Lexical Summary Shebna or Shebnah: Shebna, Shebnah Original Word: שֶׁבְנָא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shebna, Shebnah : or Shebnah {sheb-naw'}; from an unused root meaning to grow; growth; Shebna or Shebnah, an Israelite -- Shebna, Shebnah. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition secretary and majordomo of Hezekiah NASB Translation Shebna (7), Shebnah (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs שֶׁבְנָא, שֶׁבְנָה proper name, masculine secretary and major-domo of Hezekiah; נָא- Isaiah 22:15; Isaiah 36:22; Isaiah 37:2 = 2 Kings 18:37; 2 Kings 19:2; Isaiah 36:3,11 = נָה- 2 Kings 18:18,26. — Σομνας. Topical Lexicon Identity in Scripture Shebna appears in the narratives that surround King Hezekiah’s reign and the Assyrian crisis (circa 701 B.C.). All nine occurrences cluster in 2 Kings 18–19 and the parallel passages of Isaiah 36–37, with an additional prophetic oracle in Isaiah 22. Two offices are connected to his name: “over the palace” (chief steward; Isaiah 22:15, Isaiah 36:3) and “scribe” (court secretary; 2 Kings 18:18, 2 Kings 19:2). Whether the texts speak of two different men or of one man who was later demoted, the combined data present a single, cohesive portrait of a high-ranking Judahite official whose ambition came under divine judgment. Historical Setting and Political Role During the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah. When the Rabshakeh arrived at Jerusalem’s wall to demand surrender, “Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, came out to him” (2 Kings 18:18). In the ensuing dialogue Shebna stood as a member of the three-man delegation that represented the king before the Assyrian envoy. His presence signals influence in royal policy at a moment when international alliances (particularly an ill-advised reliance on Egypt; cf. Isaiah 30:1–5) were under debate. Reproof by Isaiah Isaiah 22:15–19 records a specific prophetic denunciation of Shebna’s pride and self-promotion: “This is what the Lord GOD of Hosts says: ‘Go, say to this steward, to Shebna who is in charge of the palace: What are you doing here, and who authorized you to carve out a tomb for yourself here, hewing your resting place on high, chiseling your crypt in the rock?’” (Isaiah 22:15–16). The prophet condemns him for: Isaiah foretells Shebna’s downfall: “I will depose you from your office, and you will be ousted from your position” (Isaiah 22:19). The prophetic word is fulfilled as Eliakim replaces him as palace administrator, while Shebna retains only the lesser post of scribe in the later narrative (compare Isaiah 36:3 with 2 Kings 18:18). Contrast with Eliakim Isaiah sets Shebna and Eliakim in deliberate contrast (Isaiah 22:20–25). Eliakim is called “a father to the dwellers of Jerusalem,” receives “the key of the house of David,” and prefigures faithful stewardship. Shebna, by contrast, is exposed as self-seeking and is said to be “hurled into a vast country” (Isaiah 22:18). Theologically, the passage underscores the principle that God exalts the humble and casts down the proud (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6). Archaeological Note A late eighth-century B.C. lintel discovered in Silwan bears the inscription “(belonging) to Shebnayahu, servant of the king.” While absolute identification is debated, the artifact matches the biblical timeframe, royal service, and tomb-building activity described by Isaiah, lending historical plausibility to the narrative. Spiritual and Ministerial Lessons 1. Stewardship is a trust, not a platform for self-glory. Positions in God’s economy belong to Him, and He alone promotes or demotes (Psalm 75:6–7). Summary Shebna stands as a cautionary figure: a high official of Judah who squandered privilege through arrogance, receiving public censure from Isaiah and eventual reduction in status. His story, woven through both historical narrative and prophetic oracle, calls believers to humble fidelity, righteous governance, and unwavering dependence on the Sovereign LORD. Forms and Transliterations וְשֶׁבְנָ֣א וְשֶׁבְנָ֨א וְשֶׁבְנָ֨ה וְשֶׁבְנָא֙ וְשֶׁבְנָה֙ ושבנא ושבנה שֶׁבְנָ֖א שֶׁבְנָ֣א שבנא šeḇ·nā šeḇnā shevNa veshevNa veshevNah wə·šeḇ·nā wə·šeḇ·nāh wəšeḇnā wəšeḇnāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 18:18 HEB: עַל־ הַבָּ֑יִת וְשֶׁבְנָה֙ הַסֹּפֵ֔ר וְיוֹאָ֥ח NAS: the household, and Shebnah the scribe KJV: which [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, INT: was over the household and Shebnah the scribe and Joah 2 Kings 18:26 2 Kings 18:37 2 Kings 19:2 Isaiah 22:15 Isaiah 36:3 Isaiah 36:11 Isaiah 36:22 Isaiah 37:2 9 Occurrences |
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