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.
Then three officials came out to meet him: Eliakim (Hilkiah's son), who was in charge of the royal palace, Shebna the secretary, and Joah (Asaph's son), who kept the official records.
This verse introduces three high-ranking Jewish officials who came out to negotiate with the Assyrian military commander threatening Jerusalem.
📚 Historical Context
Isaiah 36:3 is set during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem in 701 BC, under the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, who was facing a massive invasion led by Sennacherib. Eliakim, as the palace administrator, Shebna as the royal secretary, and Joah as the official recorder were key figures in Hezekiah's court who stepped forward to address the Assyrian envoy. This event is part of a broader biblical narrative in Isaiah and Kings that highlights Judah's dependence on God amid political and military threats.
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