Isaiah
24:12
12 In the city [`iyr] is left [sha'ar] desolation [shammah], and
the gate [sha`ar] is smitten [kathath] with destruction [sha'iyah]. KJV-Interlinear
12 Desolation is left in the city; the
gates are battered into ruins. ESV
Isaiah first mentions
the city in general, and then he identifies a specific part of the city, namely
the gates or entrances to the city.
In ancient days
as it is today, the city identifies the community of people who live and work
and trade with a certain degree of security and freedom within the confines of the
city walls.
The gates to the
city, provide a central place for traffic coming and going, and often times
represents the public place for justice or public notices.
Desolation,
often times means the absence of people.
And, the gates being destroyed and no longer functioning as they should,
represent the breakdown in commerce and freedom and security.
In other words,
the community is destroyed and no longer functioning. There is no freedom, no protection, no
security, no social order, no public services, no emergency services, and no
commerce. Life, if it even exists, has ground to a halt.
