Eliakim אֶלְיָקִים
Palace administrator under King Hezekiah
Who is Eliakim in the Bible?
Eliakim, son of Hilkiah, was the palace administrator and treasurer under King Hezekiah of Judah during the Assyrian invasion in the late 8th century BC. He appears prominently in 2 Kings 18-19 and Isaiah 36-37 as one of three officials, along with Shebna and Joah, whom Hezekiah sent to negotiate with the threatening Assyrian commander, the Rabshakeh (2Ki.18.18). When the Assyrians demanded Judah's surrender, Eliakim and his colleagues reported their message to the king, who sought the prophet Isaiah's guidance (2Ki.19.2). Isaiah's response included a prophecy that elevated Eliakim's authority, declaring that Shebna would be removed and Eliakim placed in his stead as steward over the royal household (Isa.22.20-25). Eliakim's significance lies in his role as a faithful servant of the king during a national crisis and as a figure through whom God demonstrated His protection of Jerusalem and His people.
Biography
Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, served as the palace administrator under King Hezekiah of Judah. He is mentioned in 2 Kings 18-19, Isaiah 22, and Isaiah 36-37. During the Assyrian invasion, Eliakim, along with Shebna the secretary and Joah the recorder, was sent by Hezekiah to meet with the Assyrian officials (2Ki.18.18). The Assyrian commander, the Rabshakeh, delivered a threatening message, urging the people of Judah to surrender (2Ki.18.26-37). Eliakim and the others reported the message to Hezekiah, who sought the counsel of the prophet Isaiah (2Ki.19.2; Isa.37.2). Isaiah prophesied that God would deliver Jerusalem from the Assyrians (Isa.22.20-25). Eliakim's role as palace administrator suggests that he was a high-ranking official and trusted advisor to the king. His involvement in the diplomatic negotiations with the Assyrians highlights the critical situation Judah faced during this time.
Family
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study content2 Kings 4 verses
- 2 Kings 18:18
"Then they called for the king. And Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebnah the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to them."
- 2 Kings 18:26
"Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, along with Shebnah and Joah, said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak with us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.”"
- 2 Kings 18:37
"Then Hilkiah’s son Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Asaph’s son Joah the recorder came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and they relayed to him the words of the Rabshakeh."
- 2 Kings 19:2
"And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz"
Isaiah 5 verses
- Isaiah 22:20
"On that day I will summon My servant, Eliakim son of Hilkiah."
Study Isaiah → - Isaiah 36:3
"Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to him."
Study Isaiah → - Isaiah 36:11
"Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak to us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.”"
Study Isaiah → - Isaiah 36:22
"Then Hilkiah’s son Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Asaph’s son Joah the recorder came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and they relayed to him the words of the Rabshakeh."
Study Isaiah → - Isaiah 37:2
"And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz"
Study Isaiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֶלְיָקִים | ʾelĕyāqiym | Eljakim , the name of four Israelites |
Eliakim
ctions of his office are seen from the oracle of Isaiah in which Shebna is deposed and Eliakim set in his place (Isa 22:15 ff). He is the "treasurer" (the Revised Version, margin "steward"), and is "over the house" (Isa 22:15).
At his installation he is clothed with a robe and girdle, the insignia of his office, and, having the government committed into his hand, is the "father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah" (Isa 22:21). The key of the house of David is laid on his shoulder, and he alone has power to open and shut, this being symbolic of his absolute authority as the king's representative (Isa 22:22).
One of Solomon's officials is the first mentioned as occupying this position (1Ki 4:6), and this office was continued in both the Northern and Southern Kingdom (1Ki 16:9; 18:3; 2Ki 10:5; 15:5). Its importance is seen from the fact that after Azariah was smitten with leprosy, Jotham his heir "was over the household, judging the people of the land" (2Ki 15:5).
When Sennacherib sent an army against Jerusalem in 701, Eliskim was one of these Jewish princes who held on behalf of Hezekiah a parley with the Assyrian officers (2Ki 18:18,26,37; Isa 36:3,11,22). As a result of the invader's threats, he was sent by Hezekiah in sackcloth to Isaiah, entreating his prayers to Yahweh on behalf of Jerusalem (2Ki 19:2; Isa 37:2).
(2) The original name of Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah, whom Pharaoh-necoh made king of Judah (2Ki 23:34; 2Ch 36:4).
(3) A priest who assisted at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, rebuilt after his return from Babylon (Ne 12:41).
(4) A grandson of Zerubbabel and ancestor of Jesus (Mt 1:13).
(5) An ancestor of Jesus (Lu 3:30).
S. F. Hunter
/APC 1Esdras 9:34; possibly corresponds to "Binnui" in Ezr 10:38.
e-li'-am ('eli'-am, "people's God"?):
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