Isaiah 22

Chap. XXII. Ver. 1—25. The burden (or oracle) of the Valley of Vision—The prophecy which begins this chapter, and ends with verse 14, relates to Jerusalem; but why this should be called the valley of vision, is not so easy to explain, especially as Jerusalem was not built in a valley, but on two hills, Zion and Moriah, on the side of the latter of which stood the temple; where the Lord usually revealed himself, and which was the more usual residence of the seers, or those who saw visions. But though Jerusalem was not properly a valley, but an elevated situation, yet was it much lower (according to name) than the mountains by which it was surrounded. This, indeed, is not very satisfactory; there can be little doubt, however, of its being so called, though we may not be able to determine why. The prophecy foretels the invasion of that city by the Assyrians, under Sennacherib; or by the Chaldeans, under Nebuchadnezzar; or probably it may have a view to both.

So Vitringa and Bp. Horsley. (See the notes.) The prophecy concerning Shebna, the treasurer, which comes next, (ver. 15—25.) seems to have little or no relation to the foregoing, only that Shebna appears to have been a principal person among those whose luxury and profaneness the prophet (2 Kings 16:9). [Ancient warriors were particularly attentive to their shields, had been reprehending. Eliakim, who is spoken of as his successor, according to the prediction, was actually treasurer in the time of Sennacherib’s invasion. ((Isaiah 36:22). (2 Kings 18:18).) In the last verse, the sentence against Shebna is confirmed. He who appeared firmly fixed in his office, as a nail, or peg, inserted into the wall from its erection, shall be removed, and Hilkiah fill his place, who, both from his character and office, is here

represented as a type of the Messiah. (Comp. ver. 21—24, with (Isaiah 9:6-7), and (Revelation 3:7).)

Notes on the verses

Chap. XXII. Ver. 1. The bigs | q vision.—Some think mount Moriah, on which the temple stood, was called the mount of vision, because there the Lord appeared to Abraham. See (Genesis 22:14). Possibly the term valley may be used mystically, as “* the valley of death!” but this is offered only as a suggestion.—Gone up to the house-tops.—{The eastern houses are built with a court within, into which chiefly the windows open; those that open to the street being so obstructed with lattice work, that no one can see through them. Whenever therefore any thing is to be seen or heard in the streets, any public spectacle, or any alarm, every one immediately goes up to the house-top to satisfy his curiosity.

Hence all the people running to the top of their houses, gives a lively image of a sudden general alarm.]—Bagster. Ver. 3. All thy rulers are fled.—This is supposed to allude to the flight of Zedekiah and his attendants, who were pursued and overtaken, and, it is here said, were bound by the archers. Compare (2 Kings 25:4-5). Ver. 6. Kir uncovered the shield.—Kir was a city of the Medes, subject to the Assyrians in Hezekiah’s time; and so perhaps under the Persians. See which they took care frequently to scour, polish, and anoint; after which they — placed in a case, when not in use, to prevent them from becoming rusty.] Ver. 8. And he discovered the covering of Judah.—Lowth, “The barrier of Judah shall be laid open.”——To the armour.—Lowth, “To the arsenal.”

Ver. 9. Ye gathered together the waters.—This verse evidently alludes to the precautions taken by Hezekiah. Ver. 8 to 11. Bishop Lowth renders in the future, and is followed by Dr. Pember. — Ver. 12. But ye have not looked unto the Maker thereof —“Look not to him that hath disposed this.” 0 rea: Ver. 14. Till ye die.—That is, so long as you live, my judgments shall follow you. Ver. 15. Even unto Shebna.—This Shebna, according to Lowth, was a different person from the scribe mentioned ch. xxxvi. 3. [This prophecy concerning Shebna seems to have been delivered about the same time as the preceding; and probably he was a principal person among those whose luxury and profaneness are so severely reprehended by the prophet.]—Bagster.

Ver. 16. A sepulchre here, &c.—Lowth, “For thyself, © thou that hewest out here a sepulchre for thyself.” This was considered as a mark of great vanity and ambition. [There are some monuments, still remaining in Persia, of great antiquity, says Bishop Lowth, called Naksi Rustam, which give a clear idea of Shebna’s pompous design for his sepulchre. They consist of several sepulchres, each of them hewn in a high rock near the top. The front of the rock to the valley below is adorned with carved work in relief, being the outside of the sepulchre. Some of these sepulchres are about thirty feet in the perpendicular from the valley; which is itself raised perhaps about half as much by the accumulation of the earth since they were made.]—Bagster.

Ver. 17. And will surely cover thee.—See margin; that is, thy face; as was the custom with persons disgraced, or condemned. See Esther vi. 12.—Vil. 8. Ver. 18. And toss thee like a ball—That is, toss thee as a ball, or a stone, in a sling.—Into a large country.—Lowth, “A wide country,” where he should die in captivity. Ver. 20. Eliakim.—The same mentioned Isaiah xxxvi. 22.; xxxvii. 2. This Isaiah. Compare ch. ix. 6. 5 Ver. 22. Key… upon his shoulder.—[As the robe and the baldric, observes Bishop Lowth, mentioned in the preceding verse, were the ensigns of power and authority; so likewise was the mark of office, either sacred or civil. The priestess of Juno is said to be the key-bearer of the goddess.

To comprehend how the key could be borne on the shoulder, it will be sufficient to observe, that the ancient keys were of considerable magnitude, and much bent.]—Bagster. 4 Fi) Ver. 23. A nail in a sure place.—That is, a permanent situation. See note on (Ezra 9:8). (Ecclesiastes 12:11). Ver. 24. To all the vessels of flagons.—Lowth, “To pie: sort of meaner vessels;” literally, “bottles;” (i.e. earthen bottles,) i.e. all the other offices of government shall depend on him. Compare xli. 40—44. CuHap. XXIII. Ver. 1. Tyre.—[Tyre, whose destruction by Nebuchadnezzar is here foretold, was a city of Phenicia, on the shore of the Mediterranean, twenty-four miles south of Sidon, and thirty-two north of Accho or Ptolemais, according to the Antonine and Jerusalem Itineraries, about latitude 33° 18′ N. longitude 35° 10′ E. There were two cities of this name; one on the continent called Pale Tyrus, or Old Tyre, according to Strabo, thirty stadia south of the other, which was situated on an island, not above seven hundred paces from the main land, says Pliny. Old Tyre was taken by Nebuchadnezzar, after a siege of thirteen years, B.C. 573. (Josephus;) which he so utterly destroyed, that it never afterwards rose higher than a villa: But previous to this, the inhabitants had removed their effects to the island; which afterwards became so famous by the name of Tyre, though now consisting of only about eight hundred dwellings.]—Bagster.—For it (i.e. By its laid waste…. no entering in.—Boothroyd, “Nor any to enter it.”

Both houses and inhabitants were destroyed—From the land of Chittim;—i.e. the isles and coast of the Mediterranean; for Jerome says, “they fled in their ships, and took refuge in Carthage, and in the isles of the Ionian and Aegean sea.” So also Rabbi Jarchi. Ver. 3. By great waters.—Boothroyd, “The seed of Sihor, (or Sichor,) amidst abundant waters.” The Nile was called Sichor, (and by the Greeks, Meias,) for its black mud, which rendered Egypt so fertile that it supplied with corn (here called its seed) all the surrounding countries. Ver. 4. Be thou ashamed, O Zidon.—Zidon (or Sidon) was considered as the mother of Tyre, which was built by the Sidonians, when they lost their own city.—The strength of the sea.—Lowth, “The mighty fortress of the sea.” ——I travail not, &c.—Taking the words as in our translation, they imply that the population of Tyre was stopped, which may probably be the sense of the prophet; but Bishop Lowth, supplying the particle of comparison, “as,”

renders the verse in the past tense; “I am as if I had not travailed, nor brought forth,” &c. that is, I am bereaved of all my children. Ver. 5. As at the report.—Boothroyd, “As if the report had been concerning Egypt,” &c.; Jer. 7. Of ancient days.—See (Joshua 19:29).——A far off.—Lowth, “Far away” to sojourn.; Ver. 8. The crowning city.—Lowth, “Who dispensed crowns.” Ver. 10. Daughter of Tarshish.—(Tyre is probably called the “daughter of Tarshish,” from the close connexion and perpetual intercourse between them, to which the former owed much of her greatness.)—Bagster. Ver. 12. To Chittim.—See note, ver. 1. “The Sidonians,” says Justin, “when their city was taken by the king of Ascalon, betook themselves to their ships; and landed and built Tyre.”

Sidon was therefore the mother. Ver. 13. And he brought it to ruin.—Lowth, “This people (i.e. the Chaldeans) hath reduced her to ruin.” In the days of Job, the Chaldeans were freebooters, like the Arabs. See (Job 1:17). Ver. 15. The days of one king—That is, of one kingdom, (Daniel 7:17).; viii. 20. Tyre was conquered early in the reign of Nebuchadnezzar; from the commencement of his reign to the taking of Babylon by Cyrus, was seventy years. Compare (Jeremiah 25:11).—Lowth. Sing as a harlot—That is, with great gayety and mirth. Compare (Revelation 18:3, 7, 22), &c.: