And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state shall he pull thee down.

ISAIAH 22:19KJV
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Isaiah 22:19 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 22:19 mean?

Isaiah 22:19 announces that Shebna, an important official in Jerusalem, will lose his position. God speaks through Isaiah to tell Shebna that his place of authority will be taken from him.

The words “station” and “state” picture the standing Shebna holds in the royal household. The verse follows a warning that he will be carried away from his country (Isaiah 22:17–18). The KJV shifts from “I will drive” to “shall he pull,” while the message remains directed at Shebna.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 22:19

  • “station” — מַצָּב (matstsav): This word can mean a standing place or position. Here it points to Shebna’s established place in office, rather than simply a place where he stands.
  • “state” — מַעֲמָד (maʿamad): This word can mean a standing or position. Alongside “station,” it emphasizes the rank Shebna holds.

Why Isaiah 22:19 matters

  • Shebna’s position is the focus of the warning. Isaiah addresses him as the man “over the house” in verse 15, and verse 19 speaks of removal from his “station” and “state.”
  • The passage places Shebna’s downfall beside the choice of another official. In verses 20–21, God names Eliakim and speaks of giving him Shebna’s authority.

Where else these words appear

“state” Hebrew H4612 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Kings 10:5 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:28 Because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;
  • 2 Chronicles 9:4 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

“station” Hebrew H4673 · used in 10 verses

  • Joshua 4:3 And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.
  • 1 Samuel 14:1 Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.
  • 1 Samuel 14:11 And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.

“drive” Hebrew H1920 · used in 11 verses

  • Numbers 35:20 But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;
  • Deuteronomy 9:4 Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.
  • Job 18:18 He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.

“down” Hebrew H2040 · used in 42 verses

  • Exodus 15:7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
  • Psalms 28:5 Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.
  • Jeremiah 50:15 Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.