King James Version

What Does Isaiah 22:18 Mean?

Isaiah 22:18 in the King James Version says “He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chario...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy lord's house. large: Heb. large of spaces”

Isaiah 22:18 · KJV

Context

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

18

He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy lord's house. large: Heb. large of spaces

19

And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state shall he pull thee down.

20

And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:

Read Isaiah 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country—The imagery intensifies: ṣānōp̄ yiṣnop̄kā ṣənēp̄â (צָנוֹף יִצְנָפְךָ צְנֵפָה) uses wordplay meaning 'wrap up, whirl around, toss violently'—like winding up a ball and hurling it far away. The large country (אֶרֶץ רַחֲבַת יָדָיִם, ʾereṣ raḥăḇaṯ yāḏayim, literally 'land broad of hands/borders') suggests either Assyria or Babylon, vast empires where Shebna would die in anonymity.

There shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy lord's house—Shebna's prized chariots (מַרְכְּבוֹת כְּבוֹדֶךָ, markəḇōṯ kəḇōḏeḵā, 'chariots of your glory'), symbols of his wealth and power, would become his shame (קְלוֹן, qəlōn). His downfall would disgrace not just himself but 'his lord's house' (בֵּית אֲדֹנֶיךָ, bêṯ ʾăḏōneḵā)—King Hezekiah's administration. Bad stewardship brings reproach on the master.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Chariots were the ancient world's status symbols, expensive military equipment affordable only by the elite (cf. 1 Kings 10:26-29 on Solomon's chariots). For a non-military official like Shebna to possess chariots of glory indicates ostentatious wealth and possibly military ambitions beyond his station. His downfall would validate Isaiah's consistent message: trust in Yahweh, not in horses and chariots (Isaiah 31:1). The irony compounds: the man with no family tomb in Jerusalem (v.16) possessed prideful chariots that would become symbols of shame. His death in a foreign land meant no proper burial—the very thing his elaborate tomb was meant to prevent.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do Shebna's 'chariots of glory' becoming shameful illustrate Jesus's teaching that the first shall be last and the last first?
  2. What does the phrase 'shame of thy lord's house' teach about how leaders' failures affect those they represent?
  3. Why does God emphasize that Shebna will die far from his prepared tomb, and what does this teach about human planning without divine approval?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
יִצְנָפְךָ֙1 of 16

“He will surely”

H6801

to wrap, i.e., roll or dress

יִצְנָפְךָ֙2 of 16

“He will surely”

H6801

to wrap, i.e., roll or dress

צְנֵפָ֔ה3 of 16

“and toss”

H6802

a ball

כַּדּ֕וּר4 of 16

“thee like a ball”

H1754

a circle, ball or pile

אֶל5 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֖רֶץ6 of 16

“country”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

רַחֲבַ֣ת7 of 16

“into a large”

H7342

roomy, in any (or every) direction, literally or figuratively

יָדָ֑יִם8 of 16
H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

שָׁ֣מָּה9 of 16
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

תָמ֗וּת10 of 16

“there shalt thou die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וְשָׁ֙מָּה֙11 of 16
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

מַרְכְּב֣וֹת12 of 16

“and there the chariots”

H4818

a chariot

כְּבוֹדֶ֔ךָ13 of 16

“of thy glory”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

קְל֖וֹן14 of 16

“shall be the shame”

H7036

disgrace; (by implication) the pudenda

בֵּ֥ית15 of 16

“house”

H1004

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

אֲדֹנֶֽיךָ׃16 of 16

“of thy lord's”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

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 22:18 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 22:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 17:13Amos 7:17

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