Isaiah 22:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 22:1-7

The title of this prophecy is very observable. It is the burden of the valley of vision, of Judah and Jerusalem; so all agree. Fitly enough is Jerusalem called a valley, for the mountains were round about it, and the land of Judah abounded with fruitful valleys; and by the judgments of God, though they had been as a towering mountain, they should be brought low, sunk and depressed, and become dark and dirty, as a valley. But most emphatically is it called a valley of vision because there God... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 22:4

Therefore said I ,.... Not God to the ministering angels, as Jarchi; but the prophet to those that were about him, his relations, friends, and acquaintance: look away from me ; turn away from me, look another way; cease from me, let me alone; leave me to myself, that I may weep in secret, take my fill of sorrow, and give full vent to it: I will weep bitterly ; or, "I will be bitter", or, "bitter myself in weeping" F14 אמרר בבכי "amarificabo me in fletu", Montanus;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:1-14

A PROPHECY AGAINST JERUSALEM . The prophet, present in Jerusalem, either actually, or at any rate in spirit, sees the inhabitants crowded together upon the housetops, in a state of boisterous merriment ( Isaiah 22:1 , Isaiah 22:2 ). Outside the walls is a foreign army threatening the town ( Isaiah 22:5-7 ). Preparations have been made for resistance, which are described ( Isaiah 22:8-11 ); but there has been no turning to God. On the contrary, the danger has but made the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:1-14

Judgment upon Jerusalem. I. THE PROPHET AS SPECTATOR . The valley of vision seems to mean Jerusalem as a whole, round about which are mountains ( Psalms 125:2 ); the city is spoken of, when compared with the surrounding mountains, as the "inhabitant of the valley," otherwise as the "rock of the plain" ( Jeremiah 21:13 ; comp. Jeremiah 17:3 ). If Isaiah is gazing from his house in the lower town, the city would appear as in a valley in relation to the mountains inside as much... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:1-14

The sorrow of the world. We have here a striking picture of that which, in distinction from "godly sorrow," Paul calls "the sorrow of the world." I. THAT GOD SENDS SORROW TO HUMAN SOULS . These national distresses were to be of his sending; it was to be "a day of trouble … by the Lord of hosts" ( Isaiah 22:5 ). The human instrumentality would be visible enough, and both those who inflicted the blow and those who endured it—their enemies and themselves—might fail to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:4

Therefore said I. The prophet turns from the description of the scene before him to an account of his own feelings. Look away from me, he says ; "leave me free to vent my sorrow without restraint; I wish for no consolation—only leave me to myself." Because of the spoiling . The word used sometimes means" destruction;" but" spoiling" is a better rendering here. Sennacherib describes his "spoiling" of Jerusalem on this occasion as follows: "Thirty talents of gold, eight hundred talents of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:4

Christian patriotism. The profound concern which the prophet of the Lord displays for "the daughter of his people," showing us that the reception and the record of the prophetic vision did not interfere with his strong feelings as a Hebrew patriot, may suggest thoughts on Christian patriotism. This is to be clearly distinguished from: 1. The exaggerated self-consciousness or vain-gloriousness which some "patriots" exhibit. 2. The exclusiveness of spirit which others betray. 3.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:4

A time to weep. "Therefore I say, Look away from me; let me weep bitterly." Eastern weeping is excessive, unrestrained. Westerns go to the other extreme, and severely repress all expressions and signs 'of emotion. Eastern grief is often exaggerated, and it is in danger of being conventional and even hypocritical. Public weeping, at least on the part of the prophets, became a testimony and a warning. It belonged to their teaching by signs. Isaiah's weeping here drew public attention, and led... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:4-6

Isaiah weeping for the daughter of his people a type of Christ lamenting over Jerusalem. Isaiah was in many respects a type of Christ. His name, which sight ties "Salvation of Jehovah," is a near equivalent of "Jesus," which means "Jehovah is Savior." Tradition says that he was of royal lineage, like Jesus. The sphere of his teaching was in the main Jerusalem, where our Lord's principal discourses were delivered. He reproved sin, yet pitied the sinner, like Jesus (see Homiletics on Isaiah... 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

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