Isaiah 22:5 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God Himself will bring judgment: military destruction, confusion, and despair striking Jerusalem in the valley of vision.
The Context of Isaiah 22:5
The Lord orchestrates judgment against Jerusalem through military invasion and siege.
What Does Isaiah 22:5 Mean?
This verse attributes the crisis directly to the Lord GOD of hosts—the God of armies and all power. 'A day of trouble' signals catastrophe; 'treading down' evokes an invading army trampling and subjugating the city. 'Perplexity' suggests a paralyzing confusion, a loss of direction and hope.
'Breaking down the walls' and 'crying to the mountains' complete the image: literal siege warfare destroying Jerusalem's fortifications, coupled with desperate pleas for help from the surrounding terrain. All of this unfolds in 'the valley of vision'—the place where God's word is made known. The irony is sharp: the city of revelation becomes a place of ruin.
Isaiah 22:5 in the Original Language
tsarah (צָרָה), 'trouble'—distress, adversity, tight or narrow circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 22:5
What does Isaiah 22:5 mean?
God Himself will bring judgment: military destruction, confusion, and despair striking Jerusalem in the valley of vision.
What is the context of Isaiah 22:5?
The Lord orchestrates judgment against Jerusalem through military invasion and siege.