Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 15. Thus saith the Lord God of hosts; Go get thee to the treasurer, to Shebna the steward of the house, and say.

Vers. 15. Thus saith the Lord God of hostes; Goe get thee to the treasurer, to Shebna the steward of the house, and say.

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.