Keraia
Isaiah 36

Isaiah 36:3

Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem · Isaiah 36:1–22
Read Isaiah 36

Translations

Modern
Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to him.
Traditional
Then came forth unto him Eliakim, Hilkiah’s son, which was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, Asaph’s son, the recorder.
Literal
And went out to him Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder.
Latin
Et egressus est ad eum Eliacim, filius Helciæ, qui erat super domum, et Sobna scriba, et Joahe filius Asaph, a commentariis.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to him.

Notes

Isaiah 36:3

Eliakim eventually advanced in rank, while Shebna was demoted (see Isaiah 22:15–24).

Isaiah 36:1–39:8

Jerusalem’s rescue from King Sennacherib of Assyria is a main event in Isaiah 1–39. The Lord promised to save his people. He would remain present with Jerusalem (see 7:14). He would also keep a remnant, a small group who would survive (see study note on Isaiah 10:20).

Much of the land became empty and the population greatly reduced. This happened because Judah made a foolish alliance with Assyria (chapters 7–8). Even so, the Lord did not allow total defeat. He preserved his people through Hezekiah, a faithful king.

Hezekiah faced the same kind of test that King Ahaz had faced. It was a test of trust in the Lord. In chapter 36, the Assyrian officer repeats the word trust as he challenges the people. But Hezekiah had learned from the earlier warnings in chapters 13–35. At least at first, he trusted God and passed the test.

This story also appears in 2 Kings 18:13–20:19.

Events

Parallels

2 Kings 18:13–37 2 Chronicles 32:1–8

People

Asaph: Recorder during King Hezekiah's reign Eliakim: Palace administrator under King Hezekiah Hilkiah: An official during King Hezekiah's reign Joah: Son of Asaph, King Hezekiah's secretary Shebna: Steward of the palace during Hezekiah's reign

Glossary

Assyria, Assyrians Hezekiah Hilkiah History of Israel Inscriptions Isaiah, Book of Joah Kings, Books of First and Second Lachish Micah (Person) Rabshakeh Scribe

Topics

Asaph: Father of Joah Cabinet: Hezekiah's Eliakim: Son of Hilkiah, Deputy of Hezekiah Hilkiah: officer of Hezekiah Joah: Son of Asaph Shebna (Shebnah): A Scribe of Hezekiah