Isaiah 22:6
New International Version
Elam takes up the quiver, with her charioteers and horses; Kir uncovers the shield.

New Living Translation
Elamites are the archers, with their chariots and charioteers. The men of Kir hold up the shields.

English Standard Version
And Elam bore the quiver with chariots and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.

Berean Standard Bible
Elam takes up a quiver, with chariots and horsemen, and Kir uncovers the shield.

King James Bible
And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.

New King James Version
Elam bore the quiver With chariots of men and horsemen, And Kir uncovered the shield.

New American Standard Bible
Elam picked up the quiver, With the chariots, infantry, and horsemen; And Kir uncovered the shield.

NASB 1995
Elam took up the quiver With the chariots, infantry and horsemen; And Kir uncovered the shield.

NASB 1977
And Elam took up the quiver With the chariots, infantry, and horsemen; And Kir uncovered the shield.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Elam took up the quiver With the chariots, infantry, and horsemen; And Kir uncovered the shield.

Amplified Bible
Elam took up the quiver With the chariots, infantry and horsemen; And Kir uncovered the shield.

Christian Standard Bible
Elam took up a quiver with chariots and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Elam took up a quiver with chariots and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.

American Standard Version
And Elam bare the quiver, with chariots of men and horsemen; and Kir uncovered the shield.

Contemporary English Version
The people of Elam and Kir attacked with chariots and carried shields.

English Revised Version
And Elam bare the quiver, with chariots of men and horsemen; and Kir uncovered the shield.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Elam takes its quiver of arrows, manned chariots, and horsemen. Kir uncovers its shields.

Good News Translation
The soldiers from the land of Elam came riding on horseback, armed with bows and arrows. Soldiers from the land of Kir had their shields ready.

International Standard Version
Elam takes up the quiver with chariots and cavalry, while Kir unsheathes the shield.

Majority Standard Bible
Elam takes up a quiver, with chariots and horsemen, and Kir uncovers the shield.

NET Bible
The Elamites picked up the quiver, and came with chariots and horsemen; the men of Kir prepared the shield.

New Heart English Bible
Elam carried his quiver, with chariots of men and horsemen; and Kir uncovered the shield.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Elam bore the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.

World English Bible
Elam carried his quiver, with chariots of men and horsemen; and Kir uncovered the shield.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Elam has carried a quiver, "" In a chariot of men—horsemen, "" And Kir has exposed a shield.

Young's Literal Translation
And Elam hath borne a quiver, In a chariot of men -- horsemen, And Kir hath exposed a shield.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Elam lifted up the quiver with the chariot of men, horsemen; and Kir made naked the shield.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Elam took the quiver, the chariot of the horseman, and the shield was taken down from the wall.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Elam took up the quiver and the chariot of the horseman; and he stripped the wall of the shield.

New American Bible
Elam takes up the quiver, Aram mounts the horses and Kir uncovers the shields.

New Revised Standard Version
Elam bore the quiver with chariots and cavalry, and Kir uncovered the shield.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Elam bore the quiver with the chariots of men and horsemen, and the shields were seen on the wall.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Ilam carried a quiver with the riders of horsemen and the wall revealed the shields
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Elam bore the quiver, with troops of men, even horsemen; And Kir uncovered the shield.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Elamites took their quivers, and there were men mounted on horses, and there was a gathering for battle.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Valley of Vision
5For the Lord GOD of Hosts has set a day of tumult and trampling and confusion in the Valley of Vision—of breaking down the walls and crying to the mountains. 6Elam takes up a quiver, with chariots and horsemen, and Kir uncovers the shield. 7Your choicest valleys are full of chariots, and horsemen are posted at the gates.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 49:35
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold, I will shatter Elam’s bow, the mainstay of their might.

Ezekiel 27:10
Men of Persia, Lydia, and Put served as warriors in your army. They hung their shields and helmets on your walls; they gave you splendor.

2 Kings 16:9
So the king of Assyria responded to him, marched up to Damascus, and captured it. He took its people to Kir as captives and put Rezin to death.

2 Kings 18:13
In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah.

2 Kings 19:36-37
So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there. / One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place.

2 Chronicles 28:20-21
Then Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came to Ahaz but afflicted him rather than strengthening him. / Although Ahaz had taken a portion from the house of the LORD, from the royal palace, and from the princes and had presented it to the king of Assyria, it did not help him.

Hosea 1:7
Yet I will have compassion on the house of Judah, and I will save them—not by bow or sword or war, not by horses and cavalry, but by the LORD their God.”

Amos 1:5
I will break down the gates of Damascus; I will cut off the ruler from the Valley of Aven and the one who wields the scepter in Beth-eden. The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir,” says the LORD.

Amos 1:13-15
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of the Ammonites, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to enlarge their territory. / So I will kindle a fire in the walls of Rabbah to consume its citadels amid war cries on the day of battle and a violent wind on the day of tempest. / Their king will go into exile—he and his princes together,” says the LORD.

Nahum 3:9
Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength; Put and Libya were her allies.

Matthew 24:6-7
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. / Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Mark 13:7-8
When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. / Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

Luke 21:9-10
When you hear of wars and rebellions, do not be alarmed. These things must happen first, but the end is not imminent.” / Then He told them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

Acts 2:9
Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

Romans 15:19
by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

And Elam bore the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.

Elam

Isaiah 21:2
A 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.

Genesis 10:22
The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.

Jeremiah 49:35-39
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might…

Kir

Isaiah 15:1
The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence;

2 Kings 16:9
And 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.

Amos 1:5
I 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.

uncovered.

Jump to Previous
Aram Armed Arrows Bare Beareth Bore Borne Breastplate Carried Chariot Charioteers Chariots Elam Exposed Horseback Horsemen Horses Infantry Kir Quiver Shield Troops Uncovered Uncovereth Uncovers
Jump to Next
Aram Armed Arrows Bare Beareth Bore Borne Breastplate Carried Chariot Charioteers Chariots Elam Exposed Horseback Horsemen Horses Infantry Kir Quiver Shield Troops Uncovered Uncovereth Uncovers
Isaiah 22
1. The prophet laments the invasion of Jerusalem
8. He reproves their human wisdom and worldly joy
15. He prophesies Shebna's deprivation
20. And the substitution of Eliakim, prefiguring the kingdom of Christ.














Elam
The mention of Elam here is significant as it refers to an ancient kingdom located in what is now southwestern Iran. Historically, Elam was known for its military prowess and was often involved in regional conflicts. In the context of Isaiah, Elam represents a foreign power that God uses as an instrument of judgment against Jerusalem. Theologically, this highlights the sovereignty of God over nations, using them according to His divine purposes. The Hebrew root for Elam, "עֵילָם" ('Eylam), suggests a people of antiquity, emphasizing the longstanding nature of God's interaction with the nations.

took up the quiver
This phrase indicates preparation for battle. The quiver, a container for arrows, symbolizes readiness and the potential for swift and decisive action. In the ancient Near Eastern context, archers were a crucial component of military forces, and the act of taking up the quiver suggests imminent conflict. Spiritually, this can be seen as a metaphor for being prepared for spiritual battles, reminding believers of the need for vigilance and readiness in their walk with God.

with chariots and horsemen
Chariots and horsemen were the elite forces of ancient armies, representing strength, speed, and power. In the biblical narrative, reliance on chariots and horsemen often symbolizes trust in human strength rather than in God. Theologically, this serves as a caution against placing faith in worldly power and instead encourages reliance on divine strength. The presence of these forces underscores the seriousness of the threat facing Jerusalem and the impending judgment.

and Kir
Kir is another foreign entity mentioned in this verse, likely referring to a region or people known for their military capabilities. Historically, Kir is associated with the Assyrian Empire, which was a dominant force during Isaiah's time. The inclusion of Kir alongside Elam suggests a coalition of forces against Jerusalem, emphasizing the severity of the situation. This highlights the theme of God's use of foreign nations to accomplish His purposes, even in judgment.

uncovered the shield
The act of uncovering the shield signifies preparation for battle. In ancient warfare, shields were often covered to protect them from the elements and were only uncovered when battle was imminent. This phrase indicates that the forces are ready to engage in combat. Spiritually, it serves as a reminder of the need for believers to be prepared to defend their faith and stand firm in the face of spiritual challenges. The uncovering of the shield symbolizes the readiness and determination required in spiritual warfare.

(6) Elam . . . Kir . . .--The two nations are named as the chief elements of the Assyrian army then invading Judaea. Elam, previously named as the destroyer of Babylon (Isaiah 21:2), was at this time, as the inscriptions of Sargon show, subject to Assyria (Records of the Past, vii. 29). As in later history (Herod. i. 73, iii. 21; Jeremiah 49:35), it was conspicuous chiefly for its archers. "Kir," named in 2Kings 16:11 as the region to which Tiglath-pileser carried off the people of Damascus, has been identified with the region near the river Kyros, the modern Georgia. There are, however, both linguistic and historical grounds against this identification, and we must be content to look on it as an otherwise unknown region of Mesopotamia. To "uncover the shield" was to draw it out of its leather case (comp. "Scutis tegumenta detrahere"; Caes. Bell. Gall. 2:21), and so to be prepared for battle.

Verse 6. - Elam bare the quiver. Elam, the country extending from the Zagros range to the Lower Tigris, and watered by the Choaspes, Eulaeus, Pasitigris, and other rivers, was an independent kingdom from a very early date (Genesis 14:1, 9), and in Isaiah's time was generally hostile to Assyria. Sargon, however, relates that he conquered a portion of the country, planted colonies in it from the more western parts of his empire, and placed both colonists and natives under the governor of Babylon ('Records of the Past,' vol. 9. p. 16). It is thus quite possible that both Sargon and Sennacherib may have had a contingent of Elamites in their armies. With chariots of men and horsemen; rather, with troops of men (who were) horsemen (comp. Isaiah 21:7). Kir uncovered the shield. "Kir" is mentioned in 2 Kings as the place to which Tiglath-Pileser transported the inhabitants of Damascus (2 Kings 16:9), and by Amos (Amos 9:7) as the original country from which the Syrians were derived. It has been recently identified with Kirkhi, near Diarbekr, or with Kirruri, in the Urumiyah country (Cheyne); but neither identification is marc than possible. (On uncovering shields as a preliminary to engaging in battle, see Caesar, 'Do Bell. Gall.,' 2:21.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Elam
וְעֵילָם֙ (wə·‘ê·lām)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5867: Elam -- a son of Shem, also his descendants and their country

takes up
נָשָׂ֣א (nā·śā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

a quiver,
אַשְׁפָּ֔ה (’aš·pāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 827: A quiver (for arrows)

with chariots
בְּרֶ֥כֶב (bə·re·ḵeḇ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7393: A vehicle, a team, cavalry, a rider, the upper millstone

and horsemen,
פָּֽרָשִׁ֑ים (pā·rā·šîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6571: A steed, a driver, cavalry

and Kir
וְקִ֥יר (wə·qîr)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7024: Kir -- 'wall', a city in Moab

uncovers
עֵרָ֖ה (‘ê·rāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6168: To be, bare, to empty, pour out, demolish

the shield.
מָגֵֽן׃ (mā·ḡên)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 4043: A shield, a protector, the scaly hide of the crocodile


Links
Isaiah 22:6 NIV
Isaiah 22:6 NLT
Isaiah 22:6 ESV
Isaiah 22:6 NASB
Isaiah 22:6 KJV

Isaiah 22:6 BibleApps.com
Isaiah 22:6 Biblia Paralela
Isaiah 22:6 Chinese Bible
Isaiah 22:6 French Bible
Isaiah 22:6 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Isaiah 22:6 Elam carried his quiver with chariots (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 22:5
Top of Page
Top of Page