Bible Encyclopedias
Shebna

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Heb. Shebna', שֶׁבְנָא [occasionally Shebnah', שֶׁבְנָה, 2 Kings 18:18; 2 Kings 18:26; 2 Kings 19:2]. vigor; Sept. Σεβνάς v.r. Σομνάς; Josephus, Σοβναῖος [Ant. 10, 1,1]), a person of high position in Hezekiah's court, holding at one time the office of praefect of the palace (Isaiah 22:15), but subsequently the subordinate office of secretary (36:3;2 .Kings 19:2), his former post being given to Eliakim, .B.C. 713. This change appears to have been effected by Isaiah's interposition; for Shebna had incurred the prophet's extreme displeasure, partly on account of his pride (Isaiah 22:16), his luxury (Isaiah 22:18), and his tyranny (as implied in the title of "father" bestowed on his successor, Isaiah 22:21), and partly (as appears from his successor being termed a "servant of Jehovah," Isaiah 22:20) on account of his belonging to the political party which was opposed to the theocracy and in favor of the Egyptian alliance. From the omission of the usual notice of his father's name, it has been conjectured that he was a novrus homo. Winer thinks, from the Aramaean form of his name, that he was a foreigner. He is also mentioned in 2 Kings 18:37, Isaiah 36:11; Isaiah 36:22; Isaiah 37:2.

Bibliography Information
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Shebna'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​tce/​s/shebna.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.