THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Somnan served as the overseer of treasures, but it remains uncertain if they were of a sacred or royal nature. His primary responsibility appeared to be ensuring the gathering of sacred treasures and, when necessary, making the obligatory expenditures required for the restoration of sacred vessels. It is said that he hailed from the tribe of Levi and possessed the privileges associated with bishopric. He exhibited an attitude of arrogance and pride, was cruel to those who offended him, clung to selfishness, was a captive of dishonorable gains, sought self-exaltation, and constantly pursued worldly accolades. In truth, he was despised by God.
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Thus, when Judea stood on the brink of ruin and Jerusalem was nearly captured, with the Babylonians victorious and taking Israel into captivity, Somnan chose to erect a grand monument for himself and built an ostentatious structure above it. Consequently, a direct message from God came to him. The Lord spoke to the prophet, instructing him to approach the tabernacle—the sacred space within the temple—and to address Somnan, the builder of the house, asking, "Why are you here? What do you possess in this place?" Essentially questioning his inheritance there and his reasons for remaining. Why had he fashioned a monument for his own glory, inscribing the tabernacle on stone? What fate awaited him? What adversity would he face? The Lord of hosts declared that He would remove and annihilate the husbandman, for, as previously mentioned, the powerful and uniquely favored individuals would be taken captive alongside the common folk.
And since Somnan himself was also captured, stripped of the dignity of his bishopric, and deemed a mere vessel cast away into the vast earth, he would perish without remorse. No longer would he ascend in splendid chariots; instead, he would be utterly overthrown and entirely stripped of his governance and the sacred office entrusted to him in the service of God.