Man living at the time of Divided Monarchy
Hilkiah served as a high-ranking official in the court of King Hezekiah of Judah.
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Hilkiah is mentioned in 2Kings 18 and Isaiah 22 and 36 as a high-ranking official in the court of King Hezekiah of Judah. He held the position of "master of the household" (2Ki.18.18, Isa.36.3), which was a significant role in the royal administration, overseeing the palace and its affairs.
During the Assyrian invasion led by Sennacherib, Hilkiah, along with Shebna the scribe and Joah the recorder, was sent by Hezekiah to meet with the Assyrian officials (2Ki.18.18, Isa.36.3). The Assyrian representative, the Rabshakeh, delivered a threatening message to Hezekiah, urging him to surrender. Hilkiah and his companions reported the message to the king, who then sought the counsel of the prophet Isaiah (2Ki.18.37, Isa.36.22).
In Isa.22.20-25, a prophecy is given concerning Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who would replace Shebna as the steward of the royal household. This prophecy emphasizes the importance of the role and the trust placed in the person holding this position.
Hilkiah's involvement in these key events during Hezekiah's reign highlights his importance as a trusted advisor and official in the king's court.
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6 verses in 2 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H2518
Then they called for the king. And Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebnah the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to them.
Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, along with Shebnah and Joah, said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak with us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.”
Then Hilkiahʼs son Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Asaphʼs son Joah the recorder came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and they relayed to him the words of the Rabshakeh.
On that day I will summon My servant, Eliakim son of Hilkiah.
Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to him.
Then Hilkiahʼs son Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Asaphʼs son Joah the recorder came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and they relayed to him the words of the Rabshakeh.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.