Isaiah 22:10
Isaiah 22:10 in Multiple Translations
You counted the houses of Jerusalem and tore them down to strengthen the wall.
And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall.
and ye numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and ye brake down the houses to fortify the wall;
And you had the houses of Jerusalem numbered, pulling down the houses to make the wall stronger.
Your reviewed the number of houses in the city and demolished some to provide stone to repair the walls.
And yee nombred the houses of Ierusalem, and the houses haue yee broken downe to fortifie the wall,
And the houses of Jerusalem ye did number, And ye break down the houses to fence the wall.
You counted the houses of Jerusalem, and you broke down the houses to fortify the wall.
And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall.
And have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and broken down houses to fortify the wall.
You will inspect the houses in Jerusalem, and some of them you will tear down to use the stones to repair the city wall.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 22:10
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 22:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אֶת
בָּתֵּ֥י
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
סְפַרְתֶּ֑ם
וַ/תִּתְֿצוּ֙
הַ/בָּ֣תִּ֔ים
לְ/בַצֵּ֖ר
הַ/חוֹמָֽה
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
בָּתֵּ֥י
bayith
H1004
place
N-mp
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
Yᵉrûwshâlaim
H3389
Jerusalem
N-proper
סְפַרְתֶּ֑ם
çâphar
H5608
to recount
V-Qal-Perf-2mp
וַ/תִּתְֿצוּ֙
nâthats
H5422
to tear
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2mp
הַ/בָּ֣תִּ֔ים
bayith
H1004
place
Art | N-mp
לְ/בַצֵּ֖ר
bâtsar
H1219
to gather/restrain/fortify
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
הַ/חוֹמָֽה
chôwmâh
H2346
wall
Art | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 22:10
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בָּתֵּ֥י
bayith
H1004
"place"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
Yᵉrûwshâlaim
H3389
"Jerusalem"
N-proper
Jerusalem is the capital city of Palestine, also known as the city of peace. It was the chief city of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split.
Definition: § Jerusalem = "teaching of peace" the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split
Usage: Occurs in 600 OT verses. KJV: Jerusalem. See also: Joshua 10:1; 2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 24:6.
סְפַרְתֶּ֑ם
çâphar
H5608
"to recount"
V-Qal-Perf-2mp
This word refers to a scribe or secretary who records or inscribes information. It is used in the Bible to describe someone who counts or enumerates things. The KJV translates it as 'scribe, tell, writer'.
Definition: v 1) to count, recount, relate 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to count (things) 1a2) to number, take account of, reckon 1b) (Niphal) to be counted, be numbered 1c) (Piel) to recount, rehearse, declare 1c1) to recount (something), rehearse 1c2) to talk 1c3) to count exactly or accurately 1d) (Pual) to be recounted, be rehearsed, be related
Usage: Occurs in 154 OT verses. KJV: commune, (ac-) count; declare, number, [phrase] penknife, reckon, scribe, shew forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer. See also: Genesis 15:5; Esther 8:9; Psalms 2:7.
וַ/תִּתְֿצוּ֙
nâthats
H5422
"to tear"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2mp
The act of tearing down or destroying something, like a wall or a city, is what this word describes, and it can also mean to overthrow or defeat someone.
Definition: 1) to pull down, break down, cast down, throw down, beat down, destroy, overthrow, break out (teeth) 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pull down 1a2) to break down, break off 1b) (Niphal) to be pulled or broken down 1c) (Piel) to tear down 1d) (Pual) to be torn down 1e) (Hophal) to be broken, be broken down
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: beat down, break down (out), cast down, destroy, overthrow, pull down, throw down. See also: Exodus 34:13; 2 Chronicles 23:17; Psalms 52:7.
הַ/בָּ֣תִּ֔ים
bayith
H1004
"place"
Art | N-mp
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
לְ/בַצֵּ֖ר
bâtsar
H1219
"to gather/restrain/fortify"
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
This word means to gather or fortify, often used to describe harvesting grapes or building strong walls. It appears in the Bible to describe the gathering of crops, such as in the book of Isaiah. It can also mean to restrain or make something inaccessible.
Definition: 1) to gather, restrain, fence, fortify, make inaccessible, enclose 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut off 1a2) fortified, cut off, made inaccessible (pass participle) 1a3) secrets, mysteries, inaccessible things (subst) 1b) (Niphal) to be withheld 1c) (Piel) to fortify
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: cut off, (de-) fenced, fortify, (grape) gather(-er), mighty things, restrain, strong, wall (up), withhold. See also: Genesis 11:6; Job 42:2; Psalms 76:13.
הַ/חוֹמָֽה
chôwmâh
H2346
"wall"
Art | N-fs
A wall of protection, like the walls of Jerusalem, provided safety and security for the people. It appears in the Bible as a physical barrier. The Israelites built walls around their cities for defense.
Definition: wall
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: wall, walled. See also: Exodus 14:22; Nehemiah 6:15; Psalms 51:20.
Study Notes — Isaiah 22:10
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Isaiah 22:10 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 22:10
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 22:10
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 22:10
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 22:10
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 22:10
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 22:10
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 22:10
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 22:10
Context — The Valley of Vision
8He has uncovered the defenses of Judah. On that day you looked to the weapons in the House of the Forest.
9You saw that there were many breaches in the walls of the City of David. You collected water from the lower pool.
10You counted the houses of Jerusalem and tore them down to strengthen the wall.
11You built a reservoir between the walls for the waters of the ancient pool, but you did not look to the One who made it, or consider Him who planned it long ago. 12On that day the Lord GOD of Hosts called for weeping and wailing, for shaven heads and the wearing of sackcloth.Isaiah 22:10 Summary
[This verse is talking about a time when the people of Jerusalem were trying to get ready for a war by tearing down some houses to make their city wall stronger. They were trying to protect themselves, but they weren't looking to God for help (Isaiah 22:11). We can learn from this that it's not just about being prepared, but also about trusting in God and seeking His guidance, as we see in Psalm 20:7-8. By putting our trust in Him, we can have true security and peace.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of counting and tearing down houses in Jerusalem?
The purpose was to strengthen the wall, likely for defensive purposes, as the city was under threat (Isaiah 22:10, 2 Chronicles 32:5).
Is this verse related to any other events in the Bible?
Yes, this event is part of the broader context of the Assyrian invasion, which is also mentioned in 2 Kings 18:13-19:37 and 2 Chronicles 32:1-23.
How does this verse relate to the spiritual state of Jerusalem?
This verse suggests that the people of Jerusalem were more focused on physical preparations for war than on seeking God, as seen in their failure to look to Him who made and planned the city (Isaiah 22:11, Psalm 127:1-2).
What can we learn from the actions of the people in this verse?
We can learn the importance of prioritizing spiritual preparations and seeking God's guidance, rather than relying solely on human efforts, as taught in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 17:5-8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I prioritize physical security over spiritual security in my own life?
- How can I balance preparation and planning with trust in God's sovereignty?
- In what ways do I seek to strengthen my own spiritual defenses, and how can I improve in this area?
- What are some areas of my life where I need to tear down old, weak structures to build stronger, more secure ones, with God's help?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 22:10
And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem,.... To know what number of men were in them, and how many could be spared to do duty, either as watchmen or soldiers; or to know how to levy the tax, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 22:10
And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 22:10
Ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem; that they might exactly know their own strength, and the number of their people, and so lay the burdens more equally upon them, and make sufficient provisions for them. The houses which stood upon or without the walls of their city, and so gave their enemies any advantage against them, and hindered the searching or fortifying the walls and city.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 22:10
Isaiah 22:10 And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall.Ver. 10. And ye have numbered.] This they did not till now, that they might make the city more defensible, and the better keep out the enemy. General Vere told the King of Denmark, that kings cared not for soldiers and warlike preparations until such times as their crowns hang on the one side of their head.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 22:10
(10) Ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem.—The preparations for defence are continued. The houses were numbered that some might be pulled down and others left, as strategical plans might determine. (Comp. 2 Chronicles 32:5.) So in what was probably a contemporary psalm we have, “Walk about Zion . . . tell the towers thereof . . . mark ye well her bulwarks” (Psalms 48:12). So in the later siege of Jerusalem houses were thrown down by (or, more accurately, on account of) the mounds that were employed by the besiegers (Jeremiah 33:4).
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 22:10
10. And ye have numbered the houses] And ye numbered, apparently to see which could best be spared for the purpose specified in the next clause,—“to fortify the wall,” cf. Jeremiah 33:4.
Barnes' Notes on 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
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 22:10
8-11. He discovered the covering of Judah — “He” is indefinite, but from the verses following it is quite evident that it refers to the Jews.