And there came out to him …: Three officials representing the king of Judah came to meet the Assyrian ambassador.

The first official is Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household. He was the senior official in charge of palace affairs, a position he held following the prophet’s words in 22.20 (see the comments there). For who was over the household, see 22.15. It may be rendered “who was prime minister.” The second official is Shebna the secretary, who is mentioned in 22.15. As secretary, he was responsible for keeping the royal records. The third official is Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder. The office of recorder is not well known, so Joah’s actual function is unclear. He may have passed on the king’s orders to others as a herald. Bible en français courant calls him “spokesperson for the king.” Asaph was Joah’s father.

Possible models for this verse are:

• Then Eliakim, son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the [or, Hezekiah’s] palace, Shebna the royal secretary, and Joah, son of Asaph, who was the royal spokesman, all came out to meet the ambassador.

• The following officials [of Judah] came out to meet with the ambassador: Eliakim the administrator over the palace, whose father was Hilkiah; Shebna the royal secretary; and Joah the royal herald, whose father was Asaph.

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 .