21:17 21:17

Isaiah 22:1

22:2 22:2

Bible Versions

¶ The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?
The burden {H4853} of the valley {H1516} of vision {H2384}. What aileth thee now {H645}, that thou art wholly gone up {H5927} to the housetops {H1406}?
A prophecy about the Valley of Vision: Tell me what is wrong with you, that you have all gone up on the roofs.
This is the burden against the Valley of Vision: What ails you now, that you have all gone up to the rooftops,
The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?

Isaiah 22:1 introduces a prophetic oracle, or "burden," specifically directed towards Jerusalem, identified here as the "valley of vision." The prophet Isaiah expresses dismay at the city's inhabitants, who are found "wholly gone up to the housetops," seemingly engaged in revelry or observation rather than repentance or mourning in the face of impending doom.

Historical and Cultural Context

This prophecy is part of a series of "burdens" or divine pronouncements against various nations and peoples in the book of Isaiah, often signaling judgment (compare with the burden of Babylon in Isaiah 13:1). The "valley of vision" is a poetic and ironic designation for Jerusalem. Geographically, Jerusalem is indeed situated in a valley surrounded by higher hills. Spiritually, it was the center of divine revelation, where prophets received visions and God's presence dwelt in the Temple (Psalm 48:1).

The time period likely points to the Assyrian threat during the reign of King Hezekiah, particularly the siege of Sennacherib in 701 BC, or a broader period of spiritual apathy leading up to such crises. The image of people on the "housetops" reflects a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cities, where flat roofs served as gathering places. However, in this context, their presence there suggests an inappropriate response to the gravity of the situation – perhaps celebrating, watching a spectacle, or seeking refuge, rather than preparing for hardship or turning to God in humility. This behavior contrasts sharply with the solemnity of the "burden" being announced.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Irony: The verse highlights the impending judgment on Jerusalem, the very city where God's truth was revealed. The irony is palpable: the "valley of vision" is afflicted with a "burden," and its inhabitants seem blind to their true peril.
  • Complacency and Spiritual Blindness: A central theme is the profound spiritual complacency of Judah's people. Instead of mourning, repenting, or seeking God's face, they are depicted as oblivious or even celebratory, indicating a deep disconnect from the divine warnings being issued. This spiritual blindness is a recurring lament in Isaiah's prophecies (Isaiah 5:12).
  • Prophetic Authority: The phrase "The burden of..." emphasizes the divine origin and weighty significance of Isaiah's message. It is a pronouncement from God, not merely human speculation, underscoring the prophet's role as a messenger of truth, however unwelcome.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "burden" is massa (מַשָּׂא), which literally means "something lifted up" or "a load." In prophetic literature, it signifies a heavy, authoritative pronouncement, often a severe oracle of judgment or doom. It conveys the idea that the message is a weighty responsibility for the prophet to deliver and a heavy reality for the recipients to bear.

The term "valley of vision" is unique to this chapter. While Jerusalem is geographically a valley, "vision" (chazon, חָזוֹן) refers to prophetic revelation. The combination powerfully contrasts Jerusalem's privileged position as the recipient of divine truth with its failure to heed that truth, thereby incurring a "burden" of judgment.

Practical Application

Isaiah 22:1 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual complacency and indifference to God's warnings. It challenges us to:

  • Discern the Times: Are we truly aware of the spiritual realities around us, or are we distracted by superficial concerns?
  • Respond Appropriately to God's Word: When God's truth is revealed, especially concerning sin or judgment, our response should be one of humility and repentance, not indifference or misplaced festivity.
  • Avoid Presumption: Even those who have been recipients of great spiritual privilege (like Jerusalem, the "valley of vision") are not exempt from judgment if they ignore God's commands and warnings.

The verse calls us to introspection, urging us to consider our spiritual state and ensure our actions align with a sober understanding of God's holiness and His prophetic word.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 21:13

    Behold, I [am] against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, [and] rock of the plain, saith the LORD; which say, Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations?

  • Psalms 125:2

    As the mountains [are] round about Jerusalem, so the LORD [is] round about his people from henceforth even for ever.

  • Isaiah 15:3

    In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly.

  • Joel 3:12

    Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.

  • Joel 3:14

    Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD [is] near in the valley of decision.

  • Judges 18:23

    And they cried unto the children of Dan. And they turned their faces, and said unto Micah, What aileth thee, that thou comest with such a company?

  • Psalms 114:5

    What [ailed] thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, [that] thou wast driven back?
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