Isaiah 22 15

Isaiah 22:15 kjv

Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say,

Isaiah 22:15 nkjv

Thus says the Lord GOD of hosts: "Go, proceed to this steward, To Shebna, who is over the house, and say:

Isaiah 22:15 niv

This is what the Lord, the LORD Almighty, says: "Go, say to this steward, to Shebna the palace administrator:

Isaiah 22:15 esv

Thus says the Lord GOD of hosts, "Come, go to this steward, to Shebna, who is over the household, and say to him:

Isaiah 22:15 nlt

This is what the Lord, the LORD of Heaven's Armies, said to me: "Confront Shebna, the palace administrator, and give him this message:

Isaiah 22 verses

Isaiah 22 15 meaning

Isaiah 22:15 introduces a direct divine command from the Lord GOD of hosts to the prophet Isaiah. The command instructs Isaiah to confront a specific individual named Shebna, who holds the significant position of "steward" or chief administrator "over the household," often understood as akin to a prime minister or a vizier in the Judean court. This verse sets the stage for a pronouncement of judgment and removal against Shebna due to his misuse of power and misplaced trust.

Isaiah 22 15 Context

Isaiah 22:15 appears within a section of prophecy known as "The Oracle Concerning the Valley of Vision" (Isa 22:1-25), primarily focused on Jerusalem (referred to as "Valley of Vision" possibly due to its strategic location and prophetic significance). The preceding verses (22:1-14) describe Jerusalem's premature and defiant celebration amidst an impending national crisis, likely the Assyrian threat under Sennacherib. Instead of turning to God in repentance and humility, the people, particularly the leadership, sought to fortify the city themselves, emptying houses for materials and focusing on their own provisions without "looking to Him who did it, or having regard for Him who purposed it long ago" (Isa 22:11). The Lord responded with a decree of certain destruction and a vow that their sin would not be atoned for until death. Immediately following this collective indictment, verse 15 pivots to a specific individual: Shebna. This transition underscores that the spiritual corruption extended from the general populace to the highest echelons of government, culminating in a personal indictment of a key leader whose actions exemplified the national sin. The historical context places this during the reign of King Hezekiah, where Shebna held significant sway.

Isaiah 22 15 Word analysis

• Thus says (כֹּה אָמַר, koh amar): This is a standard prophetic formula, directly preceding a divine oracle or command. It immediately signals that what follows is not merely Isaiah's opinion or thought, but a divinely inspired, authoritative message originating from God Himself. It functions to authenticate the prophecy as truly the word of the Lord.

• the Lord GOD of hosts (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה צְבָאוֹת, Adonai Yahweh Tzeva'ot): This is an extremely powerful and composite divine title, emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty and immense power.

  • Adonai: "My Lord," signifying ownership, mastery, and absolute authority.
  • Yahweh: The covenant name of God, indicating His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His people.
  • Tzeva'ot: "Hosts" or "Armies," referring to the innumerable spiritual beings (angels) at His command, the heavenly bodies, and potentially earthly armies or cosmic powers. Together, this title asserts God's supreme reign over all creation, both seen and unseen. It underscores the ultimate authority behind the judgment to be pronounced against Shebna, implying no earthly power, however high, can defy Him.

• Go, go (לֵךְ, lekh): The Hebrew is the imperative singular form of "to go." Some translations like NASB and KJV double it ("Go, get thee," or "Go, go") to capture the emphatic and urgent nature of the command, a strong imperative instructing Isaiah to take immediate and direct action to confront Shebna.

• this steward (הַסֹּכֵן הַזֶּה, has-sokhen hazzeh):

  • Sokhen (סֹכֵן): Refers to a manager, superintendent, or steward. This title implies significant administrative responsibility and trust, not merely a household servant. It was a high administrative office within the royal court, comparable to a viceroy or governor, in charge of a king's possessions and affairs. It is often rendered "prefect" or "prime minister" in scholarly works.
  • Hazzeh (הַזֶּה): "This," a demonstrative pronoun. It makes the identity of the person explicit and removes any ambiguity, indicating Shebna was a well-known, public figure.

• to Shebna (אֶל־שֶׁבְנָא, el-shebna): The direct address to the person by name confirms the specific target of the prophecy. Shebna, an actual historical figure mentioned elsewhere (2 Kings 18:18; Isa 36:3), likely held a high position, perhaps even vying for a dynasty, as hinted at in later verses of Isaiah 22 regarding his tomb.

• who is over the household (אֲשֶׁר עַל־הַבָּיִת, asher al-hab-bayit): Lit. "who is upon the house" or "who is over the house." This phrase specifically defines the sokhen's prominent role as the highest-ranking official under the king, often managing the entire royal administration and holding the keys to the king's treasury and resources. It indicates immense power, influence, and proximity to the king's affairs, equivalent to the chief minister or prime minister. This office is later shown to entail having "the key of the house of David on his shoulder" (Isa 22:22), symbolizing ultimate authority.

Isaiah 22 15 Bonus section

The naming of Shebna in this verse, coupled with his high office "over the household," positions him as a figure analogous to Joseph in Pharaoh's court (Gen 41:40) or Nehemiah as cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes (Neh 1:11). Such a role conferred significant political influence, access, and decision-making power. In Isaiah 22:19-25, God declares Shebna's impending removal and replacement by Eliakim. This foreshadows a pattern of divine stewardship and accountability, hinting at the broader concept of the "keys of the kingdom," which in the New Testament is given to Peter (Matt 16:19) and symbolizes spiritual authority. Shebna’s example serves as a potent warning against using positions of influence for personal ambition or seeking security in human power rather than in the Lord of Hosts. His disgrace contrasts sharply with Eliakim, who is portrayed as a stable "peg in a sure place," subtly foreshadowing the faithfulness of Christ as the true, ultimate steward of God's house.

Isaiah 22 15 Commentary

Isaiah 22:15 marks a pivotal moment, shifting from a general condemnation of Jerusalem's folly to a direct, personalized indictment against its most powerful administrative figure, Shebna. The robust title, "the Lord GOD of hosts," not only authenticates the message as divine but also starkly contrasts with Shebna's earthly power, establishing God's ultimate authority over all human rulers. Isaiah is given a clear, urgent directive to confront Shebna, who is not merely a household manager but the highest-ranking official "over the household"—a position of immense trust and power, similar to a modern-day prime minister or chief of staff. Shebna, whose actions and ambitions are further revealed in the following verses (his lavish tomb-building, pride), serves as an example of an unfaithful steward who misuses his authority for personal gain and self-exaltation rather than faithfully serving God and the people. This specific judgment illustrates God's active involvement in the governance of nations, His keen observation of leadership, and His readiness to remove those who abuse their positions, regardless of their perceived earthly security.