Isaiah 37:2
New International Version
He sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the secretary, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.

New Living Translation
And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the court secretary, and the leading priests, all dressed in burlap, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.

English Standard Version
And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the secretary, and the senior priests, covered with sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz.

Berean Standard Bible
And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz.

New American Standard Bible
Then he sent Eliakim, who was in charge of the household, with Shebna the scribe and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz.

NASB 1995
Then he sent Eliakim who was over the household with Shebna the scribe and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz.

NASB 1977
Then he sent Eliakim who was over the household with Shebna the scribe and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he sent Eliakim, who was over the household with Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz.

Amplified Bible
Then he sent Eliakim, who was in charge of the [royal] household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz.

Christian Standard Bible
He sent Eliakim, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the court secretary, and the leading priests, who were covered with sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then he sent Eliakim, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the court secretary, and the leading priests, who were wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
He told Prime Minister Eliakim, Assistant Prime Minister Shebna, and the senior priests to dress in sackcloth and tell me:

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then he sent Eliakim, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the scribe, and the leaders of the priests, clothed in sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz.

Good News Translation
He sent Eliakim, the official in charge of the palace, Shebna, the court secretary, and the senior priests to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz. They also were wearing sackcloth.

International Standard Version
Then he sent Eliakim, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the secretary, and the senior priests, all wearing sackcloth, to Amoz's son, the prophet Isaiah.

Majority Standard Bible
And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz

NET Bible
Eliakim the palace supervisor, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, clothed in sackcloth, sent this message to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz:

New Heart English Bible
He sent Eliakim, who 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.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he sent Eliakim, who 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.

World English Bible
He sent Eliakim, who 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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and sends Eliakim, who [is] over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and [the] elderly of the priests, covering themselves with sackcloth, to Isaiah son of Amoz the prophet,

Young's Literal Translation
and sendeth Eliakim, who is over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covering themselves with sackcloth, unto Isaiah son of Amoz the prophet,

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will send Eliakim who was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and the old men of the priests covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah, son of Amos, the prophet.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he sent Eliacim who was over the house, and Sobna the scribe, and the ancients of the priests covered with sackcloth, to Isaias the son of Amos the prophet.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he sent Eliakim, who was over the house, and Shebna, the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah, the son of Amoz, the prophet.

New American Bible
He sent Eliakim, the master of the palace, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to tell the prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz,

New Revised Standard Version
And he sent Eliakim, who was in charge of the palace, and Shebna the secretary, and the senior priests, covered with sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he sent Eliakim, who was steward of the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah, the prophet, the son of Amoz.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he sent Eliakim, Chief of the household, and Shebna the Scribe and the Elders of the Priests, covered in sackcloth, to Eshaiya the Prophet, son of Amuts
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he sent Heliakim the steward, and Somnas the scribe, and the elders of the priests clothed with sackcloth, to Esaias the son of Amos, the prophet. And they said to him, Thus says Ezekias,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Isaiah's Message of Deliverance
1On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD. 2And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz 3to tell him, “This is what Hezekiah says: Today is a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace; for children have come to the point of birth, but there is no strength to deliver them.…

Cross References
2 Kings 19:2
And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz

2 Kings 18:37
Then Hilkiah’s son Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Asaph’s son Joah the recorder came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and they relayed to him the words of the Rabshakeh.

2 Kings 19:4
Perhaps the LORD your God will hear all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to defy the living God, and He will rebuke him for the words that the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up a prayer for the remnant that still survives.”

2 Kings 19:6
who replied, “Tell your master that this is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid of the words you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me.

2 Kings 19:20
Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I have heard your prayer concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria.

2 Kings 19:22
Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!

2 Kings 19:30-31
And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah will again take root below and bear fruit above. / For a remnant will go forth from Jerusalem, and survivors from Mount Zion. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

2 Kings 19:35
And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!

2 Chronicles 32:20
In response, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out to heaven in prayer,

2 Chronicles 32:24
In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. So he prayed to the LORD, who spoke to him and gave him a sign.

Jeremiah 26:18-19
“Micah the Moreshite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah and told all the people of Judah that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple mount a wooded ridge.’ / Did Hezekiah king of Judah or anyone else in Judah put him to death? Did Hezekiah not fear the LORD and seek His favor, and did not the LORD relent of the disaster He had pronounced against them? But we are about to bring great harm on ourselves!”

Jeremiah 36:25
Even though Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them.

Matthew 11:21
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Matthew 12:41
The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is here.

Luke 10:13
Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.


Treasury of Scripture

And he sent Eliakim, who 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 37:14
And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.

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.

Jump to Previous
Administrator Amoz Chief Clothed Covered Covering Dressed Elders Eliakim Eli'akim Haircloth House Household Isaiah Palace Priests Prophet Sackcloth Scribe Secretary Senior Shebna Themselves Wearing
Jump to Next
Administrator Amoz Chief Clothed Covered Covering Dressed Elders Eliakim Eli'akim Haircloth House Household Isaiah Palace Priests Prophet Sackcloth Scribe Secretary Senior Shebna Themselves Wearing
Isaiah 37
1. Hezekiah mourning, sends to Isaiah to pray for them
6. Isaiah comforts them
8. Sennacherib, going to encounter Tirhakah, sends a blasphemous letter to Hezekiah
14. Hezekiah's prayer
21. Isaiah's prophecy of the destruction of Sennacherib, and the good of Zion
36. An angel slays the Assyrians
37. Sennacherib is slain at Nineveh by his own sons.














He sent
This phrase indicates a deliberate action taken by King Hezekiah in response to the dire situation facing Jerusalem. The Hebrew root for "sent" is שָׁלַח (shalach), which often implies dispatching with authority and purpose. In the context of ancient Near Eastern practices, sending emissaries was a common diplomatic action, reflecting the seriousness of the message and the respect for the recipient.

Eliakim the palace administrator
Eliakim, whose name means "God will establish," held a significant position in Hezekiah's court. As the palace administrator, or "over the house," he was responsible for the king's household and affairs, akin to a modern-day chief of staff. His involvement underscores the gravity of the situation, as someone of his stature would only be sent in matters of utmost importance.

Shebna the scribe
Shebna, identified as the scribe, played a crucial role in the administration of the kingdom. The Hebrew term for scribe, סוֹפֵר (sopher), denotes someone skilled in writing and record-keeping, often involved in drafting official documents. His presence in this delegation highlights the need for precise communication and documentation of the events unfolding.

and the leading priests
The inclusion of the leading priests signifies the spiritual dimension of the crisis. In ancient Israel, priests were not only religious leaders but also advisors in matters of national concern. Their participation indicates that the situation required divine intervention and guidance, reflecting the theocratic nature of the Israelite society.

all wearing sackcloth
Sackcloth was a coarse material typically made from goat's hair, worn as a sign of mourning, repentance, or distress. The wearing of sackcloth by these high-ranking officials symbolizes a collective acknowledgment of the nation's dire circumstances and a humble appeal for God's mercy. It reflects a deep-seated tradition in the Hebrew culture of expressing penitence and seeking divine favor in times of crisis.

to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz
Isaiah, a major prophet in the Hebrew Bible, served as a conduit for God's messages to the people of Judah. His designation as "son of Amoz" helps distinguish him from other Isaiahs and roots him in a specific historical and familial context. The decision to consult Isaiah underscores the belief in prophetic insight and divine revelation as essential for navigating national emergencies. Isaiah's role as a prophet was not only to foretell future events but also to provide counsel and comfort, guiding the people back to faithfulness to God.

(2) Unto Isaiah the prophet.--At last, then, the people did "see their teacher" (Isaiah 30:20). In that supreme hour of calamity the prophet, who had been despised and derided, was their one resource. What could he do to extricate them from the evil net which was closing round them, and to vindicate the honour of his God?

Verse 2. - He sent Eliakim... and Shebna... and the elders of the priests. A dignified embassy, showing how much Isaiah was held in honour (comp. 2 Kings 22:14 and Jeremiah 38:3; and contrast, on the other hand, the rudeness of Ahab in sending a single eunuch to bring Micaiah into his presence, 1 Kings 22:9). The prophets, as representatives of Jehovah, were entitled to respect and observance even from kings.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He sent
וַ֠יִּשְׁלַח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

Eliakim
אֶלְיָקִ֨ים (’el·yā·qîm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 471: Eliakim -- 'God sets up', three Israelites

the palace
הַבַּ֜יִת (hab·ba·yiṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

administrator,
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Shebna
שֶׁבְנָ֣א (šeḇ·nā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7644: Shebna -- secretary and majordomo of Hezekiah

the scribe,
הַסּוֹפֵ֗ר (has·sō·w·p̄êr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate

and the leading
זִקְנֵ֣י (ziq·nê)
Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2205: Old

priests,
הַכֹּהֲנִ֔ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

all wearing
מִתְכַּסִּ֖ים (miṯ·kas·sîm)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover

sackcloth,
בַּשַּׂקִּ֑ים (baś·śaq·qîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8242: A mesh, coarse loose cloth, sacking, a bag

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the prophet
הַנָּבִֽיא׃ (han·nā·ḇî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

Isaiah
יְשַֽׁעְיָ֥הוּ (yə·ša‘·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3470: Isaiah -- 'salvation of Yah', four Israelites

son
בֶן־ (ḇen-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Amoz
אָמ֖וֹץ (’ā·mō·wṣ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 531: Amoz -- 'strong', the father of Isaiah


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 37:2 He sent Eliakim who was over (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 37:1
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