This prophecy is particularly addressed against one man. For having spoken to all the people before, he now turns his speech to Shebna, 1whom he will mention again in the 37. Chapter. The Prophet gives him two titles, to wit, of Scribe, or Chancellor; and steward of the house: and whereas he gives the title of steward here, he will call him by the name of Chancellor in the other place. And therefore some are of opinion touching these words, that he was put from his office of stewardship, and that Eliakim was put in his room. But this is uncertain: yet we may conjecture by the Prophets words, that Shebna was so carried away with envy, that he endeavoured to supplant Eliakim. It is no less probable that this prophecy was ⟨p. 217⟩written after Jerusalem was miraculously delivered, and Sennacherib's host discomfited. In the mean while, many things doubtless happened that are unknown to us: and not unlike but this perfidious wretch being in some credit, did his worst to suppress Eliakim. For it appears by the history o• the second book of Kings, Chap. 19.2. that Shebna was one of the principal Secretaries, whom we now call Chancellor. But there is yet a little more difficulty in the word Socen: for some think it signifies a Treasurer, because the verb Sacan signifies to lock: but seeing he calls him Chancellor in an other place, I think he was not Treasurer. Besides, the Prophet doth sufficiently witness, that this man had such command in his hands, that others in comparison of him were little esteemed. Now this authority and dignity could not well agree to a Treasurer: and therefore as I take it, the Prophet meant some thing else. For seeing this verb signifies some times to entertain, and to warm; it seems the foresaid word is taken for one that sustaineth and upholdeth, whom we in our common speech call an entertainer.
THis prophesie is particularly addressed against one man. For hauing spoken to all the people before, hee now turnes his speech to Shebna, 1whom hee will mention againe in the 37. Chapter. The Prophet giues him two titles, to wit, of Scribe, or Chancellour; and steward of the house: and whereas hee giues the title of steward here, he will call him by the name of Chancellour in the other place. And therefore some are of opinion touching these words, that he was put from his office of stewardship, and that Eliakim was put in his roome. But this is vncertaine: yet we may coniecture by the Prophets words, that Shebna was so carried away with enuie, that he indeuoured to supplant Eliakim. It is no lesse probable that this prophecie was ⟨p. 217⟩written after Ierusalem was miraculously deliuered, and Senacheribs host discomfited. In the meane while, many things doubtlesse happened that are vnknowne to vs: and not vnlike but this perfidious wretch being in some credit, did his worst to suppresse Eliakim. For it appeares by the historie o• the second booke of Kings, Chap. 19.2. that Shebna was one of the principall Secretaries, whom we now call Chancellour. But there is yet a little more difficultie in the word Socen: for some thinke it signifies a Treasurer, because the verbe Sacan signifies to locke: but seeing he calles him Chancellour in an other place, I thinke he was not Treasurer. Besides, the Prophet doth sufficiently witnesse, that this man had such cammand in his hands, that others in comparison of him were little esteemed. Now this authoritie and dignitie could not well agree to a Treasurer: and therefore as I take it, the Prophet meant some thing else. For seeing this verbe signifies some times to entertaine, and to warme; it seemes the foresaid word is taken for one that sustaineth and vpholdeth, whom wee in our common speech call an entertainer.
- 1Shebna.
