Isaiah 22:1-14

Jerusalem Rebuked

A severe rebuke of the conduct of the people of Jerusalem in a time of calamity. The crisis refered to cannot be certainly identified. The difficulty in assigning the passage to Sennacherib’s invasion (701 b.c.) is that other prophecies relating to it are marked by encouragement, not, as here, by a tone of rebuke. Perhaps the present prophecy should be dated 711, the time of Sargon’s invasion.

1-7. The unworthy behaviour of the people of Jerusalem when attack is imminent.

8-11. Every measure is taken for defence except to turn to Jehovah.

12-14. Instead of mourning, they give themselves to reckless revelry. Such conduct must bring destruction as its punishment.

1. Valley of vision] This expression in the title is evidently taken from Isaiah 22:5. It is generally understood to signify Jerusalem.

Housetops] the natural place of concourse (Judges 16:27). The city is apparently en fete (Isaiah 22:13).

2. The joy is the forced gaiety of despair (Isaiah 22:13). Slain] It is implied that they have died through famine.

3. Which. . far] RV ’they fled afar off.’

4. Daughter] poetical personification of the people (Isaiah 10:32).

5. By the Lord] RV ’from the Lord.’ Valley of vision] Jerusalem may be so designated as being the home of prophetic vision.

6. Elam.. Kir] peoples who furnished auxiliaries to the Assyrian army. Uncovered] took off its case in preparation for battle.

7. Shall be.. shall set] RV ’were.. set.’

S. Discovered, etc.] RV ’took away the covering,’ which concealed the danger from the people’s eyes. Thou didst look] The people of Judah are addressed. Instead of looking to Jehovah for help, they rely wholly on their material resources. House of the forest] i.e. the house of the forest of Lebanon (1 Kings 7:2; 1 Kings 10:17), part of Solomon’s palace, used as an armoury.

9. Seen] i.e. inspected. Isaiah 22:9-10 refer to hasty measures taken for defence.

Gathered together, etc.] to secure a supply during the siege.

10. Numbered] to see what material could be spared for strengthening the fortifications.

11. Ditch] RV ’reservoir.’

The old pool] probably the pool of Siloam.

The maker thereof] RV ’him that hath done this,’ i.e. God who has brought this trouble upon them.

12. Weeping] the outward tokens of national repentance.

13. The reckless enjoyment of the despairing people, who urged the shortness of the time that remained to them as an excuse for their excesses. Let us eat, etc.] the argument of men who believed in no hereafter (1 Corinthians 15:32).