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New Defender's Study Bible Notes
22:1 valley of vision. The “valley of vision” seems to be Jerusalem (Isaiah 22:9), presumably because it was there that the prophetic visions were sent. Jerusalem also would be besieged by the Assyrians, and then later devastated by Babylonia.
22:8 house of the forest. This building, constructed by Solomon (I Kings 10:17), was Jerusalem’s armory.
22:11 made also a ditch. King Hezekiah had constructed a tunnel to bring water in to the walled city, anticipating the coming siege by the Assyrians (II Kings 18:17). This aqueduct has been excavated by archaeologists in modern times.
22:15 Shebna. Shebna, who had been “over the house,” was second in power only to the king. However, he had evidently been unfaithful in his responsibilities and thus replaced by Eliakim.
22:20 Eliakim. “Eliakim,” in contrast to Shebna (Isaiah 22:15-19) was a faithful steward, keeper of the treasury of Jerusalem in the days of King Hezekiah. Because of his faithfulness, he actually becomes a type of Christ.
22:22 the key. The “key,” hanging on the shoulder, was symbolic of governmental authority (compare Isaiah 9:6), giving access to the treasures of the kingdom. Eliakim becomes a type of Christ, who alone has full authority over “the house of David.”
22:22 none shall open. This particular authority of Eliakim is quoted, in Revelation 3:7, 8, assuring faithful believers in Christ that it is Christ alone, having the key of David, who can open and shut doors.
22:23 a sure place. The “nail in a sure place” (note Ezra 9:8) speaks of stability in a time of trouble. Eliakim filled that role for a time and, in that way, was a type of Christ. However, even that would eventually be broken off (Isaiah 22:25), when Judah was finally sent into captivity.
22:24 flagons. The Hebrew word means “liquid containers made of skins.” It is a different word from that translated as “flagons” in Song on Solomon 2:5 (q.v.).