Thus says the Lord GOD of hosts: See the comments on 3.15.

Come, go to this steward, to Shebna, who is over the household, and say to him: Yahweh orders the prophet to address Shebna. Come, go is literally “Go, come.” These two verbs are opposites in many languages, but in Hebrew they can be used together to stress the urgency of going. Translators do not need to render them literally, but should focus on idea of going immediately. One possible rendering is “Move right away!”

To this steward, to Shebna draws special attention to Shebna by first mentioning his function and then his name. The demonstrative adjective this can be rendered “that” since Shebna was probably some distance away. It may be used here to show contempt. The Hebrew word rendered steward refers to a person who serves someone. The phrase who is over the household specifies Shebna’s actual service. In the context it is clear that the household refers to royal household, so Shebna was responsible for the day-to-day affairs of the king’s palace. Steward may be rendered “official,” “administrator,” or even “servant” if the term has no demeaning overtones. An alternative model for who is over the household is “who is responsible for [or, charged with] taking care of everything in the king’s palace/house.”

Translation examples for this verse are:

• This is what my Master, Yahweh of hosts, said [to me]: “Hurry to that Shebna the steward who is in charge of the palace household and tell him:….

• Yahweh of hosts, my Master, said [to me]: “Go quickly and speak to that Shebna the officer in charge of the royal household and tell him:….

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .