Isaiah 22

Isaiah 22:1

valley of Vision] Judah, and Jerusalem, ver. 4, 8, 10. Ierusalem and Iudea, were full of mountains; and consequently of Valleys. And the Patriarchs, and Prophets, had therein many Visions from God.

What aileth thee now] In this distresse by Sennacherib, in the dayes of Ezekiah. Rather then that by Nebuchadnezzar.

house tops] To lament, or look about for help, &c.

Isaiah 22:2

not slaine with the sword] But, as it were, stark dead with fear, ere they came to any fight.

Isaiah 22:3

they are bound by the archers] Or, from the bowe. Their hands are so restrained, and tied up with extremity of fear, that they are not able to manage and make use of their bowes. Or, they are bound and captived by the archers of the enemies.

Isaiah 22:5

of crying to the mountains] So loud, as will cause the mountains to ring againe with it. Or, so making to the mountains for shelter and safeguard.

Isaiah 22:6

Elam] Under the Assyrian, fighting in his army.

Kir] A Citie in Media, and under the dominion then of the Assyrian, 2 Kings XVI. 9. Amos I. 5.

Isaiah 22:8

thou didst look] About thee, and bestir thee.

in that day] When the Countrey was full of forreigne forces.

to the house of the forrest] The name of an armory situate within Jerusalem. Most likely that which Solomon built, and called the house of the forrest of Lebanon, 1 Kings VII. 2. See the Observations there.

Isaiah 22:9

of the lower poole] See the Observations on Neh. III. 1.

between the two walls] See 2 Chron. XXXII. 5. Jer. XXXIX. 4.

Isaiah 22:13

for to morrow we shall die] Either desperately: or rather thus mocking the threatnings of the Prophets.

Isaiah 22:14

revealed] The Lord of Hoasts did in my hearing reveale himself, saying, &c.

Isaiah 22:15

Shebna] He was a rotten-hearted man, and one that had much abused his power, being in likelihood of meane parentage; and it may be a stranger by descent. See ver. 16. and chap. XXXVI. 3. He is called the Scribe, or Secretarie, 2 Kings XVIII. 18. Here, over the house; as high Steward. Wherein Eliakim succeeded. He was one of the three sent out to Rabshake.

Isaiah 22:17

and will surely cover thee] With shame and sorrow. As Ester VII. 8. 2 Sam. XV. 30. Job IX. 24. Ezek. XII. 6, 12.

Isaiah 22:20

Eliakim] Invested, after the devesting of Shebna.

Isaiah 22:24

they shall hang upon him] As things are wont to be hanged on a pin.

his fathers house, the off-spring and the issue] All his kindred and allies, as well small, as great shall partake of his honour, one way or other. Or, there should be nothing in the Kings house but should be under his power, and have dependance on him.

Isaiah 22:25

fastened in a sure place] As Shebna accounted himself to be.

e cut downe] Meaning Shebna.

Tyre] Of Tyre, See the Observations on Josh. XIX. 29. And the Annotations on Amos I. 9. See the like Prophecies against this Towne and State, Ier. XXV. 22. and XLVII. 4. Ezek. XXVI. XXVII. XXVIII. chapters, Amos II. 9. Zech. IX. 2, 4.