Shebna

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Shebna is the name of a state scribe under Hezekiah in the Old Testament .

etymology

The name Shebna ( Hebrew שֶׁבְנָה schevnā , ancient Greek Σομνας Somnas ) is a two-part sentence name. The subject is YHWH, the predicate is uncertain. Either it is derived from the Hebrew שׁוב schuv “to reverse”, whereby the נ n only occurs with the imperative, so that the meaning “return, YHWH!” Results. If one assumes that the n belongs to the root of the verb, the result is a verb schbn , which is not used and for which the meaning "approach" is assumed, so that the name would mean "YHWH has approached".

There are different name variants:

  • Schebanja (Hebrew שְׁבַנְיָה schәvanjā , this corresponds in the Septuagint to gr. Σεχενια Sechenia , Σαβανια Sabania , Σεβανι Sebani and Σαραβια Sarabia )
  • Schebanyahu (Hebrew שְׁבַנְיָהוּ schәvanjāhû , in the Septuagint gr. Σοβνια Sobnia , Σοβνεια Sobneia , Σωβενια Sōbenia and Σομνια Somnia )

biography

Shebna is a scribe and royal official under Hezekiah in 2 Kings 18–19  EU and Isa 36–37  EU . Together with Eljakim, he witnessed a speech by Rabshake , the leader of an Assyrian legion, which aims to break the resistance of the Jerusalem population and to take the city. As he achieved this goal, Hezekiah sends Shebna and Eliakim to Isaiah , from whom they receive a word of salvation that is also fulfilled.

In Isa 22.15–25  EU there is a threatening word against Shebna. This is to be replaced by Eljakim.

literature