King James Version

What Does Isaiah 36:3 Mean?

Isaiah 36:3 in the King James Version says “Then came forth unto him Eliakim, Hilkiah's son, which was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, Asaph's son,... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. scribe: or, secretary

Isaiah 36:3 · KJV


Context

1

Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them.

2

And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field.

3

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. scribe: or, secretary

4

And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?

5

I say, sayest thou, (but they are but vain words) I have counsel and strength for war: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me? vain: Heb. a word of lips I have: or, but counsel and strength are for the war


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah were Hezekiah's senior officials who went to negotiate with Rabshakeh. Their titles indicate governmental organization: Eliakim "over the household" (palace administrator), Shebna "the scribe" (secretary of state), and Joah "the recorder" (official historian). This diplomatic delegation shows proper protocol but also Hezekiah's wise refusal to personally engage with blasphemous threats. The confrontation between God's servants and pagan representatives sets up a spiritual conflict beyond mere politics.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

These were real historical figures. Archaeological evidence confirms Shebna's existence through tomb inscriptions. The precision of names demonstrates Isaiah's historical reliability.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should believers engage with hostile secular authorities?
  2. What does sending representatives rather than appearing personally teach about wisdom in conflict?
  3. How do we maintain faith while engaging necessary diplomacy with opponents?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַיֵּצֵ֥א1 of 14

Then came forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֵלָ֛יו2 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶלְיָקִ֥ים3 of 14

unto him Eliakim

H471

eljakim, the name of four israelites

בֶּן4 of 14

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

חִלְקִיָּ֖הוּ5 of 14

Hilkiah's

H2518

chilhijah, the name of eight israelites

אֲשֶׁ֣ר6 of 14
H834

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

עַל7 of 14
H5921

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

הַבָּ֑יִת8 of 14

which was over the house

H1004

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

וְשֶׁבְנָא֙9 of 14

and Shebna

H7644

shebna or shebnah, an israelite

הַסֹּפֵ֔ר10 of 14

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

וְיוֹאָ֥ח11 of 14

and Joah

H3098

joach, the name of four israelites

בֶּן12 of 14

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

אָסָ֖ף13 of 14

Asaph's

H623

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

הַמַּזְכִּֽיר׃14 of 14

the recorder

H2142

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


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 36:3 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 36:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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