Isaiah 22:10: Meaning Explained
And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall.
The people destroyed some houses in the city to get building materials to repair and strengthen the walls.
What’s Happening Here
Desperate measures are taken to strengthen defenses. But this shows they finally realize the danger.
Key Words
Why It Matters
This verse reminds us that preparing for challenges often requires difficult choices and sacrifice, but it also warns against relying solely on our own frantic efforts instead of trusting in God.
Did You Know?
This action of tearing down houses for wall materials was likely a direct violation of property laws in ancient Israel, showing the extreme desperation of the people facing an Assyrian siege.
Tradition Spectrum
Word Study
Frequently asked questions
What does Isaiah 22:10 mean?
The people destroyed some houses in the city to get building materials to repair and strengthen the walls.
What is the context of Isaiah 22:10?
Desperate measures are taken to strengthen defenses. But this shows they finally realize the danger.
Why does Isaiah 22:10 matter?
This verse reminds us that preparing for challenges often requires difficult choices and sacrifice, but it also warns against relying solely on our own frantic efforts instead of trusting in God.
What's a surprising detail about Isaiah 22:10?
This action of tearing down houses for wall materials was likely a direct violation of property laws in ancient Israel, showing the extreme desperation of the people facing an Assyrian siege.
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]
Places in Isaiah 22:10
Commentary on Isaiah 22:10
(Vers. 10, 11.) And you gathered the waters of the lower pool, and you counted the houses of Jerusalem, and you destroyed houses to fortify the wall. And you made a reservoir between the two walls, and the water of the Old Pool. And you did not look to the One who made it, and you did not see the One who fashioned it from afar. It tells how they prepared the city for siege, and transferred the waters of the lower pool to the upper fortification, and after destroying the houses, they built walls, and through each family, they counted the amount of water that each house should receive, and they made a cistern between the two walls, and restored the old pool to preserve the water. And they did…