Isaiah 22:4

2 O city of commotion, O town of revelry? Your slain did not die by the sword, nor were they killed in battle.

3 All your rulers have fled together, captured without a bow. All your fugitives were captured together, having fled to a distant place.

Therefore I said, “Turn away from me, let me weep bitterly! Do not try to console me over the destruction of the daughter of my people.”

5 For 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.

6 Elam takes up a quiver, with chariots and horsemen, and Kir uncovers the shield.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Therefore I said, “Turn away from me, let me weep bitterly! Do not try to console me over the destruction of the daughter of my people.”
KJV
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.
WEB
Therefore I said, “Look away from me. I will weep bitterly. Don’t labor to comfort me for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
ASV
Therefore said I, Look away from me, I will weep bitterly; labor not to comfort me for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
DARBY
Therefore said I, Look away from me; let me weep bitterly: labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.
BLB
Upon thus I said, “Look away from me, let me be bitter; do not hurry in my weeping to comfort me over the destruction of the daughter of my people!”
ÅB
Derfor sier jeg: Se bort fra meg! Jeg må gråte bittert. Treng ikke inn på meg for å trøste meg over mitt folks undergang!
OTB
Derfor sa jeg: “Se bort fra meg; la meg gråte bittert. Forsøk ikke å trøste meg over mitt folks ødeleggelse.”
B1930
Derfor sier jeg: Se bort fra mig! Jeg må gråte bittert. Treng ikke inn på mig for å trøste mig over mitt folks undergang!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Jeremiah 9:1

    Oh, that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night over the slain daughter of my people.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 2:18

    “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 13:17

    But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.

    Read in context
  • Micah 1:8

    Because of this I will lament and wail; I will walk barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and mourn like an ostrich.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 77:2

    In the day of trouble I sought the Lord; through the night my outstretched hands did not grow weary; my soul refused to be comforted.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 31:15

    This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 33:7

    Behold, their valiant ones cry aloud in the streets; the envoys of peace weep bitterly.

    Read in context
  • Ruth 1:20–21

    “Do not call me Naomi,” she replied. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has dealt quite bitterly with me.

    Read in context