King James Version

What Does Isaiah 22:15 Mean?

Isaiah 22:15 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say,” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Context

13

And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.

14

And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

15

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

16

What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock? as: or, O he

17

Behold, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee. will carry: or, the Lord who covered thee with an excellent covering, and clothed thee gorgeously, v.18.shall surely, etc a mighty: Heb. the captivity of a man

Read Isaiah 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house—God directly confronts Shebna (שֶׁבְנָא), whose name may be shortened from Shebaniah, meaning 'Yah has grown.' He held the office of al-habayit (עַל־הַבָּיִת, 'over the house'), the royal steward or palace administrator—second only to the king in authority (cf. 1 Kings 4:6). The title sōkēn (סֹכֵן, 'treasurer') indicates his control of royal finances.

This oracle is remarkable because it's one of Scripture's few prophecies naming a specific individual for judgment besides the king. Shebna's self-aggrandizement and foreign policy sympathies (likely pro-Egyptian) contradicted Hezekiah's reforms and Isaiah's counsel to trust Yahweh alone. The phrase Lord GOD of hosts (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה צְבָאוֹת) emphasizes God's sovereign authority over all powers—earthly officials serve at His pleasure, not their own.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Shebna served as royal steward during Hezekiah's reign (715-686 BC), during the critical period of Assyrian expansion. His position 'over the house' made him Hezekiah's chief administrator, controlling access to the king and managing royal affairs. Archaeological evidence shows this office existed in surrounding nations (Egyptian, Assyrian parallels). Shebna later appears as 'the scribe' in Isaiah 36-37 (demoted), while Eliakim takes his position. This suggests the prophecy's fulfillment before Sennacherib's siege (701 BC). Shebna likely represented a pro-Egyptian faction advocating foreign alliances rather than trusting Yahweh, directly opposing Isaiah's message.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's confrontation of a royal official (not the king) teach about accountability at every level of leadership?
  2. How did Shebna's position 'over the house' parallel—and fail to live up to—the stewardship responsibility God demands?
  3. Why does Scripture preserve this oracle against a secondary figure rather than focusing only on kings and nations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
כֹּ֥ה1 of 15
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֛ר2 of 15

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֥י3 of 15

“the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֖ה4 of 15

“GOD”

H3069

god

צְבָא֑וֹת5 of 15

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

לֶךְ6 of 15
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בֹּא֙7 of 15

“get”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל8 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַסֹּכֵ֣ן9 of 15

“thee unto this treasurer”

H5532

to be familiar with; by implication, to minister to, be serviceable to, to cherish, be customary

הַזֶּ֔ה10 of 15
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

עַל11 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שֶׁבְנָ֖א12 of 15

“even unto Shebna”

H7644

shebna or shebnah, an israelite

אֲשֶׁ֥ר13 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עַל14 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַבָּֽיִת׃15 of 15

“which is over the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 22:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 22:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 36:32 Kings 18:18Isaiah 37:22 Kings 19:22 Kings 18:37Isaiah 36:11

Test Your Knowledge

Isaiah 22 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterIsaiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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