Shebna

Biblical Record

Shebna was an official in the southern kingdom of Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah. The biblical record concerning him falls into two main parts.

Isaiah's rebuke. In Isaiah 22:15–25, God sends the prophet "unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house." The phrase "over the house" refers to a high office with oversight of the royal household. Isaiah rebukes Shebna for hewing out a sepulchre for himself on high (Isaiah 22:16). He then declares that God will "toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die" (22:17–18). Isaiah prophesies that Shebna's office and authority will pass to Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and that "the key of the house of David" will be laid upon Eliakim's shoulder (22:20–22).

The delegation during the Assyrian crisis. When Rabshakeh, sent by Sennacherib king of Assyria, threatened Jerusalem, Shebna went out of the city to meet him together with Eliakim, who was over the household, and Joah the recorder (2 Kings 18:18; Isaiah 36:3). Here Shebna's title is "scribe." The delegation asked Rabshakeh to speak in Aramaic rather than in the language of Judah so that the people on the wall would not understand (2 Kings 18:26). After the negotiations, the three men tore their clothes and reported Rabshakeh's words to Hezekiah (18:37). Shebna was then sent, clothed in sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah (2 Kings 19:2; Isaiah 37:2). These events are generally dated to around 701 BC.

Significance Within Scripture

Isaiah 22 contrasts Shebna, an example of a proud official seeking to perpetuate his own name, with Eliakim, a faithful official who would be "a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem." Shebna himself does not appear in the New Testament. However, the expression "the key of David" given to Eliakim is used again in Revelation 3:7 in reference to Christ.

Interpretations and Issues

• Identity: Many interpreters regard Shebna "which is over the house" in Isaiah 22 and Shebna "the scribe" in 2 Kings and Isaiah 36–37 as the same person. On this reading, Eliakim's appointment as steward of the household represents a partial fulfillment of the prophecy, and Shebna's role as scribe reflects his demotion. Others hold that they were two different men bearing the same name.
• Origin: Because Scripture does not record the name of Shebna's father, some have conjectured that he was of foreign origin. The text itself does not state this.
• Archaeology: Some scholars connect a tomb inscription found in the village of Silwan, east of Jerusalem, reading "…yahu, who is over the house," with Shebna (Shebnayahu). This identification is not settled.
• Later tradition: Some Jewish rabbinic literature preserves a story that Shebna sought to surrender to Assyria. This account is not found in the biblical text.

In the Korean Church

Shebna is discussed mainly in sermons on Isaiah 22, where he is presented as a foil to Eliakim. Such sermons typically contrast a leader who seeks his own glory with a steward who faithfully fulfills the office entrusted to him by God.