Isaiah 22:9

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.

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}.

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

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

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

This verse from Isaiah 22 describes the actions of the people of Jerusalem in the face of an impending attack, highlighting their focus on physical defenses rather than spiritual reliance.

Context

Isaiah chapter 22 is a prophecy concerning the "valley of vision," understood to be Jerusalem. The chapter often depicts a time of crisis, possibly related to the Assyrian threat during the reign of King Hezekiah, although some interpretations place it earlier. The prophet critiques the city's inhabitants for their revelry and misplaced confidence, mourning their lack of repentance and trust in God despite the clear danger.

Key Themes

  • Human Effort vs. Divine Trust: The verse points to the people's strenuous efforts in preparing physical defenses (repairing walls, securing water) as a primary response to the threat, contrasting implicitly with the need for faith in God.
  • Vulnerability of Jerusalem: The mention of "breaches" in the city walls emphasizes Jerusalem's weakened state and vulnerability.
  • Pragmatic Preparation: Gathering water from the lower pool was a crucial defensive measure during a siege, ensuring a vital resource was available within the city walls. This pragmatic action is noted, but the chapter suggests it was done without the necessary spiritual posture.

Linguistic Insights

The term "breaches" comes from the Hebrew word perets (ืคืจืฅ), meaning a break, breach, or gap, often in a wall or barrier. This highlights the literal damage to Jerusalem's fortifications. "Gathered together" is from qabats (ืงื‘ืฅ), meaning to collect, assemble, or gather, specifically referring to the pooling or storing of water.

Related Scriptures

The "city of David" refers to Jerusalem, particularly its ancient core, first captured by David (2 Samuel 5:7). The people's focus on repairing walls and securing water, though practical, serves as a potential contrast to trusting in God for deliverance, a theme found elsewhere in scripture (Psalm 20:7). Securing water sources like pools and springs was a vital part of preparing for siege, notably demonstrated by Hezekiah's tunnel and pool construction in response to the Assyrian threat.

Practical Application

Isaiah 22:9 serves as a reminder that while practical preparation is wise, our ultimate confidence must rest in God, not solely in our own strength, resources, or strategies. When facing challenges, we are called to pray and trust God (Philippians 4:6) alongside taking prudent action. The danger lies in relying *only* on human effort while neglecting the spiritual dimension of seeking God's help and will.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 20:20 (3 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    ยถ 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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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.