Isaiah 22:15

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 22:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Thus saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, who is over the house, [and say],” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Thus saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, who is over the house, [and say],
Isaiah 22:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15Thus saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, who is over the house, [and say],

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thus saith the Lord God of hosts, Go, &c.] These words are spoken to the prophet, bidding him go to Shebna’s house; so the Arabic version, “go to the house”; or however, by some means or other, let him know that he should be displaced, and turned out of his office, and another put in his room: get thee unto this treasurer; or governor, as the Targum; treasurer in the house of King Hezekiah, as Kimchi: the word has the signification of profit; and Jarchi, from the Talmudf432, calls him master of the profits; that is, of the profits and revenues belonging to the king; though, perhaps, he sought more his own profit and advantage than the king’s: it has also the signification of danger, and so…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“PROPHECY THAT SHEBNA SHOULD BE DEPOSED FROM BEING PREFECT OF THE PALACE, AND ELIAKIM PROMOTED TO THE OFFICE. (Isa 22:15-25) Go, get thee unto--rather, "Go in to" (that is, into the house to). treasurer--"him who dwells in the tabernacle" [JEROME]; namely, in a room of the temple set apart for the treasurer. Rather, "the king's friend," or "principal officer of the court" (Kg1 4:5; Kg1 18:3; Ch1 27:33, "the king's counsellor") [MAURER]. "This" is prefixed contemptuously (Exo 32:1). unto Shebna--The Hebrew for "unto" indicates an accosting of Shebna with an unwelcome message.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Analysis of Isaiah 22:15-25. - Vision 20. The remainder of this chapter Isaiah 22:15-25 is occupied with a prediction respecting Shebna, and the promotion of Eliakim in his place. From the prophecy itself it appears that Shebna was prefect of the palace Isaiah 22:15, or that he was in the highest authority in the time of Hezekiah. That he was an unprincipled ruler is evident from the prophecy, and hence, Isaiah was directed to predict his fall, and the elevation of another in his place. Whether this Shebna is the same that is mentioned in Isaiah 36:3, is not known. The Shebna there mentioned is called a “scribe” Isaiah 22:22, and that was “after” the fall of Shebna mentioned here, for it…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“22:15-25 Shebna and Eliakim were two royal officials in King Hezekiah’s court (see 2 Kgs 18:18; 19:2). Apparently assuming that death at the hands of the Assyrians was inevitable, Shebna planned for an ostentatious burial place (Isa 22:16). Although the rebuke of Shebna preceded Assyria’s siege of Jerusalem in 701 BC (see 22:19-21; 36:3), it connects well with the admonitions of 22:1-13 regarding the ensuing Babylonian siege. 22:15 The actions of Shebna represent among the populace a lack of confidence in God’s ability to rescue Jerusalem from the Assyrian attack. • A palace administrator held the highest possible position in the royal court (see 22:21-22).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“treasurer: Ch1 27:25; Act 8:27 Shebna: Isa 36:3, Isa 37:2; Kg2 18:18, Kg2 18:37, Kg2 19:2 which: Kg1 4:6; Kg2 10:5 Isaiah 22:16”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“"Thus spake the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, Go, get thee to that steward there, to Shebna the house-mayor. What has thou here, and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewn thyself out a sepulchre here, hewing out his sepulchre high up, digging himself a dwelling in rocks? Behold, Jehovah hurleth thee, hurling with a man's throw, and graspeth thee grasping. Coiling, He coileth thee a coil, a ball into a land far and wide; there shalt thou die, and thither the chariots of thy glory, thou shame of the house of thy lord! And I thrust thee from thy post, and from thy standing-place he pulleth thee down." לך־בּ, go, take thyself in - not into the house, however, but into the present halting-place. It…”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification