2 Kings 18:18 Then they called for the king; and Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebnah the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to them.

◄ 2 Kings 18:18 ►

New International Version
They called for the king; and Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebna the secretary, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder went out to them.

New Living Translation
They summoned King Hezekiah, but the king sent these officials to meet with them: Eliakim son of Hilkiah, the palace administrator; Shebna the court secretary; and Joah son of Asaph, the royal historian.

English Standard Version
And when they called for the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebnah the secretary, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder.

Berean Standard Bible
Then they called for the king; and Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebnah the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to them.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And when they had called to the king, Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder, came out to them.

New American Standard Bible
Then they called to the king, and Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the household, Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the secretary, went out to them.

NASB 1995
When they called to the king, Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebnah the scribe and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, came out to them.

NASB 1977
When they called to the king, Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebnah the scribe and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, came out to them.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then they called to the king, and Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebnah the scribe and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, came out to them.

Amplified Bible
When they called for the king, Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the [king’s] household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the secretary went out to [meet] them.

Christian Standard Bible
They called for the king, but Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace, Shebnah the court secretary, and Joah son of Asaph, the court historian, came out to them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then they called for the king, but Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace, Shebnah the court secretary, and Joah son of Asaph, the court historian, came out to them.

American Standard Version
And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.

Contemporary English Version
They called out to Hezekiah, and three of his highest officials came out to meet them. One of them was Hilkiah's son Eliakim, who was the prime minister. The other two were Shebna, assistant to the prime minister, and Joah son of Asaph, keeper of the government records.

English Revised Version
And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When they called for King Hezekiah, Eliakim, who was in charge of the palace and was the son of Hilkiah, Shebnah the scribe, and Joah, who was the royal historian and the son of Asaph, went out to the field commander.

Good News Translation
Then they sent for King Hezekiah, and three of his officials went out to meet them: Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace; Shebna, the court secretary; and Joah son of Asaph, who was in charge of the records.

International Standard Version
When they called for the king, Hilkiah's son Eliakim, who managed the household, Shebnah the scribe, and Asaph's son Joah the recorder went out to them.

Majority Standard Bible
Then they called for the king; and Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebnah the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to them.

NET Bible
They summoned the king, so Eliakim son of Hilkiah, the palace supervisor, accompanied by Shebna the scribe and Joah son of Asaph, the secretary, went out to meet them.

New Heart English Bible
When they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.

World English Bible
When they had called to the king, Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder came out to them.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And they call to the king, and Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who [is] over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph, the remembrancer, go out to them.

Young's Literal Translation
And they call unto the king, and go out unto them doth Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who is over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the remembrancer.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will call for the king, and there will go forth to them Eliakim, son of Hilkiah, who was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph reminding.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And they called for the king: and there went out to them Eliacim the son of Helcias who was over the house, and Sobna the scribe, and Joahe the son of Asaph the recorder.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they called for the king. But there went out to them Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, the first ruler of the house, and Shebnah, the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the keeper of records.

New American Bible
They called for the king, but Eliakim, son of Hilkiah, the master of the palace, came out, along with Shebnah the scribe and the chancellor Joah, son of Asaph.

New Revised Standard Version
When they called for the king, there came out to them Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace, and Shebnah the secretary, and Joah son of Asaph, the recorder.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was the steward of the household, and Shebna the scribe and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they called to the King, and Eliakim, son of Khelqia, the Steward, and Shebna the Scribe, and Yuakh, son of Asaph, the Chronicler went out to them.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they cried to Ezekias: and there came to him Heliakim the son of Chelcias the steward, and Somnas the scribe, and Joas the son of Saphat the recorder.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem
17Nevertheless, the king of Assyria sent the Tartan, the Rabsaris, and the Rabshakeh, along with a great army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. They advanced up to Jerusalem and stationed themselves by the aqueduct of the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field. 18Then they called for the king; and Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebnah the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to them. 19The Rabshakeh said to them, “Tell Hezekiah that this is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: What is the basis of this confidence of yours?…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Isaiah 36:3
Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to him.

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

Isaiah 37:2
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 Chronicles 32:9-12
Later, as Sennacherib king of Assyria and all his forces besieged Lachish, he sent his servants to Jerusalem with a message for King Hezekiah of Judah and all the people of Judah who were in Jerusalem: / “This is what Sennacherib king of Assyria says: What is the basis of your confidence, that you remain in Jerusalem under siege? / Is not Hezekiah misleading you to give you over to death by famine and thirst when he says, ‘The LORD our God will deliver us from the hand of the king of Assyria?’ ...

Isaiah 36:22
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 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 19:5
So the servants of King Hezekiah went to Isaiah,

Isaiah 37:5
So the servants of King Hezekiah went to Isaiah,

2 Samuel 8:18
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders.

1 Kings 4:3
Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, were secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;

1 Kings 18:3
and Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Now Obadiah greatly feared the LORD,

2 Chronicles 34:20
and commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king:

Nehemiah 8:9
Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the Law.

Jeremiah 26:24
Nevertheless, Ahikam son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Treasury of Scripture

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.

Eliakim.

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 22:20-24
And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah: …

Isaiah 36:3,22
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…

Shebna.

Isaiah 22:15-19
Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say, …

the scribe.

2 Samuel 8:17
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;

the recorder.

2 Samuel 8:16
And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

2 Samuel 20:24
And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder:

1 Kings 4:3
Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder.

Jump to Previous

Administrator Asaph Chronicler Eliakim Eli'akim Forth Hilkiah Hilki'ah Hilkijah House Household Joah Jo'ah Palace Recorder Remembrancer Scribe Secretary Shebna Shebnah

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Administrator Asaph Chronicler Eliakim Eli'akim Forth Hilkiah Hilki'ah Hilkijah House Household Joah Jo'ah Palace Recorder Remembrancer Scribe Secretary Shebna Shebnah

2 Kings 18

1. Hezekiah's good reign
4. He destroys idolatry, and prospers
9. The inhabitants of Samaria are carried captive for their sins
13. Sennacherib invading Judah, is pacified by a tribute
17. Rabshakeh, by blasphemous persuasions, solicits the people to revolt

Berean Study Bible

They called for the king
This phrase indicates a direct challenge to the authority of King Hezekiah. In the context of ancient Near Eastern diplomacy, calling for the king was a significant act, often implying a demand for surrender or negotiation. The Hebrew root for "called" (קָרָא, qara) can also mean to summon or proclaim, suggesting a formal and authoritative request. Historically, this reflects the Assyrian practice of demanding submission from vassal states, highlighting the political tension and the threat posed by the Assyrian empire.

but Eliakim son of Hilkiah
Eliakim, whose name means "God will establish," was a prominent figure in Hezekiah's administration. The mention of his lineage, "son of Hilkiah," underscores the importance of family heritage and the trust placed in him by the king. Eliakim's role as a representative of the king in this tense situation speaks to his reliability and status. The historical context shows that Eliakim was later appointed over the household, indicating his significant influence and responsibility.

the palace administrator
This title, in Hebrew "אֲשֶׁר עַל-הַבַּיִת" (asher al-habayit), literally means "over the house," signifying a high-ranking official responsible for the king's household and affairs. This position was akin to a chief steward or prime minister, reflecting Eliakim's authority and the trust Hezekiah placed in him. The role was crucial in managing the kingdom's internal affairs, especially during times of crisis.

Shebna the scribe
Shebna, whose name means "vigorous" or "youthful," held the position of scribe, a role of significant importance in the administration. The scribe was responsible for recording events, drafting official documents, and maintaining communication. In the biblical context, scribes were often seen as wise and learned individuals. Shebna's presence indicates the importance of accurate communication and record-keeping during this diplomatic encounter.

and Joah son of Asaph
Joah, meaning "Yahweh is brother," is identified by his lineage, "son of Asaph," which may connect him to a family of Levites known for their musical and liturgical roles. This connection suggests a background of service and dedication to the temple, although Joah's role here is secular. His inclusion in this delegation highlights the importance of having trusted and capable individuals in key positions during critical negotiations.

the recorder
The recorder, or "מַזְכִּיר" (mazkir) in Hebrew, was an official responsible for chronicling events and maintaining the annals of the kingdom. This role was vital for preserving the history and decisions of the reign, ensuring that the king's actions were documented for posterity. The presence of a recorder in this delegation underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for an accurate account of the proceedings.

went out to them
This phrase indicates the proactive approach taken by Hezekiah's officials in addressing the Assyrian representatives. The act of going out to meet them demonstrates a willingness to engage diplomatically, rather than resorting immediately to conflict. It reflects a strategic decision to manage the crisis through dialogue, showcasing the wisdom and courage of Hezekiah's administration in the face of overwhelming odds.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(18) And when they had called to the king.--They demanded a parley with Hezekiah himself. The king sent out his chief ministers; as to whom see 1Kings 4:1-4. For Eliakim and Shebna see further, Isaiah 22:15; Isaiah 22:20 seq.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 18. - And when they had called to the king - i.e., when they had announced that they had a message to deliver to the king - there came out to them; by Hezekiah's order, doubtless. Learning that they were three of Sennacherib's highest officials, he sent out to them three of the chief officers of his own court. Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household. Recently promoted to that high position, instead of Shebna, according to the prophecy (Isaiah 22:19-22), and perhaps by the influence of Isaiah. And Shebna the scribe; or, secretary - the official employed to draw up documents, such as treaties, protocols, despatches, and the like. He had been removed to this inferior position, to make room for Eliakim, but had not yet suffered, the banishment with which Isaiah (Isaiah 22:18) had threatened him. And Joah the son of Asaph the recorder; or, remembrancer - the person whose chief duty it probably was to chronicle events as they occurred, and finally to draw up the memoir of each reign at its close. (For another view, see the comment on 1 Kings 4:3.)

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then they called
וַֽיִּקְרְאוּ֙ (way·yiq·rə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

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

the king;
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

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

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Hilkiah
חִלְקִיָּ֖הוּ (ḥil·qî·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2518: Hilkiah -- 'my portion is Yah', the name of several Israelites

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

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

Shebnah
וְשֶׁבְנָה֙ (wə·šeḇ·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7644: Shebna -- secretary and majordomo of Hezekiah

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

and Joah
וְיוֹאָ֥ח (wə·yō·w·’āḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3098: Joah -- 'the LORD is brother', the name of several Israelites

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Asaph
אָסָ֖ף (’ā·sāp̄)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 623: Asaph -- 'gatherer', the name of several Israelites

the recorder,
הַמַּזְכִּֽיר׃ (ham·maz·kîr)
Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2142: To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male

went out
וַיֵּצֵ֧א (way·yê·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

to them.
אֲלֵהֶ֛ם (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

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OT History: 2 Kings 18:18 When they had called to the king (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)