Isaiah 22:6

“And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men [and] horsemen, &c.] Or the Elamites, as the Targum and Septuagint, that is, the Persians, who were at this time subject to the Assyrians, and served in Sennacherib’s army, which consisted of many nations; (see <232907>Isaiah 29:7) these bore the quiver, a case for arrows, being expert in the use of the bow, which was the chief of their might, (<244935>Jeremiah 49:35) and so Strabof428 reports, that the Elamites had many archers among them; and along with them went chariots of men, full of men, of military men; these were chariots for war, and brought men to fight against Jerusalem; [and] horsemen also, these were the cavalry, as those that…”

“Elam--the country stretching east from the Lower Tigris, answering to what was afterwards called Persia (see on Isa 21:2). Later, Elam was a province of Persia (Ezr 4:9). In Sennacherib's time, Elam was subject to Assyria (Kg2 18:11), and so furnished a contingent to its invading armies. Famed for the bow (Isa 13:18; Jer 49:35), in which the Ethiopians alone excelled them. with chariots of men and horsemen--that is, they used the bow both in chariots and on horseback. "Chariots of men," that is, chariots in which men are borne, war chariots (compare see on Isa 21:7; Isa 21:9). Kir--another people subject to Assyria (Kg2 16:9); the region about the river Kur, between the Caspian and Black…”

“And Elam - The southern part of Persia, perhaps used here to denote Persia in general (see the note at Isaiah 21:2). Elam, or Persia, was at this time subject to Assyria, and their forces were united doubtless in the invasion of Judea. Bare the quiver - A ‘quiver’ is a case in which arrows are carried. This was usually hung upon the shoulders, and thus “borne” by the soldier when he entered into battle. By the expression here, is meant that Elam was engaged in the siege, and was distinguished particularly for skill in shooting arrows. That the Elamites were thus distinguished for the use of the bow, is apparent from Ezekiel 32:24, and Jeremiah 49:35. With chariots of men and horsemen - Lowth…”

“Elam - The Persians, who now, and for a long time after, were subject to the Assyrian and Chaldean emperors. Quiver - Being expert bowmen. Horsemen - As some fought on foot, so others fought from chariots and horses. Kir - The Medes, so called from Kir, an eminent city and region of Media. Uncovered - Prepared it and themselves for the battle. Isaiah 22:7”

“22:6 Elamites: Elam was to the east of Babylon and would later play a role in Babylon’s defeat (see 21:2; also Jer 49:34-39). • The actual location of Kir is unknown (see also Amos 1:5).”

“Elam: Isa 21:2; Gen 10:22; Jer 49:35-39 Kir: Isa 15:1; Kg2 16:9; Amo 1:5, Amo 9:7 uncovered: Heb. made naked Isaiah 22:7”

“The advance of the besiegers, which leads to the destruction of the walls, is first described in Isa 22:6, Isa 22:7. "And Elam has taken the quiver, together with chariots with men, horsemen; and Kir has drawn out the shield. And then it comes to pass, that thy choicest valleys are filled with chariots, and the horsemen plant a firm foot towards the gate." Of the nations composing the Assyrian army, the two mentioned are Elam, the Semitic nation of Susiana (Chuzistan), whose original settlements were the row of valleys between the Zagros chain and the chain of advanced mountains bounding the Assyrian plains on the east, and who were greatly dreaded as bowmen ( Eze 32:24; Jer 49:35), and Kir,…”