Thus saith the Lord God of hosts: Go, get thee in to him that dwelleth in the tabernacle, to Sobna who is over the temple: and thou shalt say to him:
כֹּ֥ה אָמַ֛ר אֲדֹנָ֥י יְהוִ֖ה צְבָא֑וֹת לֶךְ־בֹּא֙ אֶל־הַסֹּכֵ֣ן הַזֶּ֔ה עַל־שֶׁבְנָ֖א אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַל־הַבָּֽיִת׃
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The foretelling directed at Somnan, who is referred to as the ‘builder of the house,’ concerning his demise. The ‘builders of the house,’ which refers to those who managed the property within the temple, were among the priestly class.
Somnan served as the caretaker of the treasures, though it remains uncertain whether they were sacred in nature or of royal significance. His primary responsibility appeared to be managing the collection of sacred items and overseeing the necessary expenditures for their repair when required. He is believed to have hailed from the tribe of Levi, enjoying the privileges associated with the episcopacy. Yet, he was marked by arrogance and pride, exhibiting cruelty toward those who slighted him, indulgence in selfish pursuits, and a relentless desire for human acclaim. In truth, he was despised by God.
During the time when Judea faced significant desolation, with Jerusalem nearly captured and the Babylonians victorious, leading Israel into captivity, Somnan chose to erect a magnificent monument for himself, crowning it with an extravagant structure. Consequently, God delivered a sharp message to him. The Lord instructed the prophet to approach the tabernacle, a sacred space within the temple, and speak to Somnan, the architect of the house, asking, "Why are you here? What do you possess in this place?" Essentially questioning what legacy he believed he had or why he lingered there. He was challenged about the monument he carved in his honor and the inscription he etched upon it. God asked what future awaited him, what dangers he faced, or what disasters were imminent. The Lord of hosts would cast out the laborer, for the mighty and privileged were carried away alongside the common folk. As he found himself led into captivity, stripped of his bishopric's crown, he would be discarded like a worthless vessel, lost to the vast earth, dying without lament. Unlike before, he would not ascend in grand chariots but would see his authority and office in the service of God utterly overturned and removed from him.
Approach the hedge where Somnan, the master builder, resides and inquire of him, ‘What brings you here? Make room for one who surpasses your merit.’ You will yield, for you shall face captivity and servitude. You have established a sepulcher in this place and constructed an elevated tomb, inscribing for yourself a dwelling upon the rock. You are fashioning a burial site here, believing that just as you have enjoyed glory in life, so shall you attain distinction in death; however, it is a reality that your understanding misleads you.
Previously, we noted that Sobnah served as the high priest who betrayed the city to the Assyrians. However, as this account stems from Jewish tradition and is not explicitly detailed in Scripture, we should view him as exhibiting pride, arrogance, a love for glory, and a contempt for the people. Due to his actions, as depicted by the prophet, his priestly role was transferred to Eliakim, the son of Helkiah, establishing a new high priest following his removal. This situation highlights the necessity of eliminating pride, which offends the Lord and poses a danger even within the high priest's office.
This Sobnah, as some believe, is paired with Eliakim, of whom the same prophet stated: "And the king of Assyria sent Rabsak from Lachish to Jerusalem with a great army; and he stopped at the water-pipe of the upper pond, in the way of the whitewashing-field. And Eliakim the son of Helkiin, the ruler of the palace, and Sobnah the scribe, and Joach the son of Asaph, the scribe, came out to him" (Isaiah 36:2-3).
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS