Isaiah 36:3 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

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.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

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.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

This verse introduces three high-ranking Jewish officials who came out to negotiate with the Assyrian military commander threatening Jerusalem.

📚 Historical Context

This takes place around 701 BC when the Assyrian king Sennacherib had surrounded Jerusalem and sent his field commander to demand surrender. King Hezekiah sent his top three government officials to hear what the Assyrians had to say, rather than appearing himself, which was typical diplomatic protocol of the time.

Explore Similar Verses

2 Kings 18:18

When they called out to the king, three officials came out to meet with them: Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the royal household; Shebna the secretary; and Joah son of Asaph, who kept the royal records.

2 Chronicles 34:20

Then the king gave orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam (Shaphan's son), Abdon (Micah's son), Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah (one of the king's officials), saying,

2 Kings 18:37

Then Eliakim (Hilkiah's son, who was in charge of the royal household), Shebna the secretary, and Joah (Asaph's son, the royal historian) came to King Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and they told him what the Rabshakeh had said.

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