Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 1. The burden of Tyre] Tyre, a city on the coast of Syria, about lat. 32ø N. was built two thousand seven hundred and sixty years before Christ. There were two cities of this name; one on the continent, and the other on an island, about half a mile from the shore; the city on the island was about four miles in circumference. Old Tyre resisted Nebuchadnezzar for thirteen years; then the inhabitants carried, so to speak, the city to the forementioned island, ver. 4. This new city held out against Alexander the Great for seven months; who, in order to take it, was obliged to fill up the channel which separated it from the main land. In A.D. 1289 it was totally destroyed by the sultan of Egypt; and now contains only a few huts, in which about fifty or sixty wretched families exist. This desolation was foretold by this prophet and by Ezekiel, one thousand nine hundred years before it took place! Howl, ye ships of Tarshish] This prophecy denounces the destruction of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar. It opens with an address to the Tyrian negotiators and sailors at Tarshish, (Tartessus, in Spain,) a place which, in the course of their trade, they greatly frequented. The news of the destruction of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar is said to be brought to them from Chittim, the islands and coasts of the Mediterranean; "for the Tyrians, "says Jerome on ver. 6, "when they saw they had no other means of escaping, fled in their ships, and took refuge in Carthage and in the islands of the Ionian and AEgean sea. " From whence the news would spread and reach Tarshish; so also Jarchi on the same place. This seems to be the most probable interpretation of this verse.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- The siege and taking of Jerusalem. (Is. 22:1-7) The wicked conduct of its inhabitants. (Is. 22:8-14) The displacing of Shebna, and the promotion of Eliakim, applied to the Messiah. (Is. 22:15-25)
Is. 22:1-7 Why is Jerusalem in such terror? Her slain men are not slai with the sword, but with famine; or, slain with fear, disheartened Their rulers fled, but were overtaken. The servants of God, who forese and warn sinners of coming miseries, are affected by the prospect. But all the horrors of a city taken by storm, faintly shadow forth the terrors of the day of wrath.
Is. 22:8-14 The weakness of Judah now appeared more than ever. Now als they discovered their carnal confidence and their carnal security. The looked to the fortifications. They made sure of water for the city. But they were regardless of God in all these preparations. They did no care for his glory in what they did. They did not depend upon him for blessing on their endeavours. For every creature is to us what God makes it to be; and we must bless him for it, and use it for him. Ther was great contempt of God's wrath and justice, in contending with them God's design was to humble them, and bring them to repentance. The walked contrary to this. Actual disbelief of another life after this is at the bottom of the carnal security and brutish sensuality, whic are the sin, the shame, and ruin of so great a part of mankind. God wa displeased at this. It is a sin against the remedy, and it is no likely they should ever repent of it. Whether this unbelief works by presumption or despair, it produces the same contempt of God, and is token that a man will perish wilfully.
Is. 22:15-25 This message to Shebna is a reproof of his pride, vanity and security; what vanity is all earthly grandeur, which death will s soon end! What will it avail, whether we are laid in a magnificen tomb, or covered with the green sod? Those who, when in power, turn an toss others, will be justly turned and tossed themselves. Eliaki should be put into Shebna's place. Those called to places of trust an power, should seek to God for grace to enable them to do their duty Eliakim's advancement is described. Our Lord Jesus describes his ow power as Mediator, Rev. 3:7, that he has the key of David. His power in the kingdom of heaven, and in ordering all the affairs of that kingdom is absolute. Rulers should be fathers to those under their government and the honour men bring unto their families, by their piety an usefulness, is more to be valued than what they derive from them by their names and titles. The glory of this world gives a man no rea worth or excellence; it is but hung upon him, and it will soon dro from him. Eliakim was compared to a nail in a sure place; all his family are said to depend upon him. In eastern houses, rows of larg spikes were built up in the walls. Upon these the moveables an utensils were hung. Our Lord Jesus is as a nail in a sure place. Tha soul cannot perish, nor that concern fall to the ground, which is by faith hung upon Christ. He will set before the believer an open door which no man can shut, and bring both body and soul to eternal glory But those who neglect so great salvation will find, that when he shutteth none can open, whether it be shutting out from heaven, or shutting up in hell for ever _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew משׂא4853 צר6865 הילילו3213 אניות591 תרשׁישׁ8659 כי3588 שׁדד7703 מבית1004 מבוא935 מארץ776 כתים3794 נגלה׃1540
