Hebrew Explorer logo
Hebrew Explorer
The tool for deep Hebrew research into the biblical Scriptures

Silwan Necropolis and the Tomb of the Royal Steward

Rock-cut tombs of Jerusalem's elite, including the tomb Isaiah condemned Shebna for carving

Judah, Babylon & Exile · ossuary / tomb, inscription · Debated · found 1870

Damaged limestone lintel with worn paleo-Hebrew letters
Photo: ekeidar · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

Found 1870 — Charles Clermont-Ganneau found the Royal Steward inscription in 1870 (purchased by the British Museum in 1871); Nahman Avigad deciphered it in 1953; the necropolis was surveyed by David Ussishkin from 1968

Where Silwan (Kfar HaShiloach), east of the City of David, Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) (Israel)

Dates from c. 750–586 BCE · Iron Age IIB–C · From Chizkiyahu (Hezekiah) to the exile

Now at Tombs in situ under the village of Silwan; the Royal Steward inscription is in the British Museum, London (1871,1107.1 / WA 125205)

How Silwan Necropolis and the Tomb of the Royal Steward was found

Clermont-Ganneau found two badly damaged Hebrew inscriptions on the facade of a tomb in the village of Silwan and had them removed to the British Museum. Nahman Avigad deciphered the main text in 1953. Ussishkin later documented about fifty tombs.

What it is

Some fifty monumental tombs cut into the cliff facing the City of David, some with gabled ceilings, some free-standing cubes like the so-called 'Tomb of Pharaoh's Daughter'. The Royal Steward inscription reads: 'This is [the tomb of ...]yahu who is over the house. There is no silver or gold here, only [his bones] and the bones of his maidservant with him. Cursed be the man who opens this.'

Why it matters for the Bible

Isaiah 22:15–16 rebukes Shebna, 'who is over the house', for hewing himself a tomb 'on the height' in the rock. The inscription belongs to a steward with the same title, from the same generation, whose name ended in -yahu — Shebna's full name was likely Shebanyahu. Most scholars think this is his tomb, or at least one exactly like it. The necropolis as a whole shows the wealth of Jerusalem's officials on the eve of the Assyrian crisis.

Debated: The inscription is genuine; the identification of the tomb owner as Shebna is probable but the name is broken.

The Hebrew word: KEH-ver

קֶבֶר

קֶבֶר is pronounced KEH-ver and means tomb, grave (Strong's H6913).

People this discovery connects to

Places

Events

Isaiah's oracle against Shebna

Silwan Necropolis and the Tomb of the Royal Steward in Scripture

2 Kings 18:18 Shebna the scribe and Eliakim over the house face the Assyrian envoys. (First mention of Shebna.)

Isaiah 22:15-16 Shebna, 'over the house', hews himself a lofty rock-cut tomb — the title and setting of this inscription.

Isaiah 22:19-21 Shebna will be replaced by Eliakim, the next holder of the same office.

Questions people ask

What is Silwan Necropolis and the Tomb of the Royal Steward?
Some fifty monumental tombs cut into the cliff facing the City of David, some with gabled ceilings, some free-standing cubes like the so-called 'Tomb of Pharaoh's Daughter'. The Royal Steward inscription reads: 'This is [the tomb of ...]yahu who is over the house. There is no silver or gold here, only [his bones] and the bones of his maidservant with him. Cursed be the man who opens this.'

When was Silwan Necropolis and the Tomb of the Royal Steward discovered?
It was found in 1870 by Charles Clermont-Ganneau found the Royal Steward inscription in 1870 (purchased by the British Museum in 1871); Nahman Avigad deciphered it in 1953; the necropolis was surveyed by David Ussishkin from 1968, at Silwan (Kfar HaShiloach), east of the City of David, Yerushalayim (Jerusalem).

Where is Silwan Necropolis and the Tomb of the Royal Steward today?
Tombs in situ under the village of Silwan; the Royal Steward inscription is in the British Museum, London (1871,1107.1 / WA 125205).

Which Bible verses does Silwan Necropolis and the Tomb of the Royal Steward relate to?
2 Kings 18:18, Isaiah 22:15-16, Isaiah 22:19-21.

Is Silwan Necropolis and the Tomb of the Royal Steward authentic?
The inscription is genuine; the identification of the tomb owner as Shebna is probable but the name is broken.

Related discoveries

Sources

Open Silwan Necropolis and the Tomb of the Royal Steward in Hebrew Explorer →

Part of Biblical Archaeology — 533 discoveries that run alongside the biblical story · Judah, Babylon & Exile

Open Hebrew Explorer — 30+ free study tools →