Tyndale Open Study NotesIsaiah 22

This message addresses the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem in 701 BC (see Isaiah 36–37; 2 Kings 18:17–19:37). It may also refer to the people's preparation for the later Babylonian siege from 588 to 586 BC.

The prophet scolds the people for celebrating the Assyrian retreat in 701 BC. They did not predict that the Babylonian army would later, in 586 BC, finish what the Assyrians could not: the destruction of Jerusalem.

This is the burden against the Valley of Vision: The meaning of the Hebrew phrase is unclear. If it refers to Jerusalem (see Isaiah 22:5), it is ironic. Jerusalem is on a hill, and people did not usually think visions came from a valley. Similarly, Jerusalem was proud of its supposed religious vision, but its people were spiritually blind (see Isaiah 6:10; 42:18).

• The city celebrated with feasting and drinking (Isaiah 22:13; see 23:7; 32:13), likely because the Assyrians retreated. Now, a new threat approaches: the Babylonian siege in 586 BC.

• The people did not die in battle but from famine and disease. The siege cut them off from food and caused a sanitation and health crisis.

Leaders might try to flee, but they would not escape (see 2 Kings 25:4–6).

let me weep bitterly!: Isaiah grieved for the victims and the destruction of his people (see Isaiah 6:13).

The defeat of Judah would show what the future day of the Lord will be like (see study note on Isaiah 2:5–22). Jerusalem would have no power to save itself in that time of disaster.

The invading Babylonians broke Jerusalem's walls using battering rams (2 Kings 25:4).

• Elam: Elam was east of Babylon and later helped defeat Babylon (see Isaiah 21:2; also Jeremiah 49:34–39).

• The exact location of Kir is unknown (see also Amos 1:5).

Your choicest valleys: This refers to the Kidron and Hinnom valleys, which were located to the east and south of Jerusalem.

The people of Jerusalem prepared for war. They counted their weapons, inspected the city walls, and made sure they had enough water.

However, they did not think about God’s plans (see Isaiah 13:1–14:23). They focused on their own efforts instead of seeking the Lord.

King Hezekiah played an important role in these preparations. However, the verbs in this passage are plural. Isaiah was speaking to the people as a group, not only to Hezekiah. This is different from the way Isaiah addressed Hezekiah’s father, Ahaz (Isaiah 7:1–4).

to the weapons: This large and impressive building stored weapons. It also stored valuable items (see Isaiah 39:2; 1 Kings 7:2–6).

• the City of David: Calling Jerusalem the city of David brings to mind Israel’s greatest king and God's blessing on him and the nation (see also Isaiah 60:14).

• You collected water from the lower pool: Hezekiah worked hard to ensure a steady water supply (see Isaiah 22:11; 2 Kings 20:20).

Judah’s feasting and disobedience resulted in a prophecy of judgment.

this sin of yours will never be atoned for: The people of Judah kept adding sin to sin. Because of this, God would rightly judge and condemn them.

This warning looked ahead to the exile. The exile happened in 586 BC. However, Isaiah was already warning about it as early as 701 BC.

Shebna and Eliakim were two royal officials in King Hezekiah’s court (see 2 Kings 18:18; 19:2). Shebna believed the Assyrians would surely kill him. So he planned for a well-decorated burial place (Isaiah 22:16).

Although the rebuke of Shebna happened before Assyria’s siege of Jerusalem in 701 BC (see Isaiah 22:19–21; 36:3), it relates well to the warnings in 22:1–13 about the later Babylonian siege.

• Shebna's actions show that the people do not trust God to save Jerusalem from the Assyrian attack.

• A palace administrator had the top position in the royal court (see Isaiah 22:21–22).

Shebna was building an impressive tomb for himself. It was meant to be a monument. This large and costly burial place was designed to last for many generations.

• sling you into a wide land: Shebna would not find a resting place or have a memorial (compare Isaiah 14:11–20).

• your glorious chariots: In his high position, Shebna lived in luxury.

remove you from office: Shebna (Isaiah 22:15) was demoted to court secretary by the time of Jerusalem’s siege. Eliakim (Isaiah 22:20) was the palace administrator (36:3). Eliakim was a true servant of the Lord.

A leader is like a father to the people when he truly cares for them and addresses their needs. In contrast, Shebna was concerned only for himself.

• The key to the house of David represents a high position of honor in the royal court (see also Revelation 3:7).

• What he opens… what he shuts: The highest-ranking officer has the sole authority to grant access to the king (compare Matthew 16:19).

the peg … will give way: Even righteous Eliakim could not save Judah or David's family line from God's judgment. The people of Judah would go into exile over a hundred years later (Isaiah 39:6–7).