Man living at the time of Divided Monarchy
Shebna was a high-ranking official in King Hezekiah's court, serving as the steward of the palace, but was later demoted and replaced by Eliakim.
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Also known as Shebnah
Shebna, mentioned in 2Kings 18-19 and Isaiah 22 and 36-37, was a high-ranking official in the court of King Hezekiah of Judah. He held the position of steward of the palace, which was a significant role in the royal administration. As the steward, Shebna was responsible for managing the king's household and overseeing the palace's affairs. However, the prophet Isaiah criticized Shebna for his pride and presumption, prophesying that he would be removed from his position and replaced by Eliakim (Isa.22.15-25). Later, during the Assyrian invasion of Judah, Shebna, along with Eliakim and Joah, was sent by King Hezekiah to negotiate with the Assyrian officials (2Ki.18.18, 26, 37; 19.2; Isa.36.3, 11, 22; 37.2). In these passages, Shebna is mentioned alongside Eliakim, who had replaced him as the steward of the palace, indicating that Shebna had been demoted to a lower position, possibly that of a scribe. The narrative highlights the importance of humility and faithfulness in serving God and the consequences of pride and self-exaltation.
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Tender youth, “treasurer” over the house in the reign of Hezekiah, i.e., comptroller or governor of the palace. On account of his pride he was ejected from his office, and Eliakim was promoted to it (Isa. 22:15-25). He appears to have been the leader of the party who favoured an alliance with Egypt against Assyria. It is conjectured that “Shebna the scribe,” who was one of those whom the king sent to confer with the Assyrian ambassador (2 Kings 18:18, 26, 37; 19:2; Isa. 36:3, 11, 22; 37:2), was a different person.
(vigor), a person of high position in Hezekiah’s court, holding at one time the office of prefect of the palace, (Isaiah 22:15) but subsequently the subordinate office of secretary. (Isaiah 36:3; 2 Kings 19:2) (B.C. 713.)
who rests himself; who is now captive
SHEB'NA (youth). The "treasurer," or prefect of the palace of Hezekiah, Isa 22:15-25, a man of great pride, but whose ignominious fall is prophesied by the prophet. The scribe or secretary of Hezekiah; a different person from the preceding, though with the same name. Isa 36:3; 2 Kgs 18:18 2 Kgs 18:37; 2 Kgs 19:2. He was one of the ambassadors sent to Rabshakeh.
SHEB'NA (youth). The "treasurer," or prefect of the palace of Hezekiah, Isa 22:15-25, a man of great pride, but whose ignominious fall is prophesied by the prophet. The scribe or secretary of Hezekiah; a different person from the preceding, though with the same name. Isa 36:3; 2 Kgs 18:18 2 Kgs 18:37; 2 Kgs 19:2. He was one of the ambassadors sent to Rabshakeh.
Easton (1897), Smith (1863), Hitchcock (1869), Hastings (1898) and Schaff are in the public domain. Parsed text: neuu-org/bible-dictionary-dataset (CC BY 4.0). Headwords and whitespace normalised for this site.
9 verses in 2 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H7644
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.
And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz
This is what the Lord GOD of Hosts says: “Go, say to Shebna, the steward in charge of the palace:
Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to him.
Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak to 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.
And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz
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.