Isaiah 22:20-22 KJV

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:20

In that day . In the day of Shebna's deposition from his office of prefect of the palace. My servant Eliakim . On the dignity of this title, when given by God himself, see the comment on Isaiah 20:3 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:20-21

The influence of an individual on public policy. Governments always drift into the control of the most energetic, or most gifted, man. They go astray unless ruled by some master-spirit. It is said, with as much truth as satire, that "committees are always committees of one." They are the comfortable agencies by means of which some strong-willed man gets his own way. And it may be urged that at least as much good as evil attends the arrangement. Eliakim is raised up as a master-spirit, in a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:20-25

Installment of Eliakim. I. A SERVANT OF JEHOVAH . So he is characterized. The title may be of personal, spiritual, import, or of official; or both may be blended, as in the case of Isaiah himself ( Isaiah 20:3 ); or there may be a separation of the two. Unhappy for a nation or for a Church if the true servants of the Eternal, the true devotees of right and truth, are excluded from the places of honor and influence; or if the "ministers and stewards" of Divine mysteries are so only... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:20-25

Authority and influence. On the deposition of Shebna, Eliakim was appointed prefect, clothed with the robe and invested with the keys of office; henceforth he should shut and open, should appoint and depose according to his good pleasure. We look at— I. THE EXCELLENCE OF HUMAN AUTHORITY . 1. It satisfies a craving which is both broad and deep. Doubtless his succession to the high office vacated by Shebna brought great gratification to the heart of Elialdm. Men covet... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:21

With thy robe … with thy girdle . The dress of office worn by Shebna would be taken from him, and Eliakim would be invested therewith. The "robe" is the long-sleeved cloak or tunic worn commonly by persons of rank; the "girdle" is probably an ornamental one, like those of the priests ( Exodus 28:39 ), worn over the inner tunic. He shall be a father ; i.e. a protector, counselor, guide (comp. Job 29:16 , "I was a father to the poor : and the cause which I knew not I searched... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:22

The key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder . A key would seem to have been the special badge of the prefect's office, which included the control of the stores ( Isaiah 22:15 ), and the general management of the household. It was, perhaps, a part of the form of investiture, that the key should be first laid on the prefect's shoulder and then delivered into his hand. Among the Greeks the priests of Ceres are said to have borne a key on their shoulder, permanently, as a badge... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:22

The symbol of authority. The "key on the shoulder" is no mere badge of the steward's office; it represents delegated authority. Large wooden locks and keys were used in the East, and these keys were heavy enough to need carrying on the shoulder. But the expression is best regarded as a recognized figure of speech. The figure may receive four illustrations. I. THE KEY OF COURT OFFICE . As in case of Eliakim. II. THE KEY OF RABBIS , AS TEACHERS . Remember the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:20

My servant Eliakim - A man who will be faithful to me; who will be trustworthy, and to whom the interests of the city may be safely confided; a man who will not seek to betray it into the hands of the enemy. Of Eliakim we know nothing more than what is stated here, and in Isaiah 36:0. From that account it appears that he was prefect of the palace; that he was employed in a negotiation with the leader of the army of the Assyrians; and that he was in all things faithful to the trust reposed in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:21

And I will clothe him with thy robe - He shall succeed thee in the office, and wear the garments which are appropriate to it.And strengthen him with thy girdle - That is, he shall wear the same girdle that thou didst (see the note at Isaiah 3:24). In that girdle was usually the purse, and to it was attached the sword. Often, among the Orientals, the girdle was adorned with gold and precious stones, and was regarded as the principal embellishment of the dress.And he shall be a father ... - A... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:22

And the key - A key is that by which a house is locked or opened. To possess that is, therefore, to have free access to it, or control over it. Thus we give possession of a house by giving the “key” into the hands of a purchaser, implying that it is his; that he has free access to it; that he can close it when he pleases, and that no other one, without his permission, has the right of access to it.Of the house of David - Of the house which David built for his royal residence; that is, of the... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:20-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:20-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:20-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:22

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 22:22

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:21

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 22:22

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