Isaiah 22:6
And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.
Original Language Analysis
וְעֵילָם֙
And Elam
H5867
וְעֵילָם֙
And Elam
Strong's:
H5867
Word #:
1 of 9
elam, a son of shem and his descendants, with their country; also of six israelites
נָשָׂ֣א
bare
H5375
נָשָׂ֣א
bare
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
2 of 9
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
בְּרֶ֥כֶב
with chariots
H7393
בְּרֶ֥כֶב
with chariots
Strong's:
H7393
Word #:
4 of 9
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone
אָדָ֖ם
of men
H120
אָדָ֖ם
of men
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
5 of 9
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
פָּֽרָשִׁ֑ים
and horsemen
H6571
פָּֽרָשִׁ֑ים
and horsemen
Strong's:
H6571
Word #:
6 of 9
a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e., (collectively) cavalry
Cross References
2 Kings 16:9And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.Isaiah 21:2A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.Amos 1:5I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD.Amos 9:7Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir?
Historical Context
Elam appears in biblical and ancient Near Eastern records as a significant power. Elamites were present at Pentecost (Acts 2:9), showing their continued existence. In Isaiah's time, Elam was sometimes allied with or subject to Assyria. Later, Elam became part of the Persian Empire. The mention of specific nations shows Isaiah prophesied concrete historical invasions, not merely symbolic judgments. God sovereignly directs nations to accomplish His purposes.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's use of pagan nations (Elam, Kir) to discipline His people teach about His sovereignty over all nations?
- How should the specificity of Isaiah's prophecy (naming actual nations) strengthen our confidence in biblical prophecy?
- What warning does this give about trusting military alliances or strength when spiritual unfaithfulness characterizes God's people?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen—Elam (עֵילָם, Eilam) was an ancient kingdom east of Babylon (modern western Iran). Their soldiers carried quivers (אַשְׁפָּה, ashpah) full of arrows, with chariots and cavalry. Elamites served in various Mesopotamian armies, including Assyria's and later Babylon's.
And Kir uncovered the shield (וְקִיר עֵרָה מָגֵן, veQir erah magen)—Kir's location is uncertain (possibly near Elam, or in Moab/Mesopotamia). "Uncovered the shield" means removing protective coverings, preparing shields for battle. Amos 1:5 and 9:7 mention Kir as a place of exile for Arameans/Syrians.
Both nations represent foreign military forces attacking Jerusalem. The specificity of naming Elam and Kir emphasizes that judgment comes through identifiable historical armies, not vague "enemies." God uses pagan nations as instruments of discipline against His own people when they trust fortifications (vv.8-11) instead of Him.