Isaiah 22:23
I will drive him like a peg into a firm place, and he will be a throne of glory for the house of his father.
I will drive him like a peg into a firm place,

The LORD would establish Eliakim securely in the office removed from Shebna. Like a tent peg fixed in solid ground, Eliakim would provide stability for the royal house through faithful service under Hezekiah. His appointment rested on God’s sovereign purpose rather than personal ambition. Yet no earthly servant can bear ultimate weight; the secure foundation toward which this image points is Christ, the chosen cornerstone upon whom God’s people are established.

Ezr 9:8 But now, for a brief moment, grace has come…
Zec 10:4 The cornerstone will come from Judah, the tent peg from him…
Ecc 12:11 The words of the wise are like goads…

and he will be a throne of glory

Eliakim’s authority would bring honor to his father’s house and benefit to Judah. As royal steward, he would represent the king’s administration with dignity and responsibility. The glory of such office anticipates the greater reign of Christ, who possesses all authority and sits in everlasting majesty at the Father’s right hand.

Jer 17:12 A glorious throne, exalted from the beginning,…
Jer 14:21 For the sake of Your name do not despise us;…
Psa 45:6 Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever,…

for the house of his father.

Eliakim’s elevation would bring strength and honor to his family line, in sharp contrast to Shebna’s coming disgrace. God’s dealings with Eliakim display His faithfulness in raising up servants who will carry out His purposes. The promise also reflects the larger hope fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Son of David, whose kingdom brings lasting blessing to all who belong to Him.

1Sa 22:15 Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him?…
Gen 24:38 but you shall go to my father’s house…
Jos 2:12 Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Isaiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book that bears his name. He prophesied during the reigns of several kings of Judah and is known for his messages of both judgment and hope.

2. Shebna
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Shebna is the steward being replaced in the broader context of Isaiah 22. He represents unfaithful leadership.

3. Eliakim
The individual being referred to in this verse, Eliakim is appointed as a faithful steward, symbolizing a trustworthy leader who will bring honor to his family.

4. Jerusalem
The city where these events are taking place, representing the center of Judah's political and spiritual life.

5. The House of David
The royal lineage to which Eliakim is connected, symbolizing the continuity of God's covenant promises.
Teaching Points
Faithful Leadership
Eliakim's appointment as a peg in a firm place symbolizes the importance of faithful and reliable leadership. In our lives, we are called to be trustworthy stewards of the responsibilities God has given us.

God's Sovereignty
The imagery of God driving Eliakim like a peg reminds us of God's control and authority over leadership and events. We can trust in His plans and purposes, even when they involve change.

Legacy and Honor
Eliakim's role as a throne of glory for his father's house teaches us about the impact of our actions on our family's legacy. We should strive to bring honor to our families and communities through our conduct.

Messianic Foreshadowing
Eliakim's role points forward to Christ, the ultimate faithful steward and leader. As Christians, we are called to emulate Christ's example in our leadership and service.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of a "peg in a firm place" in Isaiah 22:23 relate to the concept of stability and security in your own life?

2. In what ways can you demonstrate faithful stewardship in your current roles and responsibilities, similar to Eliakim's example?

3. How does the transition from Shebna to Eliakim illustrate the consequences of unfaithful leadership and the rewards of faithful service?

4. How can understanding God's sovereignty, as demonstrated in Isaiah 22:23, help you trust Him more in times of change or uncertainty?

5. How does the role of Eliakim as a "throne of glory" for his father's house inspire you to consider the legacy you are building for future generations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Revelation 3:7
This verse refers to Jesus holding the key of David, echoing the authority given to Eliakim. It highlights the messianic fulfillment of the promise of a faithful steward.

Zechariah 10:4
This verse speaks of a cornerstone, tent peg, and battle bow, symbolizing leadership and strength, similar to the imagery of a peg in Isaiah 22:23.

1 Peter 2:6
This verse refers to Christ as the cornerstone, connecting the idea of a firm foundation to the role of Eliakim as a secure peg.
A Nail in a Sure PlaceHomilistIsaiah 22:23
Nails in Eastern HousesJ. N. Norton.Isaiah 22:23
The Fastening Hold of ChristHomilistIsaiah 22:23
The Nail in a Sure PlaceJ. N. Norton.Isaiah 22:23
The Sure Nail as a TypeR. Tuck Isaiah 22:23
Human Reckoning and Divine InterruptionW. Clarkson Isaiah 22:15-25
Authority and InfluenceW. Clarkson Isaiah 22:20-25
Eliakim and ChristB. Blake, B. D.Isaiah 22:20-25
Eliakim: the Nail and the ThroneF. Delitzsch.Isaiah 22:20-25
Installment of EliakimE. Johnson Isaiah 22:20-25
My Servant EliakimJ. Parker, D. D.Isaiah 22:20-25
Renown, Nominal and MoralJ. Parker, D. D.Isaiah 22:20-25
The Kingdom and Government of the Glorious Messiah Typified by Eliakim's Preferment and PromotionE. Erskine.Isaiah 22:20-25
The Power of the KeysF. Delitzsch.Isaiah 22:20-25
People
Aram, David, Elam, Eliakim, Hilkiah, Isaiah, Shebna
Places
Elam, House of the Forest, Jerusalem, Kedar, Kir
Topics
Drive, Family, Fasten, Father's, Firm, Fixed, Glorious, Glory, Honor, Honour, Nail, Peg, Safe, Seat, Stedfast, Sure, Throne
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Isaiah 22:23

     5581   throne

Library
Prevailing Prayer.
Text.--The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.--James v. 16. THE last lecture referred principally to the confession of sin. To-night my remarks will be chiefly confined to the subject of intercession, or prayer. There are two kinds of means requisite to promote a revival; one to influence men, the other to influence God. The truth is employed to influence men, and prayer to move God. When I speak of moving God, I do not mean that God's mind is changed by prayer, or that his
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

Sundry Sharp Reproofs
This doctrine draws up a charge against several sorts: 1 Those that think themselves good Christians, yet have not learned this art of holy mourning. Luther calls mourning a rare herb'. Men have tears to shed for other things, but have none to spare for their sins. There are many murmurers, but few mourners. Most are like the stony ground which lacked moisture' (Luke 8:6). We have many cry out of hard times, but they are not sensible of hard hearts. Hot and dry is the worst temper of the body. Sure
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Gihon, the Same with the Fountain of Siloam.
I. In 1 Kings 1:33,38, that which is, in the Hebrew, "Bring ye Solomon to Gihon: and they brought him to Gihon"; is rendered by the Chaldee, "Bring ye him to Siloam: and they brought him to Siloam." Where Kimchi thus; "Gihon is Siloam, and it is called by a double name. And David commanded, that they should anoint Solomon at Gihon for a good omen, to wit, that, as the waters of the fountain are everlasting, so might his kingdom be." So also the Jerusalem writers; "They do not anoint the king, but
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Sennacherib (705-681 B. C. )
The struggle of Sennacherib with Judaea and Egypt--Destruction of Babylon. Sennacherib either failed to inherit his father's good fortune, or lacked his ability.* He was not deficient in military genius, nor in the energy necessary to withstand the various enemies who rose against him at widely removed points of his frontier, but he had neither the adaptability of character nor the delicate tact required to manage successfully the heterogeneous elements combined under his sway. * The two principal
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic Theology as Regards the Doctrine of Forgiveness in Contrast to the Gospel of Christ
In two things chiefly does the fundamental difference appear between Christianity and all other religious systems, notably Rabbinism. And in these two things, therefore, lies the main characteristic of Christ's work; or, taking a wider view, the fundamental idea of all religions. Subjectively, they concern sin and the sinner; or, to put it objectively, the forgiveness of sin and the welcome to the sinner. But Rabbinism, and every other system down to modern humanitarianism - if it rises so high in
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Third Withdrawal from Herod's Territory.
Subdivision B. The Great Confession Made by Peter. (Near Cæsarea Philippi, Summer, a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XVI. 13-20; ^B Mark VIII. 27-30; ^C Luke IX. 18-21. ^b 27 And Jesus went forth, and his disciples, into the villages of Cæsarea Philippi [The city of Paneas was enlarged by Herod Philip I., and named in honor of Tiberias Cæsar. It also bore the name Philippi because of the name of its builder, and to distinguish it from Cæsarea Palestinæ or Cæsarea Strotonis, a
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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