Isaiah 22:15-25

Note: the tomb that Shebna was building was probably the one discovered in Silwan and the lintel is in the British Museum. His position as “over the house” was to be given to Eliakim, a type of Messiah. The final section v25 is a challenge. Is it about Shebna or Eliakim. Opinions vary. A chiastic structure suggests it is referring to Shebna who is replaced by Eliakim.

A. Shebna who is – “over the house” – is preparing a grand sepulchre
22:15 Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts,
Go, get thee unto this treasurer,
even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say,
16 What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here,
that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here,
as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high,
and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?

B. Shebna’s death predicted – he will be cast out of the country
17 Behold, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee.
18 He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy lord’s house.
19 And I will drive thee from thy station,
and from thy state shall he pull thee down.

B’. Eliakim will take over from Shebna
20 And it shall come to pass in that day,
that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:
21 And I will clothe him with thy robe,
and strengthen him with thy girdle,
and I will commit thy government into his hand:
and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
and to the house of Judah.
22 And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder;
so he shall open, and none shall shut;
and he shall shut, and none shall open.
23 And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place;
and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.
24 And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house,
the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity,
from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.

A’. Shebna’s removal predicted?
25 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts,
shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place
be removed, and be cut down, and fall;
and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off:
for the LORD hath spoken it.

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