Isaiah 22:8
And he discovered the covering of Judah, and thou didst look in that day to the armour of the house of the forest.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְגַ֕ל
And he discovered
H1540
וַיְגַ֕ל
And he discovered
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
1 of 11
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
אֵ֖ת
H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
4 of 11
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וַתַּבֵּט֙
and thou didst look
H5027
וַתַּבֵּט֙
and thou didst look
Strong's:
H5027
Word #:
5 of 11
to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care
בַּיּ֣וֹם
in that day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
in that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
6 of 11
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַה֔וּא
H1931
הַה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
7 of 11
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
נֶ֖שֶׁק
to the armour
H5402
נֶ֖שֶׁק
to the armour
Strong's:
H5402
Word #:
9 of 11
military equipment, i.e., (collectively) arms (offensive or defensive), or (concretely) an arsenal
Cross References
1 Kings 7:2He built also the house of the forest of Lebanon; the length thereof was an hundred cubits, and the breadth thereof fifty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits, upon four rows of cedar pillars, with cedar beams upon the pillars.1 Kings 10:17And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
Historical Context
The 'house of the forest of Lebanon' was Solomon's impressive armory (1 Kings 7:2-5), named for its cedar pillars. It stored 500 shields and various weapons. When threatened by Sennacherib's invasion (701 BC), Hezekiah did exactly this—prepared defenses, fortified walls, secured water supply (2 Chronicles 32:2-5). These were wise military measures, but Isaiah condemns trusting these instead of repenting and seeking God (vv.12-14). Later, Babylon emptied this very armory (2 Kings 25:13-17).
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that God 'discovered the covering of Judah'—removing their sense of security to expose their true vulnerability?
- How do we similarly 'look to the armour' of human resources, strategies, or preparations instead of first looking to God in crisis?
- Why are good strategic preparations insufficient when spiritual repentance and dependence on God are absent?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he discovered the covering of Judah (וַיְגַל אֵת מָסַךְ יְהוּדָה, vayegal et masakh Yehudah)—"discovered" (גָּלָה, galah) means uncovered, revealed, exposed. The "covering" (מָסַךְ, masakh) could refer to protective defense or the veil of false security. God removes Judah's defenses, exposing their vulnerability.
And thou didst look in that day to the armour of the house of the forest—when danger came, Judah looked to the house of the forest (בֵּית־יַעַר, beit-ya'ar), Solomon's armory built with Lebanon cedar (1 Kings 7:2, 10:17), which stored weapons and shields. The verb "didst look" (נָבַט, nabat) means to regard, consider, trust in.
The indictment: when God removed protection, they looked to weapons stockpiles instead of looking to God. This begins a series of human efforts (vv.9-11): inspecting breaches, gathering water, numbering houses, breaking down buildings to fortify walls—all pragmatic military preparations, but missing the essential element: seeking God. Good strategy without repentance is futile.