Isaiah 22:9

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 22:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And ye saw the breaches of the city of David, that they were many; and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And ye saw the breaches of the city of David, that they were many; and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool;
Isaiah 22:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9And ye saw the breaches of the city of David, that they were many; and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many, &c.] Not Jerusalem in general, but that part of it which was called the stronghold of Zion, and in particular had the name of the city of David, (<100507>2 Samuel 5:7) the fortifications of which, in times of peace, had gone to decay; and which they had seen before, but took no notice of, being in safety; but now besieged, and in great danger, they looked upon them in good earnest, in order to repair them, and secure themselves from the irruption of the enemy; for this is not to be understood of breaches now made by the Assyrian army, but of old ones, which had lain neglected; (see <143205> 2 Chronicles 32:5): and ye…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Ye have seen--rather, "Ye shall see." city of David--the upper city, on Zion, the south side of Jerusalem (Sa2 5:7, Sa2 5:9; Kg1 8:1); surrounded by a wall of its own; but even in it there shall be "breaches." Hezekiah's preparations for defense accord with this (Ch2 32:5). ye gathered--rather, "ye shall gather." lower pool--(See on Isa 22:11). Ye shall bring together into the city by subterranean passages cut in the rock of Zion, the fountain from which the lower pool (only mentioned here) is supplied. See on Isa 7:3; Kg2 20:20; Ch2 32:3-5, represent Hezekiah as having stopped the fountains to prevent the Assyrians getting water. But this is consistent with the passage here. The superfluous…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Ye have seen also the breaches - You who are inhabitants of the city. That such breaches were actually made, see 2 Chronicles 32:5. Of the city of David - Of Jerusalem, so called because it was the royal residence of David. Zion was usually called the city of David, but the name was given also to the entire city. And ye gathered together ... - That is, Hezekiah and the people of the city collected those waters. Of the lower pool - (For a description of the upper and lower pool, see the notes at Isaiah 7:3). The superfluous waters of the lower pool usually flowed into the valley of Hinnom, and thence, into the valley of Jehoshaphat, mingling with the waters of the brook Kedron. It would seem…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Seen - That is, observed in order to the reparation of them. The waters - That you might both deprive the enemy of water, and supply the city with it. Isaiah 22:10”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“22:9 Jerusalem (literally the city of David): Calling Jerusalem “the city of David” evokes memories of Israel’s greatest king and God’s blessing upon him and the nation (see also 60:14). • You store up water in the lower pool: Hezekiah expended great energy in ensuring a constant supply of water (see 22:11; 2 Kgs 20:20).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Kg2 20:20; Ch2 32:1-6, Ch2 32:30 Isaiah 22:11”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification