Like Shebna, Eliakim will lose his position. As a result, all his relatives will suffer.

In that day refers to the time when Eliakim’s relatives will become a burden to him. See the comments on verse 20.

Says the LORD of hosts: See the comments on 1.9 and 11.

The peg that was fastened in a sure place will give way: The peg refers to Eliakim, as in verse 23 (see the comments there). The Hebrew verb rendered will give way means “will be removed” (Revised English Bible) or “will pull loose” (Good News Translation). The first meaning is more likely.

And it will be cut down and fall: In Revised Standard Version the two verbs here further explain how the peg (that is, Eliakim) will be removed. However, it is also possible that these two verbs refer to the fate of the burden in the next clause (see the discussion below). For those languages requiring active verbs here, Yahweh, who is speaking, may be identified as the agent by rendering this clause as “I will cut it down and cause it to fall.” Good News Translation uses only the verb “fall” here.

And the burden that was upon it will be cut off: In Revised Standard Version this is the result of the peg dropping: all that hung on it goes down as well. In the Hebrew text the noun phrase the burden that was upon it is the subject of the verbs cut down, fall, and cut off. This is the interpretation adopted in the examples below. The Hebrew verb rendered cut off can refer to the destruction of things (see Gen 9.11), so it may be rendered “destroyed” here.

For the LORD has spoken closes this prophecy in a traditional way. It emphasizes that it will take place since Yahweh has spoken it.

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• At that time,” says Yahweh of hosts, “the peg that was securely fastened in its place will be removed; the weight that was on it will be cut down, fall, and be destroyed.” This is what Yahweh has said.

• Then,” says Yahweh of hosts, “the peg that was so securely set in place will be taken down; the burden it supported will be cut down, fall, and be destroyed.” Thus Yahweh has spoken.

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 .