King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.
Complete Jewish Bible:
They summoned the king, but those answering the call were Elyakim the son of Hilkiyahu, who was in charge of the household, Shevnah the general secretary and Yo'ach the son of Asaf the foreign minister.
Berean Standard Bible:
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.
American Standard Version:
And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And when they had called{H7121} to the king{H4428}, there came out{H3318} to them Eliakim{H471} the son{H1121} of Hilkiah{H2518}, which was over the household{H1004}, and Shebna{H7644} the scribe{H5608}, and Joah{H3098} the son{H1121} of Asaph{H623} the recorder{H2142}.
Cross-References (KJV):
2 Kings 19:2
- And he sent Eliakim, which [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.
Isaiah 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],
Isaiah 22:24
- 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.
Isaiah 36:3
- Then came forth unto him Eliakim, Hilkiah's son, which was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, Asaph's son, the recorder.
1 Kings 4:3
- Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder.
2 Samuel 20:24
- And Adoram [was] over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud [was] recorder:
Isaiah 36:22
- Then came Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, that [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with [their] clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 2 Kings 18:18
2 Kings 18:18 is a verse set within the broader historical narrative of the Assyrian siege of Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah. The verse specifically describes a moment when the Assyrian officials, sent by the Assyrian king Sennacherib, come to negotiate or demand the surrender of Jerusalem. Instead of King Hezekiah himself coming out to meet them, his senior officials come forward: Eliakim, who is in charge of the palace (the household), Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder.
The themes present in this verse include the tension of international politics and warfare, the role of royal officials in state affairs, and the practice of diplomacy in the ancient world. Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah represent the administrative elite of Judah, tasked with the responsibility of managing the king's affairs and the bureaucracy of the state. Their presence indicates the seriousness with which Hezekiah's administration takes the Assyrian threat, and it also reflects the protocol of the time, where kings often communicated through designated officials rather than direct engagement.
This verse is part of a larger account that highlights Hezekiah's efforts to protect his kingdom and maintain its sovereignty against a powerful and aggressive Assyrian empire. It also sets the stage for the subsequent interactions between Hezekiah and the Assyrian officials, which include demands for surrender, negotiations, and ultimately, an appeal to God for deliverance. The narrative of Hezekiah's reign, particularly his dealing with the Assyrian crisis, is often seen as an example of faith and trust in God amidst dire circumstances.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7121
There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרָא
Transliteration: qârâʼ
Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. - Strong's Number: H4428
There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: melek
Pronunciation: meh'-lek
Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal. - Strong's Number: H3318
There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָצָא
Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. - Strong's Number: H471
There are 655 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶלְיָקִים
Transliteration: ʼElyâqîym
Pronunciation: el-yaw-keem'
Description: from אֵל and קוּם; God of raising; Eljakim, the name of four Israelites; Eliakim. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H2518
There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חִלְקִיָּה
Transliteration: Chilqîyâh
Pronunciation: khil-kee-yaw'
Description: or חִלְקִיָּהוּ; from חֵלֶק and יָהּ; portion of Jah; Chilhijah, the name of eight Israelites; Hillkiah. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). - Strong's Number: H7644
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁבְנָא
Transliteration: Shebnâʼ
Pronunciation: sheb-naw'
Description: or שֶׁבְנָה; from an unused root meaning to grow; growth; Shebna or Shebnah, an Israelite; Shebna, Shebnah. - Strong's Number: H5608
There are 154 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סָפַר
Transliteration: çâphar
Pronunciation: saw-far'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate; commune, (ac-) count; declare, number, [phrase] penknife, reckon, scribe, shew forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer. - Strong's Number: H3098
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹאָח
Transliteration: Yôwʼâch
Pronunciation: yo-awkh'
Description: from יְהֹוָה and אָח; Jehovahbrothered; Joach, the name of four Israelites; Joah. - Strong's Number: H623
There are 311 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָסָף
Transliteration: ʼÂçâph
Pronunciation: aw-sawf'
Description: from אָסַף; collector; Asaph, the name of three Israelites, and of the family of the first; Asaph. - Strong's Number: H2142
There are 223 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זָכַר
Transliteration: zâkar
Pronunciation: zaw-kar'
Description: a primitive root; also as denominative from זָכָר; properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male; [idiom] burn (incense), [idiom] earnestly, be male, (make) mention (of), be mindful, recount, record(-er), remember, make to be remembered, bring (call, come, keep, put) to (in) remembrance, [idiom] still, think on, [idiom] well.