King James Version

What Does Isaiah 22:4 Mean?

Isaiah 22:4 in the King James Version says “Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daug...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people. weep: Heb. be bitter in weeping”

Isaiah 22:4 · KJV

Comfort

Context

2

Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, a joyous city: thy slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle.

3

All thy rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers: all that are found in thee are bound together, which have fled from far. by: Heb. of the bow

4

Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people. weep: Heb. be bitter in weeping

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.

6

And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield. uncovered: Heb. made naked

Read Isaiah 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Look away from me; I will weep bitterly—Isaiah's anguish is so profound he refuses comfort. The Hebrew אָמַר (amar, "Therefore said I") introduces his personal lament. I will weep bitterly (אֶבְכֶּה בַמָּרִי, evkeh vamari) uses the verb בָּכָה (bakah, weep) intensified by mar (bitter)—sobbing with bitter grief, not mere sadness.

Labour not to comfort me (אַל־תָּאִיצוּ לְנַחֲמֵנִי, al-ta'itsu lenachameni)—don't hurry/press to console me. True prophets don't just announce judgment; they grieve over it. The spoiling of the daughter of my people (שֹׁד בַּת־עַמִּי, shod bat-ami)—"daughter of my people" is a tender, corporate term for Jerusalem/Judah. The prophet's heart breaks over the coming devastation, modeling how God's messengers should combine truth-telling with compassion.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Prophetic grief is a consistent biblical theme. Jeremiah is the 'weeping prophet' (Jeremiah 9:1, 13:17). Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). Paul had 'great heaviness and continual sorrow' for Israel (Romans 9:2). Isaiah's bitter weeping shows that announcing judgment doesn't mean callousness—true prophets grieve over sin's consequences even while declaring them. This distinguishes genuine prophetic ministry from harsh judgmentalism.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Isaiah's refusal of comfort teach about the depth of grief appropriate when God's people face judgment?
  2. How can we balance declaring truth about sin's consequences with genuine compassion for those facing judgment?
  3. What does 'the daughter of my people' reveal about how we should view the church or our nation—with tender concern despite their failures?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
עַל1 of 14
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּ֥ן2 of 14
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

אָמַ֛רְתִּי3 of 14

“Therefore said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁע֥וּ4 of 14

“I Look away”

H8159

to gaze at or about (properly, for help); by implication, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed (as looking around in amazement) or bewil

מִנִּ֖י5 of 14
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

אֲמָרֵ֣ר6 of 14

“bitterly”

H4843

to be (causatively, make) bitter (literally or figuratively)

בַּבֶּ֑כִי7 of 14

“from me I will weep”

H1065

a weeping; by analogy, a dripping

אַל8 of 14
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תָּאִ֣יצוּ9 of 14

“labour”

H213

to press; (by implication) to be close, hurry, withdraw

לְנַֽחֲמֵ֔נִי10 of 14

“not to comfort”

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

עַל11 of 14
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שֹׁ֖ד12 of 14

“me because of the spoiling”

H7701

violence, ravage

בַּת13 of 14

“of the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

עַמִּֽי׃14 of 14

“of my people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 22:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 22:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 9:1Matthew 2:18Jeremiah 31:15Jeremiah 13:17Psalms 77:2Micah 1:8

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