King James Version

What Does Isaiah 36:22 Mean?

Isaiah 36:22 in the King James Version says “Then came Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, that was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, t...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then came Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, that was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.”

Isaiah 36:22 · King James Version


Context

20

Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?

21

But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.

22

Then came Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, that was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.


Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
The officials returning with "their clothes rent" signifies deep distress—tearing garments was the customary expression of grief or horror at blasphemy. Despite their diplomatic composure during the meeting, they appropriately grieve at the assault on God's honor. Their report to Hezekiah sets up the king's faithful response in chapter 37. The officials' grief demonstrates that spiritual leaders should feel the weight of attacks on God's name, not becoming calloused to blasphemy.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Rent clothes appear throughout Scripture as response to catastrophe or blasphemy (Genesis 37:29; 2 Kings 18:37). This cultural practice expressed what words could not.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should we respond emotionally to attacks on God's character and name?
  2. What does appropriate grief over blasphemy look like in modern context?
  3. How do we balance emotional response to God's dishonor with confident trust in His sovereignty?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיָּבֹ֣א1 of 22

“Then came”

H935

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

אֶלְיָקִ֣ים2 of 22

“Eliakim”

H471

eljakim, the name of four israelites

בֶּן3 of 22

“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

חִלְקִיָּ֣הוּ4 of 22

“of Hilkiah”

H2518

chilhijah, the name of eight israelites

אֲשֶׁר5 of 22
H834

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

עַל6 of 22
H5921

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

הַ֠בַּיִת7 of 22

“that was over the household”

H1004

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

וְשֶׁבְנָ֨א8 of 22

“and Shebna”

H7644

shebna or shebnah, an israelite

הַסֹּפֵ֜ר9 of 22

“the scribe”

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

וְיוֹאָ֨ח10 of 22

“and Joah”

H3098

joach, the name of four israelites

בֶּן11 of 22

“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

אָסָ֧ף12 of 22

“of Asaph”

H623

asaph, the name of three israelites, and of the family of the first

הַמַּזְכִּ֛יר13 of 22

“the recorder”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

אֶל14 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ15 of 22

“to Hezekiah”

H2396

chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites

קְרוּעֵ֣י16 of 22

“rent”

H7167

to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)

בְגָדִ֑ים17 of 22

“with their clothes”

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

וַיַּגִּ֣ידוּ18 of 22

“and told”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

ל֔וֹ19 of 22
H0
אֵ֖ת20 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דִּבְרֵ֥י21 of 22

“him the words”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

רַבְשָׁקֵֽה׃22 of 22

“of Rabshakeh”

H7262

rabshakeh, a babylonian official


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 36:22 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 36:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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