1Břímě údolí vidění. Cožť se stalo, že jsi vystoupilo všecko na střechy, 2Město plné hřmotu a hluku, město veselící se? Zbití tvoji nejsou zbiti mečem, ani zhynuli v boji. 3Všecka knížata tvá rozprchla se napořád, od střelců svázána jsou. Což jich koli nalezeno jest v tobě, napořád svázáni jsou, zdaleka utíkají. 4Protož jsem řekl: Ponechejte mne, ať hořekuji s pláčem, a neusilujte mne těšiti nad popléněním dcerky lidu mého. 5Nebo jest den ssoužení, a pošlapání, a v mysli sevření ode Pána, Hospodina zástupů, v údolí vidění, den boření zdi, a křiku k horám. 6Byltě zajisté Elam pochytil toul s vozy lidu vojenského, a Kir ukázal pavézu. 7I stalo se, že nejvýbornější údolí tvá naplněna byla vozy, a vojáci silně položili se u brány, 8A odkryto bylo zastření Judovo; však obrátilo jsi zřetel v ten den k zbrojné komoře. 9I k zbořeninám města Davidova dohlédli jste, nebo mnohé byly, a shromáždili jste vody rybníka dolního. 10Domy též Jeruzalémské sečtli jste, i pobořili, abyste utvrdili zed. 11Udělali jste také stav mezi dvěma zdmi pro vody rybníka starého, aniž jste popatřili k Učiniteli jeho, a toho, kdo jej vzdělal od starodávna, neviděli jste. 12Nadto když volal Pán, Hospodin zástupů, v ten den k pláči a k kvílení, a k lysině a k přepásání se žíní. 13A aj, radost a veselí vaše zabijeti voly, a bíti ovce, jísti maso, a píti víno, a říkati: Jezme, píme, nebo zítra zemřeme. 14Ale známéť jest to v uších mých, praví Hospodin zástupů. Protož nikoli vám nebude odpuštěna ta nepravost, až i zemřete, praví Pán, Hospodin zástupů. 15Takto praví Pán, Hospodin zástupů: Jdi, vejdi k Sochitskému tomu, k Sobnovi správci domu, a řekni: 16Co ty zde máš? A koho zde máš, že jsi vytesal sobě zde hrob? Vytesals sobě na vysokém místě hrob svůj, a vystavěls na skále příbytek svůj. 17Aj, Hospodin, kterýž tě přistřel, jakž na muže znamenitého náleží, a kterýž tě výborně přioděl, 18Prudce tě zakulí jako kuli do země všelijak prostranné. Tam umřeš, tam i vozové slávy tvé, ó ohyzdo domu Pána svého. 19A tak seženu tě s místa tvého, a s úřadu tvého svrhu tě. 20I stane se v ten den, že povolám služebníka svého Eliakima syna Helkiášova, 21A obleku jej v sukni tvou, a pasem tvým potvrdím ho, panování tvé také dám v ruku jeho. I bude za otce obyvatelům Jeruzalémským a domu Judovu, 22A vložím klíč domu Davidova na rameno jeho. Když otevře, žádný nezavře, a když zavře, žádný neotevře. 23A vbiji jej jako hřebík v místě pevném, a bude stolicí slávy domu otce svého. 24I zavěsí na něm synové a dcery všecku slávu domu otce jeho, všecko nádobí, i to nejmenší, od nádobí, z něhož se pije, až do všech nádob vinných. 25V ten den, praví Hospodin zástupů, pohne se hřebík, kterýž vbit byl v místě pevném, a vyťat bude, a spadne, odťato bude i břímě, kteréž jest na něm; nebo Hospodin mluvil.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 PROPHECY AS TO AN ATTACK ON JERUSALEM. (
Isa 22:1-
Isa 22:14)
of . . . valley of vision--rather, "respecting the valley of visions"; namely, Jerusalem, the seat of divine revelations and visions, "the nursery of prophets" [JEROME], (
Isa 2:3;
Isa 29:1;
Ezek 23:4, Margin;
Luke 13:33). It lay in a "valley" surrounded by hills higher than Zion and Moriah (
Ps 125:2;
Jer 21:13).
thee--the people of Jerusalem personified.
housetops--Panic-struck, they went up on the flat balustraded roofs to look forth and see whether the enemy was near, and partly to defend themselves from the roofs (
Judg 9:51, &c.).
2 art--rather, "wert"; for it could not now be said to be "a joyous city" (
Isa 32:13). The cause of their joy (
Isa 22:13) may have been because Sennacherib had accepted Hezekiah's offer to renew the payment of tribute, and they were glad to have peace on any terms, however humiliating (
2Kgs 18:14-16), or on account of the alliance with Egypt. If the reference be to Zedekiah's time, the joy and feasting are not inapplicable, for this recklessness was a general characteristic of the unbelieving Jews (
Isa 56:12).
not slain with the sword--but with the famine and pestilence about to be caused by the coming siege (
Lam 4:9). MAURER refers this to the plague by which he thinks Sennacherib's army was destroyed, and Hezekiah was made sick (
Isa 37:36;
Isa 38:1). But there is no authority for supposing that the Jews in the city suffered such extremities of plague at this time, when God destroyed their foes. BARNES refers it to those slain in flight, not in open honorable "battle";
Isa 22:3 favors this.
3 rulers--rather, "generals" (
Josh 10:24;
Judg 11:6,
Judg 11:11).
bound--rather, "are taken."
by the archers--literally, "by the bow"; so
Isa 21:17. Bowmen were the light troops, whose province it was to skirmish in front and (
2Kgs 6:22) pursue fugitives (
2Kgs 25:5); this verse applies better to the attack of Nebuchadnezzar than that of Sennacherib.
all . . . in thee--all found in the city (
Isa 13:15), not merely the "rulers" or generals.
fled from far--those who had fled from distant parts to Jerusalem as a place of safety; rather, fled afar.
4 Look . . . from me--Deep grief seeks to be alone; while others feast joyously, Isaiah mourns in prospect of the disaster coming on Jerusalem (
Mic 1:8-
Mic 1:9).
daughter, &c.--(see on
Isa 1:8;
Lam 2:11).
5 trouble . . . by the Lord--that is, sent by or from the Lord (see on
Isa 19:15;
Luke 21:22-
Luke 21:24).
valley of vision--(See on
Isa 22:1). Some think a valley near Ophel is meant as about to be the scene of devastation (compare see on
Isa 32:13-
Isa 32:14).
breaking . . . walls--that is, "a day of breaking the walls" of the city.
crying to the mountains--the mournful cry of the townsmen "reaches" to (MAURER translates, towards) the mountains, and is echoed back by them. JOSEPHUS describes in the very same language the scene at the assault of Jerusalem under Titus. To this the prophecy, probably, refers ultimately. If, as some think, the "cry" is that of those escaping to the mountains, compare
Matt 13:14;
Matt 24:16, with this.
6 Elam--the country stretching east from the Lower Tigris, answering to what was afterwards called Persia (see on
Isa 21:2). Later, Elam was a province of Persia (
Ezra 4:9). In Sennacherib's time, Elam was subject to Assyria (
2Kgs 18:11), and so furnished a contingent to its invading armies. Famed for the bow (
Isa 13:18;
Jer 49:35), in which the Ethiopians alone excelled them.
with chariots of men and horsemen--that is, they used the bow both in chariots and on horseback. "Chariots of men," that is, chariots in which men are borne, war chariots (compare see on
Isa 21:7;
Isa 21:9).
Kir--another people subject to Assyria (
2Kgs 16:9); the region about the river Kur, between the Caspian and Black Seas.
uncovered--took off for the battle the leather covering of the shield, intended to protect the embossed figures on it from dust or injury during the march. "The quiver" and "the shield" express two classes--light and heavy armed troops.
7 valleys--east, north, and south of Jerusalem: Hinnom on the south side was the richest valley.
in array at the gate--Rab-shakeh stood at the upper pool close to the city (
Isa 36:11-
Isa 36:13).
8 he discovered the covering--rather, "the veil of Judah shall be taken off" [HORSLEY]: figuratively for, exposing to shame as a captive (
Isa 47:3;
Nah 3:5). Sennacherib dismantled all "the defensed cities of Judah" (
Isa 36:1).
thou didst look--rather, "thou shalt look."
house of . . . forest--The house of armory built of cedar from the forest of Lebanon by Solomon, on a slope of Zion called Ophel (
1Kgs 7:2;
1Kgs 10:17;
Neh 3:19). Isaiah says (
Isa 22:8-
Isa 22:13) his countrymen will look to their own strength to defend themselves, while others of them will drown their sorrows as to their country in feasting, but none will look to Jehovah.
9 Ye have seen--rather, "Ye shall see."
city of David--the upper city, on Zion, the south side of Jerusalem (
2Sam 5:7,
2Sam 5:9;
1Kgs 8:1); surrounded by a wall of its own; but even in it there shall be "breaches." Hezekiah's preparations for defense accord with this (
2Chr 32:5).
ye gathered--rather, "ye shall gather."
lower pool--(See on
Isa 22:11). Ye shall bring together into the city by subterranean passages cut in the rock of Zion, the fountain from which the lower pool (only mentioned here) is supplied. See on
Isa 7:3;
2Kgs 20:20;
2Chr 32:3-5, represent Hezekiah as having stopped the fountains to prevent the Assyrians getting water. But this is consistent with the passage here. The superfluous waters of the lower pool usually flowed into Hinnom valley, and so through that of Jehoshaphat to the brook Kedron. Hezekiah built a wall round it, stopped the outflowing of its waters to debar the foe from the use of them, and turned them into the city.
10 numbered--rather, "ye shall number," namely, in order to see which of them may be pulled down with the least loss to the city, and with most advantage for the repair of the walls and rearing of towers (
2Chr 32:5).
have ye broken down--rather, "ye shall break down."
11 Ye made . . . a ditch--rather, "Ye shall make a reservoir" for receiving the water. Hezekiah surrounded Siloah, from which the old (or king's, or upper) pool took its rise, with a wall joined to the wall of Zion on both sides; between these two walls he made a new pool, into which he directed the waters of the former, thus cutting off the foe from his supply of water also. The opening from which the upper pool received its water was nearer Zion than the other from which the lower pool took its rise, so that the water which flowed from the former could easily be shut in by a wall, whereas that which flowed from the latter could only be brought in by subterranean conduits (compare see on
Isa 22:9;
Isa 7:3;
2Kgs 20:20;
2Chr 32:3-5,
2Chr 32:30; Ecclesiasticus 48:17). Both were southwest of Jerusalem.
have not looked . . . neither had respect--answering by contrast to "Thou didst look to the armor, ye have seen ('had respect', or 'regard to') the breaches" (
Isa 22:8-
Isa 22:9).
maker thereof--God, by whose command and aid these defenses were made, and who gave this fountain "long ago." G. V. SMITH translates, "Him who doeth it," that is, has brought this danger on you--"Him who hath prepared it from afar," that is, planned it even from a distant time.
12 did the Lord God call--Usually the priests gave the summons to national mourning (
Joel 1:14); now JEHOVAH Himself shall give it; the "call" shall consist in the presence of a terrible foe. Translate, "shall call."
baldness--emblem of grief (
Job 1:20;
Mic 1:16).
13 Notwithstanding Jehovah's "call to mourning" (
Isa 22:12), many shall make the desperate state of affairs a reason for reckless revelry (
Isa 5:11-
Isa 5:12,
Isa 5:14;
Jer 18:12;
1Cor 15:32).
In
Isa 36:3,
Isa 36:22;
Isa 37:2, we find Shebna "a scribe," and no longer prefect of the palace ("over the household"), and Eliakim in that office, as is here foretold. Shebna is singled out as the subject of prophecy (the only instance of an individual being so in Isaiah), as being one of the irreligious faction that set at naught the prophet's warnings (Isa. 28:1-33:24); perhaps it was he who advised the temporary ignominious submission of Hezekiah to Sennacherib.
15 PROPHECY THAT SHEBNA SHOULD BE DEPOSED FROM BEING PREFECT OF THE PALACE, AND ELIAKIM PROMOTED TO THE OFFICE. (
Isa 22:15-
Isa 22:25)
Go, get thee unto--rather, "Go in to" (that is, into the house to).
treasurer--"him who dwells in the tabernacle" [JEROME]; namely, in a room of the temple set apart for the treasurer. Rather, "the king's friend," or "principal officer of the court" (
1Kgs 4:5;
1Kgs 18:3;
1Chr 27:33, "the king's counsellor") [MAURER]. "This" is prefixed contemptuously (
Exod 32:1).
unto Shebna--The Hebrew for "unto" indicates an accosting of Shebna with an unwelcome message.
16 What . . . whom--The prophet accosts Shebna at the very place where he was building a grand sepulcher for himself and his family (compare
Isa 14:18; Gen. 23:1-20;
Gen 49:29;
Gen 50:13). "What (business) hast thou here, and whom hast thou (of thy family, who is likely to be buried) here, that thou buildest," &c., seeing that thou art soon to be deposed from office and carried into captivity? [MAURER].
on high--Sepulchres were made in the highest rocks (
2Chr 32:33, Margin).
habitation for himself--compare "his own house" (
Isa 14:18).
17 carry . . . away with . . . captivity--rather, "will cast thee away with a mighty throw" [MAURER]. "Mighty," literally, "of a man" (so
Job 38:3).
surely cover--namely, with shame, where thou art rearing a monument to perpetuate thy fame [VITRINGA]. "Rolling will roll thee," that is, will continually roll thee on, as a ball to be tossed away [MAURER]. Compare
Isa 22:18.
18 violently turn and toss--literally, "whirling He will whirl thee," that is, He will, without intermission, whirl thee [MAURER]. "He will whirl thee round and round, and (then) cast thee away," as a stone in a sling is first whirled round repeatedly, before the string is let go [LOWTH].
large country--perhaps Assyria.
chariots . . . shall be the shame of thy lord's house--rather, "thy splendid chariots shall be there, O thou disgrace of thy lord's house" [NOYES]; "chariots of thy glory" mean "thy magnificent chariots." It is not meant that he would have these in a distant land, as he had in Jerusalem, but that he would be borne thither in ignominy instead of in his magnificent chariots. The Jews say that he was tied to the tails of horses by the enemy, to whom he had designed to betray Jerusalem, as they thought he was mocking them; and so he died.
19 state--office.
he--God. A similar change of persons occurs in
Isa 34:16.
20 son of Hilkiah--supposed by KIMCHI to be the same as Azariah, son of Hilkiah, who perhaps had two names, and who was "over the household" in Hezekiah's time (
1Chr 6:13).
21 thy robe--of office.
girdle--in which the purse was carried, and to it was attached the sword; often adorned with gold and jewels.
father--that is, a counsellor and friend.
22 key--emblem of his office over the house; to "open" or "shut"; access rested with him.
upon . . . shoulder--So keys are carried sometimes in the East, hanging from the kerchief on the shoulder. But the phrase is rather figurative for sustaining the government on one's shoulders. Eliakim, as his name implies, is here plainly a type of the God-man Christ, the son of "David," of whom Isaiah (
Isa 9:6) uses the same language as the former clause of this verse. In
Rev 3:7, the same language as the latter clause is found (compare
Job 12:14).
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
Ezra 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 (
Luke 1:32-
Luke 1:33).
24 Same image as in
Isa 22:23. It was customary to "hang" the valuables of a house on nails (
1Kgs 10:16-17,
1Kgs 10:21;
Song 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 (
Exod 20:5).
MENANDER, the historian, notices a siege of Tyre by Shalmaneser, about the time of the siege of Samaria. Sidon, Acco, and Old Tyre, on the mainland, were soon reduced; but New Tyre, on an island half a mile from the shore, held out for five years. Sargon probably finished the siege. Sennacherib does not, however, mention it among the cities which the Assyrian kings conquered (thirty-sixth and thirty-seventh chapters). The expression, "Chaldeans" (
Isa 23:13), may imply reference to its siege under Nebuchadnezzar, which lasted thirteen years. Alexander the Great destroyed New Tyre after a seven months' siege.
