Isaiah 22:20

And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:

And it shall come to pass in that day {H3117}, that I will call {H7121} my servant {H5650} Eliakim {H471} the son {H1121} of Hilkiah {H2518}:

When that day comes, I will summon my servant Elyakim the son of Hilkiyahu.

On that day I will summon My servant, Eliakim son of Hilkiah.

And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:

Isaiah 22:20 marks a pivotal moment in the prophetic word concerning Jerusalem, signaling a divinely ordained change in leadership within the royal household of Judah.

Context

This verse is part of a significant prophecy in Isaiah chapter 22, often referred to as the "burden of the Valley of Vision," which primarily addresses Jerusalem. Immediately preceding this verse, the prophet Isaiah delivers a strong condemnation against Shebna, who was the royal steward or treasurer during the reign of King Hezekiah. Shebna is depicted as arrogant, self-serving, and focused on building a lavish tomb for himself rather than serving the nation. God declares He will remove Shebna from his office and replace him. Verse 20 introduces the individual chosen by God to assume this crucial administrative role: Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah. The phrase "in that day" points to a specific time of divine intervention and restructuring of authority.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty in Leadership: The primary message is God's absolute control over who holds positions of power. He "calls" Eliakim, indicating a divine appointment, not merely a political shift.
  • Stewardship and Accountability: The transfer of power from Shebna to Eliakim highlights the biblical principle of faithful stewardship. Shebna's unfaithfulness leads to his downfall, while Eliakim is elevated for his integrity and suitability for the task.
  • Replacement and Restoration: God removes an unworthy leader and replaces him with one who will genuinely serve the people, symbolizing a form of spiritual and administrative restoration for Judah.

Linguistic Insights

The name Eliakim (אֶלְיָקִים) in Hebrew means "God raises up" or "God establishes." This meaning is highly significant given his elevation by divine decree, directly fulfilling the prophetic word. His father's name, Hilkiah (חִלְקִיָּהוּ), means "My portion is Yahweh," suggesting a lineage perhaps known for its devotion to God.

Related Scriptures

The subsequent verses, Isaiah 22:21-24, elaborate on Eliakim's new role, describing him as a "father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem" and, most notably, stating that God will "lay upon his shoulder the key of the house of David." This imagery of the key of the house of David is profoundly significant, as it is later applied to Jesus Christ in Revelation 3:7, underscoring Christ's ultimate authority and stewardship over the Kingdom of God.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that God is actively involved in the affairs of nations and the selection of leaders, even in what might seem like ordinary administrative changes. It emphasizes the importance of integrity and faithfulness in positions of authority, whether in government, business, or the church. For believers, it offers assurance that God will raise up those He intends to use for His purposes, and it encourages us to pray for and support godly leadership, while also holding leaders accountable to righteous standards of stewardship.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

  • 2 Kings 18:18

    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.

  • Isaiah 37:2

    And he sent Eliakim, who [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests covered with sackcloth, unto Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.

  • 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.

  • 2 Kings 18:37

    Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which [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.

  • Isaiah 36:11

    ¶ Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand [it]: and speak not to us in the Jews' language, in the ears of the people that [are] on the wall.

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