Isaiah 36 3

Isaiah 36:3 kjv

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.

Isaiah 36:3 nkjv

And Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder, came out to him.

Isaiah 36:3 niv

Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebna the secretary, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder went out to him.

Isaiah 36:3 esv

And there came out to him Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebna the secretary, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder.

Isaiah 36:3 nlt

These are the officials who went out to meet with them: Eliakim son of Hilkiah, the palace administrator; Shebna the court secretary; and Joah son of Asaph, the royal historian.

Isaiah 36 verses

Isaiah 36 3 Meaning

Isaiah 36:3 introduces the three high-ranking officials King Hezekiah of Judah sent to meet Rabshakeh, the Assyrian field commander, during Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem. These officials – Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah – represented the top echelons of Hezekiah's government, underscoring the gravity and diplomatic importance of the encounter with the Assyrian delegates. Their presence signifies Judah's official, albeit human, response to the overwhelming foreign threat, setting the stage for the crucial dialogue and the subsequent divine intervention.

Isaiah 36 3 Context

Isaiah 36 serves as the opening chapter of what is often called "The Book of Historical Appendix" (Chapters 36-39) within Isaiah, providing the historical backdrop for many of the prophecies concerning Judah's deliverance and future. It occurs during a critical period in Judah's history, the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah's reign, around 701 BC. The powerful Assyrian Empire, under King Sennacherib, has already conquered most of the fortified cities of Judah (Isa 36:1, 2 Ki 18:13). Jerusalem, though besieged, remains defiant, largely due to Hezekiah's faith and the prophecies of Isaiah.

The immediate context leading to verse 3 is the arrival of Sennacherib's large army at Lachish, a strategically important city, and the subsequent dispatch of the Rabshakeh with a great army to Jerusalem (Isa 36:2). Rabshakeh, an Assyrian field commander, speaks Hebrew and confronts Jerusalem's representatives, challenging their trust in Egypt and, more significantly, in the LORD God. Verse 3 thus introduces the human delegation sent by Hezekiah to receive this challenge, marking the start of a diplomatic confrontation that underscores Judah's desperation and reliance on God. The chapter vividly sets up the contrast between Assyria's overwhelming human power and the impending divine intervention promised through Isaiah.

Isaiah 36 3 Word analysis

• Then came forth: This phrase, "Then came out to him" (וַיֵּצֵא אֵלָיו, wayyēṣē ʾēlāyw), denotes an official, formal deputation in response to a significant arrival or demand. It highlights the gravity of the Assyrian delegation's presence.

• to him: Refers to the Rabshakeh, the Assyrian field commander (mentioned in Isa 36:2).

• Eliakim: Hebrew: אֶלְיָקִים (ʾElyaqim), meaning "My God raises up" or "God sets up." He is the first and most senior official listed, indicating his leadership of the delegation. His name would have been a poignant reminder of divine involvement, especially in light of the prophetic context in Isa 22 concerning his ascent.

• Hilkiah's son: This specifies his lineage, providing identity and perhaps an established, respectable family background.

• which was over the household: Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר עַל-הַבָּיִת (ʾasher ʿal-haBayit). This title signifies the prime minister or chief steward, effectively the most powerful official in the royal court, managing the king's household and the kingdom's domestic affairs. It denotes supreme administrative authority under the king, often handling state secrets and diplomatic communications. This position held "the key of the house of David" (Isa 22:22).

• and Shebna: Hebrew: שֶׁבְנָא (Shevna). His name potentially means "vigor" or "tender youth," though its etymology is debated. His inclusion is significant, as Isaiah had previously prophesied his downfall and replacement by Eliakim (Isa 22:15-25). Here, he is still an official but no longer "over the household," perhaps in a demoted yet still important role.

• the scribe: Hebrew: הַסֹּפֵר (haSopher). This official served as a royal secretary, chancellor, or recorder of royal decrees. This role involved reading and writing official documents, and often acting as an advisor on foreign policy. The scribe handled the intellectual and legal aspects of state affairs.

• and Joah: Hebrew: יוֹאָח (Yoʾaḥ), meaning "the LORD is his brother." Another prominent official, listed third.

• Asaph's son: His familial identification. The name Asaph is well-known from the Levites and temple musicians, suggesting a reputable, possibly priestly or influential, family lineage.

• the recorder: Hebrew: הַמַּזְכִּיר (haMazkir). This position typically involved keeping official annals and records, as well as serving as a royal chronicler or "remembrancer," advising the king by recalling historical precedents, and often engaging in foreign relations.

• Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah: This group represents the three highest-ranking, non-military officials of Judah. Their collective presence signifies the unified, official response of Hezekiah's government to the Assyrian challenge. This delegation embodies both the political wisdom and the human vulnerability of the kingdom.

• Their collective offices (Household, Scribe, Recorder): These positions represent the administrative, diplomatic, and advisory pillars of Judah's government. Eliakim (Prime Minister) for domestic authority, Shebna (Scribe) for communications and foreign affairs, and Joah (Recorder) for counsel and records. Together, they demonstrate Hezekiah's attempt to use all available civil and diplomatic means to address the crisis, prior to seeking ultimate divine intervention.

Isaiah 36 3 Bonus section

The reappearance of Shebna in this context is particularly noteworthy in light of Isaiah's strong prophecy against him in chapter 22. Initially, Shebna held the exalted position of "over the household." Isaiah condemned his pride, his extravagant tomb-building, and prophesied his demotion and replacement by Eliakim. In Isa 36:3, Eliakim is now "over the household," and Shebna is "the scribe." This indicates that while the prophecy of Shebna's removal from the chief position has been fulfilled, he still retains an important, albeit secondary, office. This nuanced detail serves as a quiet testimony to the unfolding of divine judgment and appointment, affirming Isaiah's prophetic word while illustrating the practical complexities of political transitions in Judah. This also signifies that the LORD does not always immediately execute final judgment but may allow individuals to continue in a reduced capacity, giving them time for reflection.

Isaiah 36 3 Commentary

Isaiah 36:3 is a foundational verse that establishes the key human players on Judah's side in the face of Assyrian aggression. The listing of Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah, in that specific order, is not merely administrative detail but carries profound symbolic and prophetic weight within Isaiah's larger narrative. Eliakim's leadership, having superseded Shebna as "over the household" according to Isaiah's earlier prophecy (Isa 22:15-25), subtly highlights God's ongoing work even in the midst of national crisis, shaping leadership and fulfilling divine word. Shebna's presence, though seemingly in a lesser capacity, reminds the original audience of a past example of pride being humbled.

The delegation's composition — the prime minister, the royal secretary, and the recorder — indicates a serious, high-level diplomatic response from King Hezekiah. They represent the apex of Judah's political and administrative wisdom, but this human wisdom and political acumen will prove insufficient against the overwhelming might and arrogance of Assyria. The verse therefore functions as a critical bridge, setting the scene for Rabshakeh's taunts against Judah's trust in human alliances and ultimately, their God, thereby escalating the conflict to a spiritual confrontation where divine intervention becomes the only viable path to deliverance.

• Example for practical usage: When facing a seemingly insurmountable challenge, we often first deploy our best human resources and strategies. This verse illustrates that even the most capable human effort (represented by these top officials) can fall short when confronted with overwhelming odds, redirecting our focus towards where true strength and ultimate victory lie – in the Lord.