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.

ISAIAH 36:22KJV
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Isaiah 36:22 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 36:22 mean?

Isaiah 36:22 describes how Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah—three officials of King Hezekiah—returned to him with their clothes torn after hearing the words of Rabshakeh, the Assyrian king’s envoy. Their torn clothes showed deep distress and grief as they reported Rabshakeh’s message to Hezekiah.

The verse takes place during a tense moment when Jerusalem is threatened by the Assyrian army. Rabshakeh, speaking for the Assyrian king, had just delivered a troubling ultimatum to the leaders of Judah. Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah, who held important roles in Hezekiah’s administration, responded by tearing their garments—a traditional sign of mourning or shock in ancient Israel—before relaying the message to their king.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 36:22

  • "Clothes" (בֶּגֶד, beged) and "rent" (קָרַע, qaraʿ): The act of tearing clothes was a common way in ancient Israel to show grief, horror, or despair. This detail emphasizes the emotional weight and seriousness of Rabshakeh’s words.
  • "Rabshakeh" (רַבְשָׁקֵה, ravshakeh): This is a title rather than a personal name, often understood as a high-ranking Assyrian official or field commander. Knowing this helps clarify that the message came with authority and threat.

Why Isaiah 36:22 matters

  • The verse highlights the emotional and psychological impact of the Assyrian threat on Judah’s leaders, showing that even high officials were deeply shaken.
  • It sets the stage for Hezekiah’s response in the following chapter, emphasizing the gravity of the crisis facing Jerusalem.
  • The mention of specific officials and their actions grounds the story in real historical practices and people, making the account more vivid and relatable.

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 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 36:3 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.

“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 6:21 Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeaterai his son.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God.

“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 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 22:20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:

“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 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.