King James Version

What Does Isaiah 22:20 Mean?

Isaiah 22:20 in the King James Version says “And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Isaiah 22:20 · KJV

Context

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:

21

And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.

22

And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

Read Isaiah 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah—The shift from judgment to hope is dramatic. Eliakim (אֶלְיָקִים, ʾelyāqîm) means 'God raises up' or 'God establishes'—a name signifying divine appointment, contrasting with Shebna's self-promotion. The designation my servant (עַבְדִּי, ʿaḇdî) is God's highest honor, used for Abraham, Moses, David, and ultimately the Messiah (Isaiah 42-53). God doesn't call Shebna 'my servant'—only Eliakim receives this title.

His father Hilkiah (חִלְקִיָּהוּ, ḥilqîyāhû, 'Yahweh is my portion') was possibly the high priest who later discovered the Book of the Law under Josiah (2 Kings 22:8), though chronology makes this uncertain. Either way, Eliakim came from a family known for faithfulness to Yahweh, contrasting with Shebna's apparent foreign origin and self-serving ambition. The phrase in that day (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, bayyôm hahûʾ) points to God's appointed timing—He removes and appoints according to His sovereign schedule.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Eliakim's appointment 'over the house' is confirmed in 2 Kings 18:18,37 and Isaiah 36:3,22, where he serves as Hezekiah's chief official during Sennacherib's siege. Unlike Shebna, who likely advocated Egyptian alliance, Eliakim worked with Isaiah's theological perspective, trusting Yahweh's deliverance rather than foreign treaties. His leadership during the 701 BC crisis, when God miraculously destroyed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers (Isaiah 37:36), vindicated his appointment. This demonstrates God's sovereignty in placing leaders who will implement His purposes at crucial moments in history. The contrast between Shebna (removed for self-serving ambition) and Eliakim (called as God's servant) established the biblical leadership principle: faithful service, not personal glory.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Eliakim's name ('God raises up') teach about the source of legitimate authority versus self-promoted position?
  2. How does the title 'my servant' given to Eliakim (but not Shebna) reveal God's criteria for leadership approval?
  3. In what ways did Eliakim's appointment 'in that day' prove providential for Judah's deliverance from Assyria?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וְהָיָ֖ה1 of 8
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בַּיּ֣וֹם2 of 8

“And it shall come to pass in that day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֑וּא3 of 8
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְקָרָ֣אתִי4 of 8

“that I will call”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לְעַבְדִּ֔י5 of 8

“my servant”

H5650

a servant

לְאֶלְיָקִ֖ים6 of 8

“Eliakim”

H471

eljakim, the name of four israelites

בֶּן7 of 8

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חִלְקִיָּֽהוּ׃8 of 8

“of Hilkiah”

H2518

chilhijah, the name of eight israelites

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 22:20 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 22:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 18:18Isaiah 36:3Isaiah 37:22 Kings 18:37Isaiah 36:22Isaiah 36:11

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