Shebna was a high-ranking official under King Hezekiah of Judah, serving as steward (palace administrator). He was condemned by the prophet Isaiah for his pride and self-exaltation, especially for carving out an elaborate tomb in the rock. He was later demoted from his position as steward to scribe and replaced by Eliakim, son of Hilkiah.
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Isaiah's Judgment Against Shebna
The prophet Isaiah prophesied against Shebna for his pride and for carving out a magnificent tomb in the rock, declaring that the Lord would cast him away.
16What are you doing here, and who gave you the right, that you have cut out a tomb for yourself here—carving your grave on the height, chiseling a resting place for yourself in the rock?
18wind you up like a ball and fling you into a vast land. There you will die, and there your splendid chariots will lie—you disgrace to your master's house!
21I will clothe him with your robe and fasten your sash around him. I will hand your authority over to him, and he will be a father to those who live in Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.
25On that day, declares the LORD of hosts, the peg driven into the firm place will give way; it will be cut down and fall, and the load hanging on it will be destroyed. For the LORD has spoken.
Shebna as Scribe During the Assyrian King's Threat
During Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem, Shebna was sent out as scribe along with Eliakim and Joah to meet the Assyrian Rabshakeh outside the walls of Jerusalem.
18They called for the king, and Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace, Shebnah the secretary, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder came out to them.
26Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, along with Shebnah and Joah, said to the Rabshakeh, "Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it. Do not speak to us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall."
37Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the secretary, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder went to Hezekiah with their clothes torn and reported to him what the Rabshakeh had said.
37Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the secretary, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder went to Hezekiah with their clothes torn and reported to him what the Rabshakeh had said.
King Hezekiah sent Eliakim, Shebna the scribe and the elders among the priests to the prophet Isaiah to ask for prayer when Sennacherib threatened Jerusalem.
2He sent Eliakim, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the scribe, and the senior priests, all of them covered in sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.
11Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the Rabshakeh, "Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it. Do not speak to us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall."
22Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, the palace administrator, Shebna the secretary, and Joah son of Asaph, the recorder, came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn and reported to him the words of the Rabshakeh.
2He sent Eliakim, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the secretary, and the senior priests, all covered in sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.