Isa 22 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Isa 22:1-25: 22:1-25 This message addresses the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem in 701 BC (see chs 36–37 ; 2 Kgs 18:17–19:37 ) and perhaps the people’s preparation for the subsequent Babylonian siege in 588–586 BC . Summary for Isa 22:1-4: 22:1-4 The prophet rebukes the people for their excitement over the Assyrian retreat (701 BC ). They did not foresee that the Babylonian army would later (in 586 BC ) complete what the Assyrians failed to do, namely, the destruction of Jerusalem. 22:1 concerning Jerusalem—the Valley of Vision: The meaning of the Hebrew phrase is uncertain. Assuming that it refers to Jerusalem (see 22:5 ), it is ironic: Jerusalem sits atop a hill, and visions were not typically thought to originate in a valley. Similarly, Jerusalem was proud of its self-perceived religious vision , but its inhabitants were spiritually blind (see 6:10 ; 42:18 ).

Summary for Isa 22:1-25: 22:1-25 ^a This message addresses the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem in 701 BC (see chs 36–37 ^b; 2 Kgs 18:17–19:37 ^c) and perhaps the people’s preparation for the subsequent Babylonian siege in 588–586 BC.
Summary for Isa 22:1-4: 22:1-4 ^d The prophet rebukes the people for their excitement over the Assyrian retreat (701 BC). They did not foresee that the Babylonian army would later (in 586 BC) complete what the Assyrians failed to do, namely, the destruction of Jerusalem. 22:1 ^e concerning Jerusalem—the Valley of Vision: The meaning of the Hebrew phrase is uncertain. Assuming that it refers to Jerusalem (see 22:5 ^f), it is ironic: Jerusalem sits atop a hill, and visions were not typically thought to originate in a valley. Similarly, Jerusalem was proud of its self-perceived religious vision, but its inhabitants were spiritually blind (see 6:10 ^g; 42:18 ^h).
22:2 ⁱ The reveling city was full of feasting and drinking (22:13 ^j; see 23:7 ^k; 32:13 ^l), probably in response to the Assyrian retreat. Now a new threat approaches—the Babylonian siege (586 BC).

• The people died not in battle but by famine and disease. Siege warfare left the inhabitants of the city cut off from needed agricultural resources and in a terrible sanitation and health crisis.
22:3 ^m Leaders might try to flee, but they would not escape (see 2 Kgs 25:4-6 ⁿ).
22:4 ^o Leave me alone to weep: Isaiah mourned the victims and the decimation of his people (see 6:13 ^p).
Summary for Isa 22:5-8: 22:5-8 ^q The defeat of Judah would be a manifestation of the yet-future day of the Lord (see study note on 2:5-22). Jerusalem would be impotent in the day of disaster. 22:5 ^r Jerusalem’s walls were broken by the invading Babylonians, who breached them with battering rams (2 Kgs 25:4 ^s).
22:6 ^t Elamites: Elam was to the east of Babylon and would later play a role in Babylon’s defeat (see 21:2 ^u; also Jer 49:34-39 ^v).

• The actual location of Kir is unknown (see also Amos 1:5 ^w).
22:7 ^x The Kidron and Hinnom valleys were located to the east and south of Jerusalem.
Summary for Isa 22:8-11: 22:8-11 ^y The inhabitants of Jerusalem planned for war by counting weapons, checking walls, and preparing a water supply. However, the people did not consider God’s plans (see 13:1–14:23 ^z). Although Hezekiah was very prominent in these efforts, the second person verbs are plural. Isaiah was apparently not singling out Hezekiah, as he did Hezekiah’s father Ahaz (7:1-4 ^aa). 22:8 ^ab to the armory: This magnificent building was both an armory and a storage place for valuables (see 39:2 ^ac; 1 Kgs 7:2-6 ^ad).
22:9 ^ae Jerusalem (literally the city of David): Calling Jerusalem “the city of David” evokes memories of Israel’s greatest king and God’s blessing upon him and the nation (see also 60:14 ^af).

• You store up water in the lower pool: Hezekiah expended great energy in ensuring a constant supply of water (see 22:11 ^ag; 2 Kgs 20:20 ^ah).
Summary for Isa 22:12-14: 22:12-14 ^ai Judah’s feasting and disobedience resulted in a prophecy of judgment.
22:14 ^aj you will never be forgiven for this sin: The people of Judah added sin upon sin to the point that God would justly condemn them. This foreshadowed the Exile; although it took place in 586 BC, Isaiah was already anticipating it in 701 BC.
Summary for Isa 22:15-25: 22:15-25 ^ak Shebna and Eliakim were two royal officials in King Hezekiah’s court (see 2 Kgs 18:18 ^al; 19:2 ^am). Apparently assuming that death at the hands of the Assyrians was inevitable, Shebna planned for an ostentatious burial place (Isa 22:16 ^an). Although the rebuke of Shebna preceded Assyria’s siege of Jerusalem in 701 BC (see 22:19-21 ^ao; 36:3 ^ap), it connects well with the admonitions of 22:1-13 ^aq regarding the ensuing Babylonian siege. 22:15 ^ar The actions of Shebna represent among the populace a lack of confidence in God’s ability to rescue Jerusalem from the Assyrian attack.

• A palace administrator held the highest possible position in the royal court (see 22:21-22 ^as).
22:16 ^at Shebna was building a beautiful tomb ... a monument. This lavish burial place was intended to last for centuries.
22:18 ^au toss you away into a distant, barren land: Shebna would not find a resting place or have a memorial (cp. 14:11-20 ^av).

• your glorious chariots: In his high position, Shebna had lived in luxury.
Summary for Isa 22:19-20: 22:19-20 ^aw drive you out of office: Shebna (22:15 ^ax) was demoted to court secretary by the time of Jerusalem’s siege, when Eliakim (22:20 ^ay) was the palace administrator (36:3 ^az). Eliakim was a true servant of the Lord.
22:21 ^ba 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.
22:22 ^bb The key to the house of David represents a high position of honor in the royal court (see also Rev 3:7 ^bc).

• When he opens doors ... when he closes doors: The officer with the highest position has sole authority in giving access to the king (cp. Matt 16:19 ^bd).
22:25 ^be I will pull out the nail: Even godly Eliakim would not be able to save Judah or David’s dynasty from God’s judgment. The people of Judah would go into exile more than a century later (39:6-7 ^bf).