The Tomb of Shebna, the Royal Steward

Read while you listen

In this picture is the Tomb marker presumed to belong to Shebna, the Royal Steward. In Isaiah 22:15-16, the royal steward Shebna, appointed by King Hezekiah, is admonished for building himself too grandiose a tomb.

Thus says the L-rd G-D of hosts, "Come, go to this steward, to Shebna, who is in charge of the royal household…you have hewn a tomb for yourself here, you who hew a tomb on the height, you who carve a resting place for yourself in the rock?"

Tomb of Shebna
The British Museum, London
Ardon Bar-Hama

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Overview

In the Bible

Isaiah 22:15-16

Thus says the L-RD G-D of hosts, "Come, go to this steward,

To Shebna, who is in charge of the royal household…

You have hewn a tomb for yourself here,

You who hew a tomb on the height,

You who carve a resting place for yourself in the rock?"

יְשַׁעְיָהוּ כ"ב, ט"ו-ט"ז:

"כֹּ֥ה אָמַ֛ר אֲדֹנָ֥י ה' צְבָא֑וֹת לֶךְ־בֹּא֙ אֶל־הַסֹּכֵ֣ן הַזֶּ֔ה עַל־שֶׁבְנָ֖א אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַל־הַבָּֽיִת. ...כִּֽי־חָצַ֧בְתָּ לְּךָ֛ פֹּ֖ה קָ֑בֶר חֹֽצְבִ֤י מָרוֹם֙ קִבְר֔וֹ חֹֽקְקִ֥י בַסֶּ֖לַע מִשְׁכָּ֥ן לֽוֹ."