and crying to the mountains;
6 Elam took up a quiver with chariots and horsemen,[c] and Kir uncovered the shield.
7 Your best valleys were full of chariots, and horsemen were positioned at the gates.
8 He removed the defenses of Judah. On that day you looked to the weapons in the House of the Forest.[d]
9 You saw that there were many breaches in [the walls of] the city of David. You collected water from the lower pool.
10 You counted the houses of Jerusalem so that you could tear them down to fortify the wall.
11 You made a reservoir between the walls for the waters of the ancient pool, but you did not look to the One who made it, or consider the One who created it long ago.
12 On that day the Lord God of Hosts called for weeping, for wailing, for shaven heads, and for the wearing of sackcloth.
13 But look: joy and gladness, butchering of cattle, slaughtering of sheep, eating of meat, and drinking of wine- "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!"
14 The Lord of Hosts has revealed [this] in my hearing: "This sin of yours will never[e] be wiped out." The Lord God of Hosts has spoken.

Isaiah 22:1-14 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.

Footnotes 5

  • [a]. Lit of the daughter of my
  • [b]. Or Vision-a tearing down of a wall, or Vision-Kir raged; Hb obscure
  • [c]. Lit chariots of man
  • [d]. 1 Kg 7:2; 10:17
  • [e]. Lit will not until you die
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