Isaiah Chapter 22 · Verse 11

Authorized King James Version

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Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.

Original Language Analysis

וּמִקְוָ֣ה׀ also a ditch H4724
וּמִקְוָ֣ה׀ also a ditch
Strong's: H4724
Word #: 1 of 15
a collection, i.e., (of water) a reservoir
עֹשֶׂ֔יהָ Ye made H6213
עֹשֶׂ֔יהָ Ye made
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 2 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בֵּ֚ין H996
בֵּ֚ין
Strong's: H996
Word #: 3 of 15
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
הַחֹ֣מֹתַ֔יִם between the two walls H2346
הַחֹ֣מֹתַ֔יִם between the two walls
Strong's: H2346
Word #: 4 of 15
a wall of protection
לְמֵ֖י for the water H4325
לְמֵ֖י for the water
Strong's: H4325
Word #: 5 of 15
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
הַבְּרֵכָ֣ה pool H1295
הַבְּרֵכָ֣ה pool
Strong's: H1295
Word #: 6 of 15
a reservoir (at which camels kneel as a resting-place)
הַיְשָׁנָ֑ה of the old H3465
הַיְשָׁנָ֑ה of the old
Strong's: H3465
Word #: 7 of 15
old
וְלֹ֤א H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 8 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הִבַּטְתֶּם֙ but ye have not looked H5027
הִבַּטְתֶּם֙ but ye have not looked
Strong's: H5027
Word #: 9 of 15
to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 10 of 15
near, with or among; often in general, to
עֹשֶׂ֔יהָ Ye made H6213
עֹשֶׂ֔יהָ Ye made
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 11 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְיֹצְרָ֥הּ unto him that fashioned H3335
וְיֹצְרָ֥הּ unto him that fashioned
Strong's: H3335
Word #: 12 of 15
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
מֵֽרָח֖וֹק it long ago H7350
מֵֽרָח֖וֹק it long ago
Strong's: H7350
Word #: 13 of 15
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 14 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
רְאִיתֶֽם׃ thereof neither had respect H7200
רְאִיתֶֽם׃ thereof neither had respect
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 15 of 15
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

Analysis & Commentary

Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool—continuing water system improvements. The ditch (מִקְוָה, miqveh, reservoir/collection pool) channeled water from the old pool (הַבְּרֵכָה הַיְשָׁנָה, haberekhah hayeshanah) between two walls, protecting it during siege. Sophisticated hydraulic engineering.

But ye have not looked unto the maker thereof (וְלֹא הִבַּטְתֶּם אֶל־עֹשֶׂהָ, velo hibattem el-oseha)—the devastating indictment. They looked to (הִבִּיט, hibbit, gazed at, regarded, trusted) armor, water systems, fortifications, but not to the Maker. The maker thereof refers to God who created Jerusalem, established it, planned it.

Neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago (וְיֹצְרָהּ מֵרָחוֹק לֹא רְאִיתֶם, veyotsrah merachoq lo re'item)—"fashioned" (יָצַר, yatsar) is the potter/designer word used in Genesis 2:7 for God forming man. God shaped Jerusalem's history and destiny "long ago" (מֵרָחוֹק, merachoq, from afar/ancient times). They saw immediate threats but ignored the eternal God.

This is the chapter's theological climax: comprehensive human preparation (vv.8-11) without spiritual repentance or trust in God is ultimately futile. They trusted the created (walls, water, weapons) while ignoring the Creator.

Historical Context

This verse may reference Hezekiah's famous tunnel project (2 Kings 20:20, 2 Chronicles 32:3-4, 30), which brought Gihon Spring water inside the city via a 1,750-foot tunnel—an engineering marvel still visible today. The tunnel inscription found in 1880 describes how workers dug from both ends and met in the middle. While this was wise planning, Isaiah condemns doing such work without corresponding spiritual preparation—repentance, prayer, trust in God who controls whether sieges succeed or fail.

Questions for Reflection