The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?

ISAIAH 22:1KJV
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Isaiah 22:1 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 22:1 mean?

Isaiah 22:1 opens a troubling message addressed to Jerusalem, called “the valley of vision.” Isaiah asks why the city’s people have all gone up to their rooftops. His question draws attention to a public gathering at a time when danger is near.

Flat housetops could provide a place to see what was happening around the city. Isaiah’s question gives the scene an uneasy tone, especially beside the noisy celebration described in verse 2. “Vision” points to what Isaiah sees as he speaks God’s message to the city.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 22:1

  • “burden” — מַשָּׂא (massaʾ): This word can mean a load and is also used for a weighty message. Here, the title introduces a serious message about the “valley of vision.”
  • “vision” — חִזָּיוֹן (ḥizzayon): This word refers to something seen, including a vision given to a prophet. In the city’s name, the word links the place with what Isaiah has been given to see.

Why Isaiah 22:1 matters

  • The city is addressed as a whole. “Thou” and “thee” speak to the city as one, while “wholly” pictures its people gathering on the roofs.
  • The title and the scene create a contrast. “The valley of vision” sounds like a place of insight, yet Isaiah’s question suggests that the crowd’s behavior deserves scrutiny.
  • The gathering is not presented as an ordinary quiet moment. The next verse describes the city as full of noise and rejoicing, while the verses that follow tell of distress.

Where else these words appear

“vision” Hebrew H2384 · used in 9 verses

  • 2 Samuel 7:17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
  • Job 7:14 Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:
  • Isaiah 22:5 For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity by the Lord GOD of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains.

“now” Hebrew H645 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 27:33 And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.
  • Judges 9:38 Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.
  • Job 19:23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!

“housetops” Hebrew H1406 · used in 27 verses

  • Exodus 30:3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.
  • 1 Samuel 9:26 And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.
  • Proverbs 21:9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

“valley” Hebrew H1516 · used in 54 verses

  • Numbers 21:20 And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon.
  • 1 Chronicles 4:39 And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.
  • Jeremiah 2:23 How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;