Isaiah 22:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Elam bore the quiver with chariots and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.

NIV: Elam takes up the quiver, with her charioteers and horses; Kir uncovers the shield.

NASB: Elam picked up the quiver, With the chariots, infantry, and horsemen; And Kir uncovered the shield.

CSB: Elam took up a quiver with chariots and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.

NLT: Elamites are the archers, with their chariots and charioteers. The men of Kir hold up the shields.

KJV: And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.

NKJV: Elam bore the quiver With chariots of men and horsemen, And Kir uncovered the shield.

In this chapter, Isaiah is discussing the onslaught against Jerusalem (Isaiah 22:2–5). This event is likely either an invasion by the Assyrians in 701 BC, or one in Isaiah's future: that of the Babylonians in 586 BC. Whichever invaders are being referenced, they brought fighters from other nations. This was a common practice of the Assyrians.

In the previous chapter, Isaiah seemed to call for Elam and the Medes to join Assyria in the attack against Babylon, or perhaps to defend Babylon (Isaiah 21). Now it appears that some from Elam have been pressed into joining the attack against Jerusalem. The Elamite fighters are archers with chariots and horsemen.

It is unknown where exactly Kir was. Some suggest it may have been near Elam since they are mentioned together. Others place it in Syria because of its mention in Amos 9:7. The Kir fighters were said to carry shields and uncover them for battle.

Chapter 22:1–14 describes how the people of Jerusalem partied and feasted in the face of certain destruction during a siege. Isaiah condemns them, especially for failing to mourn and cry out to the Lord for help when all seemed lost. He weeps for those who have died. The prophet calls the people to soberly understand what has happened to them instead of partying on their rooftops. The Lord says that the sins of the people in this moment will not be atoned for until they die.

Isaiah presents a prophecy against the city of Jerusalem: "the valley of vision." The prophet condemns the people for partying, perhaps following an astonishing deliverance from the Lord. Instead, they should remember all who died. They should be sobered to realize how helpless they had been. When destruction seemed certain, they should have mourned and cried out to the Lord to save them. Instead, they reveled like nothing mattered. The Lord condemns the steward of the king's house for carving out his tomb instead of trusting God. He puts a man named Eliakim in that position. Eliakim serves with great integrity, faithfulness, and excellence. Yet, he, too, falls away.

Isaiah has recorded several prophecies in preceding chapters. These spoke of nations such as Egypt as well as various tribes. Chapter 22 is an oracle against the city of Jerusalem. Isaiah condemns the people for celebrating instead of mourning and seeking the Lord's help. This could be either before or after a great siege of the city. The prophet weeps for the lost and calls the people to repent. The Lord condemns the king's steward for faithlessness. His replacement, Eliakim, serves with strength and integrity. The next oracles concern Tyre and Sydon, before addressing the entire world.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

Accessed 12/4/2024 3:48:33 AM