Isa 22:1-13 | 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.