Isaiahchapter 22

25 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 216 cross-references outward and receives 219 — heaviest partner: Isaiah.

Chapter summary

Jerusalem itself — "the valley of vision" — receives a burden alongside the foreign nations. The city crowds its housetops in tumult while its rulers flee and are bound without a battle; Elam bears the quiver and Kir uncovers the shield at the gates. Judah's response is purely practical: weapons from the house of the forest, counted houses broken down to fortify the wall, a reservoir between the two walls — but no look toward "him that had done this." When Jehovah calls for weeping, the city feasts instead: "let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we shall die," an iniquity not forgiven till death. The chapter then turns personal: Shebna the treasurer, hewing himself a grand tomb, will be hurled away like a ball, and Eliakim the son of Hilkiah receives his robe, his government, and the key of the house of David — opening what none shut — language Revelation 3:7 applies to Christ. Yet even this fastened nail will one day give way.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Prophecy · Isaiah — see the Isaiah overview for the book's full setting.

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;