Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebna the secretary, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder, came to Hezekiah: Hezekiah’s three officials returned to him. For the details concerning these men, see the comments on Isa 36.3. Good News Translation omits these details here since they were given earlier in the story. Other languages may find this omission helpful.

They came with their clothes rent, which means they had torn their clothes. Tearing one’s clothes was a sign of mourning or deep sorrow. This custom still existed in New Testament times (see, for example, Mark 14.63). The threatening words from the Assyrian ambassador caused them grief and they showed this by deliberately tearing their clothes. Good News Translation adds “in grief” to explain why they tore their clothes. Other languages may find this addition helpful. Translators could also add a footnote explaining the reason for their grief, which was the threatening speech of the Assyrian ambassador.

And told him the words of the Rabshakeh: Hezekiah’s officials reported to him what the Assyrian ambassador had said.

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• Then Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the royal palace, Shebna, the royal secretary, and Joah, the son of Asaph, who was the royal spokesman, came to King Hezekiah and told him everything that the ambassador had said. They had torn their clothes in [order to show] their grief.

• Then Eliakim who was in charge of the royal palace and who was the son of Hilkiah, Shebna the royal secretary, and Joah who was the royal spokesman and who was the son of Asaph, came to report to King Hezekiah what the Rabshakeh had said. Because of their grief they had torn their clothes.

• Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah tore their clothes in grief and went back to King Hezekiah and reported to him all that the Assyrian ambassador had said.

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 .