Isaiah 22

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:1

The burden - (see the note at Isaiah 13:1). “The valley” גיא gay'. Septuagint, Φάραγγος Pharangos - ‘Valley.’ Chaldee, ‘The burden of the prophecy respecting the city which dwells (that is, is built) in the valley, which the prophets have prophesied concerning it.’ There can be no doubt that Jerusalem is intended (see Isaiah 22:9-10). It is not usual to call it “a valley,” but it may be so called, either(1) because there were several valleys “within” the city and adjacent to it, as the vale... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:2

Thou that art full of stirs - Of tumult, of commotion, of alarm. Or, perhaps, this whole description may mean that it was formerly a city distinguished for the hum of business, or for pleasure; a busy, active, enterprising city. The Hebrew will bear this, but I prefer the former interpretation, as indicating mingled alarm and consternation, and at the same time a disposition to engage in riot and revelry.A joyous city - A city exulting; rejoicing; given to pleasure, and to riot. (See the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:3

All thy rulers are fled together - The general idea in this verse is plain. It is designed to describe the consternation which would take place on the approach of the invader, and especially the timidity and flight of those on whom the city relied for protection and defense. Hence, instead of entering calmly and firmly on the work of defense, no inconsiderable part of the rulers of the city are represented as fleeing from the city, and refusing to remain to protect the capital. The word... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:4

Look away from me - Do not look upon me - an indication of deep grief, for sorrow seeks to be alone, and grief avoids publicity and exposure.I will weep bitterly - Hebrew, ‘I will be bitter in weeping.’ Thus we speak of “bitter” sorrow, indicating excessive grief (see the note at Isaiah 15:5; compare Jeremiah 13:17; Jeremiah 14:17; Lamentations 1:16; Lamentations 2:11; Micah 1:8-9).Labour not - The sense is, ‘My grief is so great that I cannot be comforted. There are no topics of consolation... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:5

For it is a day of trouble and of treading down - When our enemies trample on everything sacred and dear to us, and endanger all our best interests (see Psalms 44:6; Luke 21:24).And of perplexity - In which we know not what to do. We are embarrassed, and know not where to look for relief.By the Lord God of hosts - That is, he is the efficient cause of all this. It has come upon us under his providence, and by his direction (see the note at Isaiah 10:5).In the valley of vision - In Jerusalem... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:6

And Elam - The southern part of Persia, perhaps used here to denote Persia in general (see the note at Isaiah 21:2). Elam, or Persia, was at this time subject to Assyria, and their forces were united doubtless in the invasion of Judea.Bare the quiver - A ‘quiver’ is a case in which arrows are carried. This was usually hung upon the shoulders, and thus “borne” by the soldier when he entered into battle. By the expression here, is meant that Elam was engaged in the siege, and was distinguished... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:7

Thy choicest valleys - Hebrew, ‘The choice of thy galleys;’ meaning the most fertile and most valued lands in the vicinity of the city. The rich and fertile vales around Jerusalem would be occupied by the armies of the Assyrian monarch. What occurs in this verse and the following verses to Isaiah 22:14, is a prophetic description of what is presented historically in Isaiah 36:0, and 2 Chronicles 32:0. The coincidence is so exact, that it leaves no room to doubt that the invasion here described... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:8

And he discovered - Hebrew, ויגל vayegal - ‘He made naked, or bare.’ The expression, ‘He discovered,’ means simply that it “was” uncovered, without designating the agent.The covering of Judah - The word used here (מסך mâsak) denotes properly “a covering,” and is applied to the “curtain” or veil that was before the tabernacle Exodus 26:36; Exodus 39:38; and to the curtain that was before the gate of the court Exodus 35:17; Exodus 39:40. The Septuagint understands it of the “gates” of Judah,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:9

Ye have seen also the breaches - You who are inhabitants of the city. That such breaches were actually made, see 2 Chronicles 32:5.Of the city of David - Of Jerusalem, so called because it was the royal residence of David. Zion was usually called the city of David, but the name was given also to the entire city.And ye gathered together ... - That is, Hezekiah and the people of the city collected those waters.Of the lower pool - (For a description of the upper and lower pool, see the notes at... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:10

And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem - That is, you have taken an estimate of their number so as to ascertain how many can be spared to be pulled down to repair the walls; or you have made an estimate of the amount of materials for repairing the walls, which would be furnished by pulling down the houses in Jerusalem.To fortify the wall - The houses in Jerusalem were built of stone, and therefore they would furnish appropriate materials for repairing the walls of the city. In 2... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:10

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