Isaiah 22:9

KJV

Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool.

KJV (with Strong's)

Ye have seen {H7200} also the breaches {H1233} of the city {H5892} of David {H1732}, that they are many {H7231}: and ye gathered together {H6908} the waters {H4325} of the lower {H8481} pool {H1295}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You saw how many breaches there were in the City of David, you collected water from the lower pool,

Berean Standard Bible

You saw that there were many breaches in the walls of the City of David. You collected water from the lower pool.

American Standard Version

And ye saw the breaches of the city of David, that they were many; and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 22:9 vividly portrays the desperate, human-centric efforts of Jerusalem's inhabitants to prepare for an impending siege. The verse highlights their extensive work in repairing the numerous breaches in the city walls and meticulously securing the vital water supply by gathering the waters of the lower pool. This intense focus on physical fortifications and logistical preparations implicitly contrasts with a perceived lack of spiritual reliance on God, revealing a people whose confidence rested more in their own ingenuity and strength than in divine protection and true repentance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah chapter 22 is an "oracle concerning the valley of vision," a unique prophetic lament primarily directed at Jerusalem, God's own people, rather than a foreign nation. It stands in stark contrast to the surrounding prophecies, focusing on the spiritual state and misguided actions of Judah. The chapter opens with a depiction of a city characterized by revelry and a misplaced sense of security (e.g., [Isaiah 22:1-2](/isaiah/22-1-2 "Isaiah 22:1-2 - Jerusalem's Revelry Amidst Crisis")), seemingly oblivious to its impending doom. The prophet critiques their failure to humble themselves and seek God's face in a time of profound crisis, instead turning to purely human solutions. Verse 9 specifically details these human preparations, following the observation of the city's inherent vulnerability (e.g., [Isaiah 22:8](/isaiah/22-8 "Isaiah 22:8 - Judah's Reliance on Human Defenses")) and preceding the prophet's lament over their lack of repentance and the divine judgment that will follow (e.g., [Isaiah 22:12-14](/isaiah/22-12-14 "Isaiah 22:12-14 - God's Call to Weeping and Mourning Ignored")). The passage sets up a poignant contrast between God's call for mourning and repentance and the people's pragmatic, yet spiritually deficient, response.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 22 is most commonly identified with the formidable Assyrian threat in the late 8th century BCE, particularly during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah (715-686 BCE). Assyria, under the formidable King Sennacherib, launched a massive campaign against Judah in 701 BCE, besieging many fortified cities and eventually laying siege to Jerusalem itself. In anticipation of such a devastating siege, it was a common and crucial cultural practice for cities to fortify their defenses, repair walls, and, most critically, secure their water sources. King Hezekiah, for instance, famously undertook extensive engineering projects, including the construction of the Siloam Tunnel, to ensure Jerusalem's water supply was protected within the city walls, diverting the Gihon Spring's waters (compare [2 Kings 20:20](/2_kings/20-20 "2 Kings 20:20 - Hezekiah's Conduit and Pool") and [2 Chronicles 32:3-4](/2_chronicles/32-3-4 "2 Chronicles 32:3-4 - Hezekiah's Water Strategy")). The "city of David" refers to the ancient, fortified core of Jerusalem, often associated with Zion, which was the oldest and most strategically vital part of the city, yet still vulnerable to attack.

* **Key Themes:** The primary theme highlighted in Isaiah 22:9 is the **Human Effort vs. Divine Trust**. The verse vividly illustrates the people's strenuous and extensive efforts to fortify Jerusalem, meticulously repairing "many" breaches and securing the vital water supply. While such pragmatic preparations were necessary for survival during a siege, the prophet's overarching critique throughout the chapter suggests that these actions were undertaken without the corresponding spiritual posture of repentance and reliance on God. This contrasts sharply with the divine expectation of seeking God's help and trusting in His name (e.g., [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the LORD")). Another key theme is the **Vulnerability of Jerusalem**, emphasized by the sheer number of "breaches" in its walls, indicating a city that has suffered previous attacks, neglected its defenses, or is simply overwhelmed by the scale of the impending threat. Finally, the passage underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Call to Repentance**, as the impending crisis is understood as a consequence of the people's spiritual rebellion, yet their response is purely physical, missing the deeper spiritual call from God (as seen in [Isaiah 22:12-14](/isaiah/22-12-14 "Isaiah 22:12-14 - God's Call to Weeping and Mourning")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **breaches (Hebrew, _bᵉqîyaʻ'_):** (H1233) Derived from the root `בָּקַע` (baqaʻ), meaning "to cleave" or "to split," this term denotes a fissure, break, or gap, specifically referring to openings in a wall or fortification. The mention of "many" breaches suggests a city in a state of disrepair or one that has already endured significant damage from previous conflicts, highlighting its inherent vulnerability and the extensive, overwhelming work required for its defense. It underscores the severity of the threat and the city's precarious state.
* **gathered together (Hebrew, _qâbats'_):** (H6908) This primitive root signifies the act of collecting, assembling, or bringing together. In this context, it refers to the deliberate, organized, and urgent effort to consolidate the available water supply within the city's defenses. It implies a strategic and vital action taken to ensure a critical resource for survival during a prolonged siege, demonstrating the people's practical foresight and desperate measures to secure their most essential need.
* **pool (Hebrew, _bᵉrêkâh'_):** (H1295) This noun refers to a reservoir or cistern, typically an artificial basin for collecting and storing water, often at which camels might kneel as a resting-place. The "lower pool" would have been an identifiable water source located outside or on the lower slopes of the city, whose waters were now being diverted or secured within the city walls to protect them from the enemy. Its mention underscores the vital importance of water management in ancient siege warfare and the extensive, often ingenious, measures taken to preserve this life-sustaining resource.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many:"** This initial clause highlights the observable and undeniable reality of Jerusalem's physical vulnerability. The phrase "ye have seen" implies a direct, palpable observation by the inhabitants themselves, emphasizing that the danger was not theoretical but evident and widespread. The "city of David" refers to Jerusalem, particularly its ancient, fortified core (Zion). The description of "many" breaches underscores the extensive damage, neglect, or sheer scale of the defensive failures, necessitating widespread and urgent repair efforts to prepare for the impending invasion.
* **"and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool."** This second clause describes a crucial and strategic defensive action: the securing of a vital water source. The "lower pool" was an external or vulnerable water reservoir, likely the Old Pool or the Pool of Siloam before Hezekiah's major conduit. The act of "gathering together" its waters implies diverting, channeling, or otherwise protecting this supply, likely into internal cisterns or the city's main water system, to ensure continued access during a siege when external sources would be cut off by the enemy. This was a pragmatic, essential, and laborious step for survival, demonstrating the people's self-reliance in the face of crisis.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 22:9 employs several literary devices to convey its poignant message. **Observation** is central, as the phrase "Ye have seen" directly addresses the people, implying their direct witness to the city's dilapidated state and their subsequent, frantic actions. The description of "many" breaches uses **Hyperbole** or **Exaggeration** to emphasize the dire state of Jerusalem's defenses, underscoring the magnitude of the crisis and the extensive human effort required to address it. The actions described—repairing walls and securing water—serve as powerful **Symbolism** for humanity's tendency to rely on its own strength, ingenuity, and pragmatic solutions in times of crisis, often to the exclusion or neglect of divine help. There is also an underlying **Irony** in the people's diligent physical preparations contrasted with their spiritual blindness and lack of repentance, which is the true source of their impending doom. This verse is part of a larger **Prophetic Lament**, where Isaiah expresses sorrow not just over the impending destruction but over the spiritual blindness of the people who are so focused on physical preparations that they miss the opportunity for true repentance and reliance on God, the ultimate deliverer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 22:9 powerfully illustrates the theological tension between human effort and divine reliance. While practical preparation is a mark of wisdom and responsibility, the prophet critiques Jerusalem's actions not for their practicality, but because their extensive physical measures were undertaken without a corresponding spiritual turning to God. Their confidence was placed solely in their own strategic planning and fortifications, rather than in the Lord who is the ultimate defender of His people. This passage serves as a sobering reminder that true security and deliverance come not from the strength of human hands or the ingenuity of human minds alone, but from the sovereign power and grace of God. When facing overwhelming challenges, our primary recourse should always be to seek the Lord's face, for He alone is our refuge and strength, and without His blessing, all human endeavors are ultimately in vain.

* [Psalm 127:1](/psalms/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.")
* [Proverbs 21:31](/proverbs/21-31 "Proverbs 21:31 - The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.")
* [Jeremiah 17:5-8](/jeremiah/17-5-8 "Jeremiah 17:5-8 - Cursed is the one who trusts in man, blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 22:9 presents a timeless challenge to our default responses in times of crisis. It reminds us that while prudent planning and diligent effort are commendable and often necessary, they must never become substitutes for absolute trust in God. In our own lives, when we face "breaches"—whether they are financial difficulties, health crises, relational breakdowns, societal anxieties, or personal failures—our immediate inclination might be to "gather the waters" of our own resources: our intellect, our networks, our savings, our sheer willpower, or our self-help strategies. The danger lies not in taking practical steps, but in relying *solely* on these human efforts, neglecting to seek God's wisdom, provision, and supernatural intervention. This verse calls us to examine the true source of our confidence. Are we meticulously shoring up our defenses while forgetting to look to the One who truly builds and protects the city? True peace, security, and lasting solutions come from aligning our efforts with God's will and resting in His sovereign care, knowing that He is our ultimate refuge and strength, and that His power far transcends our limited human capabilities.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to rely solely on my own efforts and resources, rather than seeking God's guidance and provision?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty, even as I engage in wise and practical planning?**
* **When facing challenges, what is my immediate response: human strategizing and self-reliance, or humble prayer and reliance on God?**

### FAQ

**What was the "city of David" and why were its breaches significant?**

Answer: The "city of David" refers to Jerusalem, specifically its ancient, fortified core, which King David captured from the Jebusites and made his capital (see [2 Samuel 5:7](/2_samuel/5-7 "2 Samuel 5:7 - David Captures Zion")). The breaches in its walls were highly significant because they represented points of vulnerability and weakness in the city's primary defense system. "Many" breaches indicated a city that was either poorly maintained, had suffered previous attacks, or was simply overwhelmed by the scale of the impending threat. Repairing these breaches was an urgent and massive undertaking, highlighting the desperate measures taken by the inhabitants to protect themselves from invasion. The very existence of so many breaches underscored the city's precarious state and the immense task of defense.

**Why was gathering water from the lower pool so important?**

Answer: Securing a reliable water supply was absolutely critical for any city under siege in the ancient world. Without water, a city could not withstand a prolonged attack, regardless of its fortifications. The "lower pool" would have been an accessible water source, likely outside or on the lower slopes of the city, making it vulnerable to the enemy. "Gathering" its waters meant diverting, channeling, or protecting this supply, often into internal cisterns or a more secure conduit within the city walls, such as the famous Siloam Tunnel constructed by King Hezekiah (see [2 Kings 20:20](/2_kings/20-20 "2 Kings 20:20 - Hezekiah's Conduit")). This ensured that the inhabitants would have access to water even when cut off from external sources by a besieging army, making it a crucial strategic move for survival.

**Does this verse condemn practical preparation?**

Answer: No, Isaiah 22:9 does not condemn practical preparation in itself. In fact, such measures were wise and necessary for survival during a siege. The critique lies in the *attitude* and *source of trust* behind these preparations. The prophet highlights that while the people were diligently working on physical defenses, they neglected to seek God, humble themselves, or repent of their sins. Their focus was entirely on human solutions, demonstrating a misplaced confidence in their own strength and ingenuity rather than in the Lord, who is the ultimate deliverer. The Bible consistently encourages wisdom and diligence in preparation (e.g., [Proverbs 6:6-8](/proverbs/6-6-8 "Proverbs 6:6-8 - Go to the Ant, You Sluggard")), but it always subordinates human effort to divine sovereignty and calls for ultimate trust in God (e.g., [Psalm 127:1](/psalms/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - Unless the LORD builds the house")). The issue is not preparation, but the *idolatry of preparation*—trusting in human means above God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 22:9, with its depiction of Jerusalem's desperate human efforts to secure itself, profoundly foreshadows humanity's universal condition apart from Christ. Just as Jerusalem had "many breaches" in its physical walls, humanity is inherently broken and vulnerable, plagued by the breaches of sin that separate us from God and expose us to spiritual ruin. Our own attempts to "gather the waters" of self-reliance, good works, moral striving, or worldly wisdom are ultimately insufficient to provide true security or eternal life. These human endeavors, while seemingly pragmatic, cannot mend the fundamental spiritual brokenness or quench the soul's deepest thirst. Christ, however, is the ultimate "Breach-Repairer" and the true source of living water. He is the one who, through His perfect life, atoning death on the cross, and glorious resurrection, mends the chasm between God and humanity, breaking down the "dividing wall of hostility" (see [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace, Breaking Down Walls")). He offers the "living water" that truly satisfies the soul's deepest thirst (as promised in [John 4:10-14](/john/4-10-14 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus, the Living Water") and [John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "John 7:37-38 - Rivers of Living Water")), providing eternal life where human efforts only offer temporary, fleeting relief. In Him, we find our true and lasting security, not in fortified walls or gathered resources, but in the unshakeable foundation of His finished work and the promised New Jerusalem, where God and the Lamb are its very temple and light, requiring no earthly defenses (see [Revelation 21:22-23](/revelation/21-22-23 "Revelation 21:22-23 - God and the Lamb are the Temple")).

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.

Cross-References

2 Kings 20:20

And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

2 Chronicles 32:30

This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.

2 Chronicles 32:1

¶ After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.

2 Chronicles 32:6

And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,

Nehemiah 3:16

After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Bethzur, unto [the place] over against the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty.