Isaiah 22

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:11

Ye made also a ditch - That is, they made a “reservoir” to retain the water. The word ‘ditch,’ however, will well describe the character of the pool of Gihon on the west side of the city (see the notes at Isaiah 7:3).Between the two walls for the water of the old pool - Hezekiah built one of these walls himself (2 Chronicles 32:5, 2 Chronicles 32:30; compare 2 Kings 25:5, and Jeremiah 39:4). Between these two walls the water would be collected so as to be accessible to the inhabitants of the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:12

And in that day - In the invasion of Sennacherib. It might be rendered, ‘And the Lord, Yahweh of hosts, on such a day calls to weeping;’ intimating that in such a time it was a general truth that God required those who were thus afflicted to weep, and fast, and pray.Call to weeping - That is, by his providence; or, it was “proper” that at such a time they should weep. Affliction, oppression, and calamity are indications from God “always” that we ought to be humbled, and to prostrate ourselves... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:13

And behold ... - When they ought to give themselves to fasting and prayer, they gave themselves up to revelry and riot.Let us eat and drink - Saying, Let us eat and drink. That is, it is inevitable that we must soon die. The army of the Assyrian is approaching, and the city cannot stand against him. It is in vain to make a defense, and in vain to call upon God. Since we “must” soon die, we may as well enjoy life while it lasts. This is always the language of the epicure; and it seems to be the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:14

It was revealed in mine ears, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you until ye die - That is, the sin is so aggravated that it shall never be expiated or pardoned. Few sins can be more aggravated than revelry and riot, thoughtlessness and mirth over the grave. Nothing can show a more decided disregard of God, and nothing a more grovelling and sensual disposition. And yet, it is the common sin of the world; and there can be nothing more melancholy than that a race hastening to the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:15

Analysis of Isaiah 22:15-25. - Vision 20.The remainder of this chapter Isaiah 22:15-25 is occupied with a prediction respecting Shebna, and the promotion of Eliakim in his place. From the prophecy itself it appears that Shebna was prefect of the palace Isaiah 22:15, or that he was in the highest authority in the time of Hezekiah. That he was an unprincipled ruler is evident from the prophecy, and hence, Isaiah was directed to predict his fall, and the elevation of another in his place. Whether... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:16

What hast thou here? - This verse contains a severe repoof of the pride and ostentation of Shebna, and of his expectation that he would be buried where be had built his own tomb. It also contains an “implied” declaration that he would not be permitted to lie there, but would be removed to a distant land to be buried in some less honorable manner. It is probable that Isaiah met him when he was at the sepulchre which he had made, and addressed this language to him there: ‘What hast thou here?... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:17

Behold, the Lord will carry thee away - Of the historical fact here referred to we have no other information. To what place he was to be carried, we know not. It is probable, however, that it was to Assyria.With a mighty captivity - Hebrew, גבר geber - ‘Of a man,’ or perhaps, ‘O man.’ If it means ‘the captivity of a man,’ the sense is, a strong, irresistible, mighty captivity where the word “man” is emphatic, and means such as a mighty man would make. Compare Job 38:3 : ‘Gird up now thy loins... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:18

He will surely violently turn - Lowth has well expressed the sense of this:He will whirl thee round and round, and cast thee away.Thus it refers to the action of throwing a stone with a “sling,” when the sling is whirled round and round several times before the string is let go, in order to increase the velocity of the stone. The idea is here, that God designed to cast him into a distant land, and that he would give such an “impulse” to him that he would be sent afar, so far that he would not... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:19

And from thy state - From thy office; thy place of trust and responsibility.Shall he pull thee down - That is, “God” shall do it. The prophet here uses the third person instead of the first. Such a change of person is very common in the writings of the prophets (see Stuart’s “Heb. Gram.” 563-565, sixth Ed.) read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:20

My servant Eliakim - A man who will be faithful to me; who will be trustworthy, and to whom the interests of the city may be safely confided; a man who will not seek to betray it into the hands of the enemy. Of Eliakim we know nothing more than what is stated here, and in Isaiah 36:0. From that account it appears that he was prefect of the palace; that he was employed in a negotiation with the leader of the army of the Assyrians; and that he was in all things faithful to the trust reposed in... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:11

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:13

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:14

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:15

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:17

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:18

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:19

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:20

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