God’s prophet laments the impending judgment upon Jerusalem.
Isaiah, a prophet who ministered in the southern kingdom of Judah from about 740 to 681 B.C., continues his lament over Jerusalem in this verse. He cries out, “Therefore I say, ‘Turn your eyes away from me, Let me weep bitterly, Do not try to comfort me concerning the destruction of the daughter of my people.’” (v.4). Here, Isaiah’s plea underscores the depth of grief he feels over the coming judgment. The phrase “the daughter of my people” points specifically to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who would face catastrophe at the hands of foreign invaders. Located in the central hill country of Judah, Jerusalem was the cultural and spiritual center where the temple of the LORD stood, firmly linking God’s chosen people to His covenant promises. The sorrow Isaiah expresses is so intense that he both longs to mourn alone and refuses the solace of others.
“Turn your eyes away from me…” (v.4) illustrates Isaiah’s desire to be left to his personal anguish. By imploring people not to look upon his tears, the prophet conveys the devastating sense of hopelessness he anticipates for Jerusalem. Some biblical passages show a similar response to looming calamity (Jeremiah 8:21), reminding us that God’s servants often feel great burden for the spiritual condition of His people. Isaiah’s sorrow is not driven by personal misfortune; instead, it reflects a deep empathy for the suffering they will endure as a consequence of disobedience.
When Isaiah declares, “Do not try to comfort me…” (v.4), he shows he knows Jerusalem’s fate is sealed. In this moment, consolation seems hollow because the city’s rebellion has already emerged as a fearful reality. This grief was intended to call the people to repentance, echoing the broader message found throughout the Old Testament prophetic books, ultimately preparing the way for the salvation that would be fully revealed in Jesus Christ (Luke 24:44). Isaiah’s words remind readers that true comfort is intertwined with genuine repentance—a lesson that resonates throughout the Bible and finds its answer in the redemption and grace offered through Christ (John 1:17).
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Isaiah 22:4 meaning
Isaiah, a prophet who ministered in the southern kingdom of Judah from about 740 to 681 B.C., continues his lament over Jerusalem in this verse. He cries out, “Therefore I say, ‘Turn your eyes away from me, Let me weep bitterly, Do not try to comfort me concerning the destruction of the daughter of my people.’” (v.4). Here, Isaiah’s plea underscores the depth of grief he feels over the coming judgment. The phrase “the daughter of my people” points specifically to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who would face catastrophe at the hands of foreign invaders. Located in the central hill country of Judah, Jerusalem was the cultural and spiritual center where the temple of the LORD stood, firmly linking God’s chosen people to His covenant promises. The sorrow Isaiah expresses is so intense that he both longs to mourn alone and refuses the solace of others.
“Turn your eyes away from me…” (v.4) illustrates Isaiah’s desire to be left to his personal anguish. By imploring people not to look upon his tears, the prophet conveys the devastating sense of hopelessness he anticipates for Jerusalem. Some biblical passages show a similar response to looming calamity (Jeremiah 8:21), reminding us that God’s servants often feel great burden for the spiritual condition of His people. Isaiah’s sorrow is not driven by personal misfortune; instead, it reflects a deep empathy for the suffering they will endure as a consequence of disobedience.
When Isaiah declares, “Do not try to comfort me…” (v.4), he shows he knows Jerusalem’s fate is sealed. In this moment, consolation seems hollow because the city’s rebellion has already emerged as a fearful reality. This grief was intended to call the people to repentance, echoing the broader message found throughout the Old Testament prophetic books, ultimately preparing the way for the salvation that would be fully revealed in Jesus Christ (Luke 24:44). Isaiah’s words remind readers that true comfort is intertwined with genuine repentance—a lesson that resonates throughout the Bible and finds its answer in the redemption and grace offered through Christ (John 1:17).