Overview
The Bible addresses shebna across 13 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Isaiah and 2 Kings. Closely related themes include Sennacherib, Assyria, Rab-Shakeh and Secretary. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Hezekiah, Isaiah and Amoz.
Key Bible verses about shebna
Old Testament
2 Kings
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. scribe: or, secretary
Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews' language in the ears of the people that are on the wall.
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.
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
Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say,
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? as: or, O he
Behold, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee. will carry: or, the Lord who covered thee with an excellent covering, and clothed thee gorgeously, v.18.shall surely, etc a mighty: Heb. the captivity of a man
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. large: Heb. large of spaces
And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state shall he pull thee down.
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. scribe: or, secretary
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.
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.
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.
People in the Bible and shebna
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying shebna for yourself
- Begin with 2 Kings 18:18, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Isaiah and 2 Kings each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Hezekiah, Isaiah and Amoz and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Sennacherib, Assyria, Rab-Shakeh and Secretary.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about shebna?
The Bible addresses shebna across 13 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Isaiah and 2 Kings. Closely related themes include Sennacherib, Assyria, Rab-Shakeh and Secretary. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Hezekiah, Isaiah and Amoz.
How many Bible verses are about shebna?
The Bible references shebna in 13 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention shebna?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is 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. scribe: or, secretary”
Which people in the Bible are associated with shebna?
Hezekiah, Isaiah and Amoz.
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