Bible Strands
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
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — King Hezekiah dispatches Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz (Isaiah 37:2). This occurs immediately after Hezekiah tears his clothes, dons sackcloth, and enters the house of the LORD upon receiving a distressing report (Isaiah 37:1). The delegation arrives at the moment when the nation faces a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace, with childbirth imminent but no strength to deliver (Isaiah 37:3).
The words — The Hebrew verb וַ֠/יִּשְׁלַח (Va/i.yish.lach) translates literally as "and he sent," marking the formal royal command (H7971). The prepositional phrase עַל\־ הַ/בַּ֜/יִת (al-/ha./Ba.yit) means "over the house," specifying Eliakim’s official capacity as palace administrator (H5921/H1004).
The thread — The same three officials appear in 2 Kings 19:2 and are listed in the administrative record of 2 Kings 18:18. The prophetic encounter continues the vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem originally introduced in Isaiah 1:1.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to note the deliberate, penitent posture of the royal delegation as they approach the prophet for intervention. It demands a direct engagement with the stated crisis, focusing on the concrete need for strength rather than abstract comfort (Isaiah 37:3).
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James 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.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 1:1 This is the vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
- 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 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 22:12 and commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king:
- 2 Chronicles 20:20 Early in the morning they got up and left for the Wilderness of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, “Hear me, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be upheld; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.”
- 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.
- Isaiah 37:14 So Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers, read it, and went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD.
- Joel 1:13 Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests; wail, O ministers of the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God, because the grain and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God.