Isaiah 22:16 Meaning and Explanation
“What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Isaiah accuses Shebna of vanity: carving an elaborate tomb for himself as though he owns the land and deserves eternal glory.
The Context of Isaiah 22:16
Shebna's vanity—carving an elaborate tomb—offends against God's priority and true authority.
What Does Isaiah 22:16 Mean?
God's question through Isaiah is sarcastic and cutting: 'What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here?'—implying that Shebna has no legitimate claim to Jerusalem or to permanence in it. He is a temporary steward, not an owner. Yet he has had a sepulchre hewn out of rock, an expensive, elaborate burial chamber fit for royalty.
'Graveth an habitation for himself in a rock' portrays Shebna's presumption: building a costly, carved tomb as though preparing to rest eternally in status and glory. This is not mere preparation for death but a monument to ego. The repeated reference to the sepulchre emphasizes vanity and misplaced priority—he cares more for his own burial monument than for the nation's survival.
Isaiah 22:16 in the Original Language
hagah (הָגָה), 'graveth'—to engrave, hew, or carve; here of shaping a tomb out of rock.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 22:16
What does Isaiah 22:16 mean?
Isaiah accuses Shebna of vanity: carving an elaborate tomb for himself as though he owns the land and deserves eternal glory.
What is the context of Isaiah 22:16?
Shebna's vanity—carving an elaborate tomb—offends against God's priority and true authority.