Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 22

Introduction

Overview

Isaiah 22:1, The prophet laments the invasion of Jewry; Isaiah 22:8, He reproves their human wisdom and worldly joy; Isaiah 22:15, He prophesies Shebna’s deprivation, Isaiah 22:20. and the substitution of Eliakim, prefiguring the kingdom of Christ.

Verse 1

am cir, 3292, bc cir, 712

the valley: Jerusalem being situated in the midst of surrounding hills, and the seat of Divine revelation, is here termed "the valley of vision." This prophecy foretells the invasion of Jerusalem by the Assyrians under Sennacherib; and probably also, by the Chaldeans under Nebuchadnezzar. Psalms 125:2, Jeremiah 21:13

of vision: 1 Samuel 3:1, Psalms 147:19, Psalms 147:20, Proverbs 29:18, Micah 3:6, Romans 3:2, Romans 9:4, Romans 9:5

What: Genesis 21:17, Judges 18:23, 1 Samuel 11:5, 2 Samuel 14:5, 2 Kings 6:28, Psalms 114:5

that thou: The eastern houses are built with a court within, into which chiefly the windows open; those that open to the street being so obstructed with lattice work, that no one can see through them. Whenever, therefore, anything is to be seen or heard in the streets, any public spectacle, or any alarm, everyone immediately goes up to the house-top to satisfy his curiosity. Hence all the people running to the top of their houses, gives a lively image of a sudden general alarm. Isaiah 15:3, Deuteronomy 22:8, Jeremiah 48:38

Reciprocal: Isaiah 8:8 - he shall pass Isaiah 13:1 - burden Isaiah 13:4 - noise Jeremiah 18:22 - a cry Jeremiah 47:2 - then the Hosea 10:14 - shall a Nahum 1:1 - burden Habakkuk 1:1 - General

Verse 2

that art: Isaiah 22:12, Isaiah 22:13, Isaiah 23:7, Isaiah 32:13, Amos 6:3-6

thy slain: Isaiah 37:33, Isaiah 37:36, Jeremiah 14:18, Jeremiah 38:2, Jeremiah 52:6, Lamentations 2:20, Lamentations 4:9, Lamentations 4:10

Reciprocal: Isaiah 14:11 - pomp Lamentations 1:1 - full Ezekiel 26:13 - General Zephaniah 2:15 - the rejoicing

Verse 3

thy rulers: Isaiah 3:1-8, 2 Kings 25:4-7, 2 Kings 25:18-21, Jeremiah 39:4-7, Jeremiah 52:24-27

by the archers: Heb. of the bow

Reciprocal: Psalms 18:35 - gentleness Jeremiah 4:9 - that the heart

Verse 4

Look: Ruth 1:20, Ruth 1:21, Jeremiah 4:19, Jeremiah 9:1, Jeremiah 13:17, Luke 1:2

Weep bitterly: Heb. be bitter in weeping, Isaiah 33:7, Jeremiah 6:26, Micah 1:8, Matthew 26:75

labour: Psalms 77:2, Jeremiah 8:18, Jeremiah 31:15, Matthew 2:18

Reciprocal: Esther 4:1 - and cried Esther 4:3 - great mourning Isaiah 32:11 - be troubled Isaiah 51:19 - by whom Jeremiah 4:11 - daughter Jeremiah 9:18 - our eyes Jeremiah 47:2 - then the Jeremiah 48:3 - voice Lamentations 2:11 - for Ezekiel 21:6 - Sigh Ezekiel 27:31 - they shall weep Zephaniah 1:10 - the noise Zephaniah 1:14 - even Luke 21:25 - with

Verse 5

a day: Isaiah 37:3, 2 Kings 19:3, Jeremiah 30:7, Amos 5:18-20

treading: Isaiah 5:5, Isaiah 10:6, Isaiah 25:10

perplexity: Esther 3:15, Micah 7:4

breaking: 2 Kings 25:10, Lamentations 1:5, Lamentations 2:2

crying: Hosea 10:8, Matthew 24:16, Luke 23:30, Revelation 6:16, Revelation 6:17

Reciprocal: Isaiah 15:5 - destruction Isaiah 32:11 - be troubled Jeremiah 47:2 - then the Ezekiel 7:7 - the day Zephaniah 1:10 - the noise Zephaniah 1:14 - even Zephaniah 1:15 - is Luke 9:7 - he Luke 21:25 - with

Verse 6

Elam: Isaiah 21:2, Genesis 10:22, Jeremiah 49:35-39

Kir: Isaiah 15:1, 2 Kings 16:9, Amos 1:5, Amos 9:7

uncovered: Heb. made naked

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:1 - Elam 1 Chronicles 1:17 - Elam 1 Chronicles 19:17 - and set Jeremiah 25:25 - Elam

Verse 7

thy choicest valleys: Heb. the choice of thy valleys

full: Isaiah 8:7, Isaiah 8:8, Isaiah 10:28-32, Isaiah 37:34, Jeremiah 39:1-3

at: or, toward

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 19:17 - and set Jeremiah 1:15 - and they

Verse 8

he discovered: Isaiah 36:1-3

the armour: 1 Kings 7:2, 1 Kings 10:17, 1 Kings 14:27, 1 Kings 14:28, Song of Solomon 4:4

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 11:5 - built 2 Chronicles 32:3 - to stop Hosea 8:14 - and Judah

Verse 9

2 Kings 20:20, 2 Chronicles 32:1-6, 2 Chronicles 32:30

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 11:27 - the breaches 2 Kings 18:17 - the conduit of the upper pool 2 Chronicles 32:5 - he strengthened Isaiah 36:2 - the conduit Nahum 3:14 - Draw John 5:2 - pool

Verse 10

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 32:18 - forgotten 2 Chronicles 11:11 - he fortified 2 Chronicles 32:5 - he strengthened Ezekiel 21:20 - the defenced

Verse 11

a ditch: Nehemiah 3:16

ye have: Isaiah 8:17, Isaiah 17:7, Isaiah 31:1, Isaiah 37:26, 2 Chronicles 6:6, 2 Chronicles 16:7-9, Jeremiah 33:2, Jeremiah 33:3, Micah 7:7

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 32:18 - forgotten 2 Chronicles 11:11 - he fortified Psalms 28:5 - Because Zechariah 5:7 - talent John 5:2 - pool

Verse 12

call: 2 Chronicles 35:25, Nehemiah 8:9-12, Nehemiah 9:9, Ecclesiastes 3:4, Ecclesiastes 3:11, Joel 1:13, Joel 2:17, James 4:8-10, James 5:1

to baldness: Isaiah 15:2, Ezra 9:3, Job 1:20, Amos 8:10, Jonah 3:6, Micah 1:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:34 - General Exodus 33:5 - put off Leviticus 21:5 - not make baldness Leviticus 23:29 - that shall Numbers 25:6 - weeping Numbers 29:7 - afflict Judges 9:27 - did eat 2 Samuel 11:11 - shall I then 2 Samuel 12:16 - fasted 1 Kings 20:31 - put sackcloth 1 Kings 21:27 - lay in sackcloth 1 Chronicles 12:32 - understanding of the times 2 Chronicles 18:2 - Ahab Ezra 10:6 - he mourned Nehemiah 9:1 - children Esther 4:3 - great mourning Esther 4:16 - fast Job 16:15 - sewed Job 30:31 - General Psalms 69:11 - I made Psalms 137:4 - How shall Proverbs 19:10 - Delight Ecclesiastes 2:2 - It is Ecclesiastes 7:2 - better Ecclesiastes 7:14 - but Ecclesiastes 8:6 - therefore Isaiah 3:24 - baldness Isaiah 22:2 - that art Isaiah 29:9 - General Isaiah 32:13 - in the Isaiah 47:8 - given Jeremiah 4:8 - gird Jeremiah 6:26 - make thee Jeremiah 16:6 - nor cut Jeremiah 16:8 - General Jeremiah 51:39 - their heat Ezekiel 21:10 - should Ezekiel 27:31 - they shall make Daniel 5:1 - made Daniel 9:3 - with Hosea 9:1 - Rejoice Joel 1:8 - Lament Joel 2:12 - with fasting Amos 5:16 - Wailing Zechariah 7:3 - Should Matthew 9:15 - and then Matthew 24:38 - they Luke 5:35 - and Luke 17:27 - General Romans 13:13 - rioting James 4:9 - afflicted Revelation 11:3 - clothed Revelation 18:7 - much she

Verse 13

behold: Isaiah 5:12, Isaiah 21:4, Isaiah 21:5, Isaiah 56:12, Amos 6:3-7, Luke 17:26-29

let: Isaiah 56:12, 1 Corinthians 15:32, James 5:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 25:34 - eat Genesis 37:34 - General Judges 16:25 - their hearts 1 Samuel 30:16 - eating 1 Kings 4:20 - eating 2 Chronicles 18:2 - Ahab Job 21:12 - General Proverbs 23:20 - not Proverbs 23:35 - I will Ecclesiastes 2:2 - It is Ecclesiastes 3:4 - time to weep Isaiah 22:2 - that art Isaiah 29:9 - General Isaiah 32:13 - in the Isaiah 47:8 - given Ezekiel 16:49 - fulness Amos 6:4 - lie Zechariah 7:3 - Should Luke 12:19 - take Luke 15:13 - wasted Acts 14:17 - filling Romans 13:13 - rioting 1 Timothy 5:6 - she James 4:9 - afflicted James 5:1 - weep

Verse 14

it was: Isaiah 5:9, 1 Samuel 9:15, Amos 3:7

Surely: Numbers 15:25-31, 1 Samuel 3:14, Ezekiel 24:13, John 8:21-24, Hebrews 10:26, Hebrews 10:27, Revelation 22:11, Revelation 22:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 49:1 - Gather Leviticus 11:24 - General Leviticus 15:5 - General Leviticus 15:21 - General 2 Samuel 6:23 - unto the day Isaiah 21:5 - eat Isaiah 56:12 - to morrow Ezekiel 9:5 - hearing Ezekiel 16:49 - fulness Daniel 5:1 - made

Verse 15

treasurer: 1 Chronicles 27:25, Acts 8:27

Shebna: Isaiah 36:3, Isaiah 37:2, 2 Kings 18:18, 2 Kings 18:37, 2 Kings 19:2

which: 1 Kings 4:6, 2 Kings 10:5

Reciprocal: Isaiah 22:25 - the nail

Verse 16

What hast: Isaiah 52:5, Micah 2:10

hewed: There are some monuments still remaining in Persia, of great antiquity, says Bp. Lowth, called Naksi Rustam, which give a clear idea of Shebna's pompous design for his sepulchre. They consist of several sepulchres, each of them hewn in a high rock near the top. The front of the rock to the valley below is adorned with carved work in relief, being the outside of the sepulchre. Some of these sepulchres are about thirty feet in the perpendicular from the valley, which is itself raised perhaps about half as much by the accumulation of the earth since they were made. Isaiah 14:18, 2 Samuel 18:18, 2 Chronicles 16:14, Job 3:14, Matthew 27:60

as he: or, O he

Reciprocal: Genesis 50:5 - I have Judges 18:3 - and what hast Isaiah 22:25 - the nail Mark 15:46 - hewn Luke 16:22 - and was buried John 11:38 - It was John 19:41 - and in

Verse 17

will carry: etc. or, who covered thee with an excellent covering, and clothed thee gorgeously, shall surely violently turn, etc. Isaiah 22:18

a mighty captivity: Heb. the captivity of a man

cover: Esther 7:8, Job 9:24, Jeremiah 14:3

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 22:26 - General Ezekiel 21:24 - ye shall

Verse 18

surely: Isaiah 17:13, Amos 7:17

a large country: Heb. a land large of spaces

Reciprocal: Isaiah 22:17 - will carry Ezekiel 21:24 - ye shall Hosea 4:16 - as a lamb

Verse 19

Job 40:11, Job 40:12, Psalms 75:6, Psalms 75:7, Ezekiel 17:24, Luke 1:52

Reciprocal: Esther 8:2 - his ring Ezekiel 28:16 - therefore

Verse 20

Eliakim: Isaiah 36:3, Isaiah 36:11, Isaiah 36:22, Isaiah 37:2, 2 Kings 18:18, 2 Kings 18:37

Verse 21

clothe: Genesis 41:42, Genesis 41:43, 1 Samuel 18:4, Esther 8:2, Esther 8:15

a father: Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 9:7, Genesis 45:8

Reciprocal: Numbers 20:26 - General Judges 17:10 - a father Job 12:21 - weakeneth the strength of the mighty Isaiah 45:5 - I girded thee Ezekiel 23:15 - with girdles

Verse 22

And the key: As the robe and the baldric, mentioned in the preceding verse, were the ensigns of power and authority; so likewise was the key the mark of office, either sacred or civil. To comprehend how the key could be borne on the shoulder, it will be sufficient to observe, that the ancient keys were of considerable magnitude, and much bent. Matthew 16:18, Matthew 16:19, Revelation 1:18

so he: Job 12:14, Matthew 18:18, Matthew 18:19, Revelation 3:7

Reciprocal: Numbers 20:26 - General Job 31:36 - I Isaiah 9:6 - the government

Verse 23

I will: Ezra 9:8, Ecclesiastes 12:11, Zechariah 10:4

a glorious: Genesis 45:9-13, 1 Samuel 2:8, Esther 4:14, Esther 10:3, Job 36:7, Luke 22:29, Luke 22:30, Revelation 3:21

Reciprocal: Exodus 27:19 - all the pins thereof Exodus 38:20 - the pins

Verse 24

hang: Genesis 41:44, Genesis 41:45, Genesis 47:11-25, Daniel 6:1-3, Matthew 28:18, John 5:22-27, John 20:21-23

vessels of small: Ezekiel 15:3, Romans 9:22, Romans 9:23, 2 Timothy 2:20, 2 Timothy 2:21

vessels of flagons: or, instruments of viols

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 7:15 - vessels Zechariah 6:13 - bear

Verse 25

the nail: Isaiah 22:15, Isaiah 22:16

the burden: Esther 9:5-14, Esther 9:24, Esther 9:25, Psalms 52:5, Psalms 146:3, Jeremiah 17:5, Jeremiah 17:6

for the: Isaiah 46:11, Isaiah 48:15, Jeremiah 4:28, Ezekiel 5:13, Ezekiel 5:15, Ezekiel 5:17, Micah 4:4

Reciprocal: Isaiah 13:1 - burden Isaiah 24:3 - the Lord