And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall.

ISAIAH 22:10KJV
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Isaiah 22:10 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 22:10 mean?

Isaiah 22:10 describes the people of Jerusalem counting their houses and tearing some down to use the materials to strengthen the city wall. The verse shows how desperate the city’s leaders were to defend Jerusalem during a time of threat, even if it meant destroying their own homes for the sake of security.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Jerusalem, pointing out their actions during a siege or impending attack. Instead of turning to God for help, they focused on practical measures like fortifying the city by breaking down houses to repair or reinforce the wall. This verse highlights the urgency and seriousness of the situation, as well as the choices the people made under pressure.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 22:10

  • "numbered" (סָפַר, saphar): This word means to count or take account of. Here, it shows that the people were carefully assessing which houses could be sacrificed for building materials.
  • "broken down" (נָתַץ, natas): This word means to tear down or demolish. The verse uses it to describe the drastic step of destroying homes to get stones or bricks for the city wall.
  • "fortify" (בָּצַר, batsar): This word means to make something strong or secure. In this context, it refers to reinforcing the city wall to protect against attack.
  • "wall" (חוֹמָה, chomah): This is the standard word for a city wall, emphasizing the focus on defense and protection.

Why Isaiah 22:10 matters

  • Isaiah 22:10 helps clear up that the people’s response to danger was practical and desperate, not spiritual—they relied on their own efforts rather than seeking God’s help.
  • The verse highlights the severity of the threat facing Jerusalem, showing that the situation was so dire that even personal property was sacrificed for the city’s defense.
  • This detail connects to the wider passage, where Isaiah criticizes the people for trusting in their own preparations instead of turning to God, setting up a contrast between human effort and faith.

Where else these words appear

“fortify” Hebrew H1219 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 11:6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
  • 2 Kings 18:13 Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them.
  • Isaiah 36:1 Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them.

“down” Hebrew H5422 · used in 41 verses

  • Exodus 34:13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:
  • 2 Kings 10:27 And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day.
  • Job 19:10 He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like a tree.

“wall” Hebrew H2346 · used in 123 verses

  • Exodus 14:22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
  • Nehemiah 1:3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.
  • Isaiah 36:11 Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews' language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.