Isaiah 22:6-7

22:6 The Elamites picked up the quiver,

and came with chariots and horsemen; ¹ 

the men of Kir ²  prepared ³  the shield. ⁴ 

22:7 Your very best valleys were full of chariots; ⁵ 

horsemen confidently took their positions ⁶  at the gate.

[22:6]  ¹ tn Heb “[with] the chariots of men, horsemen.”

[22:6]  ² sn A distant region in the direction of Mesopotamia; see Amos 1:5; 9:7.

[22:6]  ³ tn Heb “Kir uncovers” (so NAB, NIV).

[22:6]  ⁴ sn The Elamites and men of Kir may here symbolize a fierce army from a distant land. If this oracle anticipates a Babylonian conquest of the city (see 39:5-7), then the Elamites and men of Kir are perhaps viewed here as mercenaries in the Babylonian army. See J. N. Oswalt, Isaiah (NICOT), 1:410.

[22:7]  ⁵ tn The verb that introduces this verse serves as a discourse particle and is untranslated; see note on “in the future” in 2:2.

[22:7]  ⁶ tn Heb “taking a stand, take their stand.” The infinitive absolute emphasizes the following finite verb. The translation attempts to bring out this emphasis with the adverb “confidently.”