Isaiah 22:23-25

     23. nail . . . sure place—Large nails or pegs stood in ancient houses on which were suspended the ornaments of the family. The sense is: all that is valuable to the nation shall rest securely on him. In Ezr 9:8 "nail" is used of the large spike driven into the ground to fasten the cords of the tent to.

      throne—resting-place to his family, as applied to Eliakim; but "throne," in the strict sense, as applied to Messiah, the antitype (Lu 1:32, 33).

     24. Same image as in Isa 22:23. It was customary to "hang" the valuables of a house on nails (1Ki 10:16, 17, 21; So 4:4).

      offspring and the issue—rather, "the offshoots of the family, high and low" [VITRINGA]. Eliakim would reflect honor even on the latter.

      vessels of cups—of small capacity: answering to the low and humble offshoots.

      vessels of flagons—larger vessels: answering to the high offshoots.

     25. nail . . . fastened—Shebna, who was supposed to be firmly fixed in his post.

      burden . . . upon it—All that were dependent on Shebna, all his emoluments and rank will fail, as when a peg is suddenly "cut down," the ornaments on it fall with it. Sin reaches in its effects even to the family of the guilty (Ex 20:5).

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