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.

2 KINGS 18:37KJV
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2 Kings 18:37 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 18:37 mean?

2 Kings 18:37 describes how Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah returned to King Hezekiah with their clothes torn after hearing the words of Rabshakeh, and they reported everything Rabshakeh had said. The torn clothes show their deep distress and grief over the message they received.

In this scene, Eliakim (the palace manager), Shebna (the scribe), and Joah (the recorder) had just listened to Rabshakeh, an Assyrian official, deliver a threatening message to Jerusalem. Returning to Hezekiah, they tore their clothes—a common sign of mourning or shock in ancient Israel—and relayed Rabshakeh’s words, which likely left the king and his officials feeling desperate and alarmed about the Assyrian threat.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 18:37

  • "Clothes" (בֶּגֶד, beged) and "rent" (קָרַע, qara‘): Tearing one’s clothes was a traditional way to express grief, horror, or despair in ancient Israel. This act shows how seriously the officials took Rabshakeh’s message.
  • "Rabshakeh" (רַבְשָׁקֵה, Ravshakeh): This is a title, not a personal name, referring to a high-ranking Assyrian official. Knowing this helps clarify that the message came with authority and was meant to intimidate.

Why 2 Kings 18:37 matters

  • This verse highlights the emotional impact of Rabshakeh’s threats, showing that even high officials were deeply shaken.
  • The act of tearing clothes connects this moment to other biblical stories where people respond to crisis or tragedy in the same way, underlining the seriousness of the situation.
  • By reporting Rabshakeh’s words to Hezekiah, the officials set the stage for the king’s response and the unfolding of the next events in Jerusalem’s crisis with Assyria.

Where else these words appear

“Shebna” Hebrew H7644 · used in 9 verses

  • 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.
  • 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 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.

“Joah” Hebrew H3098 · used in 10 verses

  • 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.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:4 Moreover the sons of Obededom were, Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth,
  • 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.

“Eliakim” Hebrew H471 · used in 12 verses

  • 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.
  • 2 Kings 23:34 And Pharaohnechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there.
  • 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.

“Rabshakeh” Hebrew H7262 · used in 16 verses

  • 2 Kings 18:17 And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field.
  • 2 Kings 19:4 It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that are left.
  • Isaiah 36:12 But Rabshakeh said, Hath my master sent me to thy master and to thee to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men that sit upon the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you?