Isaiah 22 7

Isaiah 22:7 kjv

And it shall come to pass, that thy choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.

Isaiah 22:7 nkjv

It shall come to pass that your choicest valleys Shall be full of chariots, And the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.

Isaiah 22:7 niv

Your choicest valleys are full of chariots, and horsemen are posted at the city gates.

Isaiah 22:7 esv

Your choicest valleys were full of chariots, and the horsemen took their stand at the gates.

Isaiah 22:7 nlt

Chariots fill your beautiful valleys,
and charioteers storm your gates.

Isaiah 22 verses

Isaiah 22 7 Meaning

The verse vividly portrays the Chosen People being routed, the enemy entering the fortified cities. Their joyful anticipation of spoils of war is abruptly ended as they become the very spoils themselves, a dramatic reversal of fortune. The joy of anticipation is replaced by the terror of defeat and captivity.

Isaiah 22 7 Context

This verse is situated within a broader prophecy of judgment against Jerusalem and its people, specifically focusing on their complacency and idolatry. Chapter 22 addresses the prophet's lament over the impending invasion and destruction of Jerusalem, particularly due to the arrogance and self-reliance of its leaders and people, who are feasting and celebrating while oblivious to divine wrath. The "choicest valleys" likely refers to fertile, strategically important regions within or surrounding Jerusalem. The military imagery underscores the completeness and overwhelming nature of the impending enemy attack, symbolized by chariots and horsemen massing at the city gates, signaling its imminent fall. This judgment is a consequence of their turning away from God, their spiritual unfaithfulness, and their reliance on worldly security rather than divine protection.

Isaiah 22 7 Word analysis

• וְהָיָה (wə·hā·yāh): "and it shall come to pass" or "and it will be." This phrase introduces a future event or condition, common in prophetic and narrative writing. It sets up the subsequent declaration of divine action.

• בְּחִירַיִךְ (bə·ḥî·ra·yiḵ): "your choicest" or "your elected/select." This adjective modifies "valleys," indicating these are places of prominence, fertility, or strategic importance to Judah, hence "your choicest valleys." It carries a sense of what the people held most dear and valued.

• גְּיָא (gə·yā): "valley." This is a low-lying area, often fertile, a geographic feature. The plural form here refers to multiple such areas belonging to or associated with Jerusalem.

• מְלֵאִים (mə·lē·'îm): "filled." This participle indicates a state of being full, here used to describe the valleys being completely occupied by the enemy's military force. It suggests no space is left, no escape.

• מַרְכָבוֹת (mar·kə·ḇō·ṯ): "chariots." Chariots were significant military technology in ancient warfare, representing speed, power, and a major offensive capability. Their presence in the valleys signifies the intensity of the invasion.

• וּפָרָשִׁים (ū·p̄ā·rā·šîm): "and horsemen." The term for "rider" or "horseman," often forming cavalry units. Combined with chariots, this paints a picture of a formidable, well-equipped enemy force.

• יַעֲמֹדוּ (ya·‘ə·mō·ḏū): "shall set themselves" or "shall stand." This verb suggests deployment and positioning for attack or occupation. The horsemen are strategically placed.

• צָבָא (ṣā·ḇā): "an army" or "host." Referring to a military force, indicating the collective might of the invading army.

• אֶל־שַׁעַר (’el-ša·‘ar): "against the gate" or "to the gate." The gate was a vital point of entry and defense for any city. Their presence here signifies the finality of the siege and the imminent breach of security. The singular "gate" can represent the collective vulnerability of the city's entrances.

• Group Analysis:

  • "Your choicest valleys shall be filled with chariots": This is a striking reversal. Places of beauty, prosperity, or strategic importance to Judah are no longer their own but are occupied and made ready for enemy deployment. The fertility and tranquility of valleys are replaced by the instruments of war and conquest.
  • "And the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate": This indicates a complete military envelopment and preparation for the final assault or occupation. The gates, symbols of safety and sovereignty, become the focal point of the enemy's aggressive posture.

Isaiah 22 7 Bonus section

The imagery of chariots and horsemen in the valleys and at the gates powerfully communicates the overwhelming and inescapable nature of the impending judgment. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, chariots represented elite fighting units, and horsemen provided mobility and shock tactics. Their concentration at the gates signifies the total blockade and imminent fall of the city, where its defenses become utterly useless. This mirrors the destruction described in other prophetic passages where cities are overrun, and their strategic points become occupied by the enemy, a complete inversion of security and possession. It also implies that what Jerusalem considered its strength or its safe havens will become the very places where its defeat is orchestrated.

Isaiah 22 7 Commentary

The verse serves as a stark warning of divine judgment against prideful disobedience. Jerusalem, expected to be protected by God, faces a complete military takeover. The enemy's presence in the "choicest valleys" and at the gates represents not just a physical defeat but also a loss of sacred ground and perceived security. This prophetic image reflects the consequences of failing to heed God's commands, emphasizing that no human fortification or celebrated resource can withstand the ultimate judgment of God when a nation or people turns away from Him. It highlights the reality that military might is secondary to spiritual faithfulness.