Reference: Gedaliah
American
Son of Ahikam, appointed by Nebuchadnezzar to govern Judea after the destruction of Jerusalem. Like his father, he honored and befriended Jeremiah, Jer 40:5. He began the administration of his government at Mizpeh with wisdom, but in two months was treacherously murdered by one Ishmael, 2Ki 25:22-26; Jer 39:14; 40:5-41:18.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And over the people that remained in the land of Judah, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon left, he set Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan. And when all the captains of the men of war and the men heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, there came to Gedaliah to Mizphah: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite and Jaazaniah the son of Maachathi and their men. read more. And Gedaliah sware to them and to their men, and said to them, "Fear not ye the servants of the Chaldeans. But dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon and ye shall be in good condition." But it chanced the seventh month after, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama of the king's blood came, and ten men with him and smote Gedaliah that he died: and so did he to the Jews and the Chaldeans that were with him at Mizphah. Thereupon all the people both small and great and the captains of the men of war arose and went to Egypt: for they were afraid of the Chaldeans.
and caused him be let out of the fore entry of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan: that he should carry him home, and so he dwelt among the people.
If thou canst not be content to dwell alone, then remain with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan: whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people, or remain wheresoever it pleaseth thee." So the chief Captain of the guard gave him his expenses with a reward, and let him go.
If thou canst not be content to dwell alone, then remain with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan: whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people, or remain wheresoever it pleaseth thee." So the chief Captain of the guard gave him his expenses with a reward, and let him go. Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizphah, and dwelt there with him among the people that were left in the land. read more. Now when the captains of the Host of Judah, which with their fellows were scattered abroad on every side in the land, understood that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and that man, wife and child, yea and the poor men in the land that were not led captive to Babylon should be under his Jurisdiction: They came to Gedaliah unto Mizphah: Namely, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathah the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of Maachathi, with their companions. And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, swore unto them and their fellows on this manner, "Be not afraid to serve the Chaldeans; dwell in the land, and do the king of Babylon service, so shall ye prosper. Behold, I dwell at Mizphah to be an officer on the Chaldeans' behalf, and to satisfy such as come to us. Therefore gather you wine, corn and oil, and keep them in your warehouses, and dwell in your cities that ye have in keeping." Yea all the Jews also that dwelt in Moab, under the Ammonites, in Idumaea and in all the countries, when they heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan governor upon them that were left in Judah: All the Jews, I say, returned out of all places where they were fled unto: and came in to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah unto Mizphah, and gathered wine and other fruits, and that very much. Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah and all the captains of the Host, that were scattered on every side in the land, came to Gedaliah to Mizphah, and said unto him, "Knowest thou not that Baalis king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, to slay thee?" But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not. Then said Johanan the son of Kareah unto Gedaliah in Mizphah these words, secretly, "Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, so that nobody shall know it. Wherefore will he kill thee? That all the Jews which resort unto thee, might be scattered, and the remnant in Judah perish?" Then said Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Johanan the son of Kareah, "Thou shalt not do it, for they are but lies, that men say of Ishmael."
Easton
made great by Jehovah. (1.) the son of Jeduthum (1Ch 25:3,9). (2.) The grandfather of the prophet Zephaniah, and the father of Cushi (Zep 1:1). (3.) One of the Jewish nobles who conspired against Jeremiah (Jer 38:1). (4.) The son of Ahikam, and grandson of Shaphan, secretary of king Josiah (Jer 26:24). After the destruction of Jerusalem (see Zedekiah), Nebuchadnezzar left him to govern the country as tributary to him (2Ki 25:22; Jer 40:5; 52:16). Ishmael, however, at the head of a party of the royal family, "Jewish irreconcilables", rose against him, and slew him and "all the Jews that were with him" (Jer 41:2-3) at Mizpah about three months after the destruction of Jerusalem. He and his band also plundered the town of Mizpah, and carried off many captives. He was, however, overtaken by Johanan and routed. He fled with such of his followers as escaped to the Ammonites (Jer 41:15). The little remnant of the Jews now fled to Egypt.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And over the people that remained in the land of Judah, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon left, he set Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan.
The sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Hashabiah and Mattithiah-Shimei, six, at the hands of their fathers Jeduthun, with harps: which Jeduthun prophesied for to thank and praise the LORD.
And the first lot of Asaph fell to Joseph. The second to Gedaliah with his brethren and sons, twelve persons.
But Ahikam the son of Shaphan helped Jeremiah, that he came not into the hands of the people to be slain.
Shephatiah the son of Mattan, Gedaliah the son of Pashhur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur the son of Malchiah, perceived the words, that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, namely on this manner:
If thou canst not be content to dwell alone, then remain with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan: whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people, or remain wheresoever it pleaseth thee." So the chief Captain of the guard gave him his expenses with a reward, and let him go.
And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, with those ten men that were sworn to him, start up, and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword; and slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor of the land. Ishmael also slew all the Jews that were with Gedaliah at Mizphah, and all the Chaldeans that he found there waiting upon him.
But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah fled from Johanan with eight of his sworn companions, and went to the Ammonites.
But the poor people of the country did Nebuzaradan the chief Captain leave in the land, to occupy the vineyards and fields.
This is the word of the LORD, which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah the son of Hezekiah: in the time of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah.
Fausets
1. Son of Ahikam, who saved Jeremiah from death (Jer 26:24); grandson of Shaphan, Josiah's secretary, whom the king sent to inquire concerning the book of Jehovah' s law recently found (2Ki 22:12,14). Gedaliah thus inherited from father and grandfather a legacy of the fear of God. Left by Nebuchadnezzar, after the destruction of the temple (588 B.C.), to govern the cities of Judah and the farmers and vinedressers, who were allowed to remain in the land (Jer 39:10,14; 40:5-6,11; 52:16). He was stationed at the stronghold Mizpah, six miles N. of Jerusalem, with a Chaldean guard (Jeremiah 41).
Jeremiah, when given his choice by Nebuzaradan where he should dwell, attached himself to Gedaliah, who was joined also by a promiscuous multitude of "men, women, and children, and of the poor of the land"; also by Ishmael of the blood royal, Johanan and Jonathan, Seraiah, the sons of Ephai, Jezaniah, and their men; also by the Jews who had been driven to Moab, Ammon, and Edom, but who now with reassured confidence began to gather, as formerly, "wine and summer fruits." This indicates his deserved popularity, while his words imply his loyalty to the supreme monarch to whom God by express prophecy had assigned the world kingdoms, and at the same time his gentleness as a ruler. "Fear not to be servants of the Chaldees; dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you."
Even reverence for the temple, though in ruins, revived under him; and men from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria came with their offerings and badges of mourning for the destruction of the Lord's house and the holy city (Jer 41:5). Johanan warned Gedaliah that Baalis (called from the idol Baal) king of Ammon had sent Ishmael to assassinate him and his retinue. With unsuspecting generosity Gedaliah refused to credit it. So Ishmael, in violation of the sacred rights of hospitality and taking advantage of the opportunity, while eating Gedaliah's "bread" at Mizpah, smote him two months after his appointment (compare Ps 41:9). Jealousy of Gedaliah's presidency was Ishmael's motive; his royal descent leading him to regard himself as the rightful ruler. Ammon, Israel's ancient foe, gladly used such a tool.
A mystery of providence that God should permit the righteous, in spite of warning, to rush in unsuspecting honesty of purpose into the trap laid for them; Isa 57:1 suggests a solution. An enemy's presence appears in such anomalies. Faith, in spite of them, believes God is ordering all things for the ultimate good of His people, and at the judgment will vindicate His ways and clear up all that is now dark. All suffering nature and disorganized society as well as believers yearn for the advent of Him who shall reign in righteousness (Isaiah 11; Eze 21:27). His death is commemorated in the Jewish calendar as a national calamity; and many Jews under Johanan, fearing Babylon's vengeance, fled to Egypt, forcing Jeremiah with them (Jer 41:18).
3. Ezr 10:18.
4. Zep 1:1.
5. Son of Pashur; one of the princes who caused Jeremiah's imprisonment (Jer 38:1, etc.).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
and commanded Hilkiah the priest and Ahikam the son of Shaphan and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's, saying,
And Hilkiah the high priest and Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went unto Huldah the Prophetess, wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah the son of Harahas keeper of the robes - which Prophetess dwelt in Jerusalem in the second ward - and communed with her.
The sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Hashabiah and Mattithiah-Shimei, six, at the hands of their fathers Jeduthun, with harps: which Jeduthun prophesied for to thank and praise the LORD.
And the first lot of Asaph fell to Joseph. The second to Gedaliah with his brethren and sons, twelve persons.
And among the children of the priests there were men found that had taken strange wives, namely among the children of Jeshua the son of Jozadak and of his brethren, Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah.
Yea, even mine own familiar friend, whom I trusted, who did also eat my bread, hath lift up his heel against me.
But in the mean season the righteous perisheth, and no man regardeth it in his heart. Good godly people are taken away, and no man considereth it. Namely, that the righteous is conveyed away through the wicked,
But Ahikam the son of Shaphan helped Jeremiah, that he came not into the hands of the people to be slain.
Shephatiah the son of Mattan, Gedaliah the son of Pashhur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur the son of Malchiah, perceived the words, that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, namely on this manner:
But Nebuzaradan the chief captain let the rascal people, and those that had nothing, dwell still in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and corn fields at the same time.
and caused him be let out of the fore entry of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan: that he should carry him home, and so he dwelt among the people.
If thou canst not be content to dwell alone, then remain with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan: whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people, or remain wheresoever it pleaseth thee." So the chief Captain of the guard gave him his expenses with a reward, and let him go. Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizphah, and dwelt there with him among the people that were left in the land.
Yea all the Jews also that dwelt in Moab, under the Ammonites, in Idumaea and in all the countries, when they heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan governor upon them that were left in Judah:
there came certain men from Shechem, from Shiloh and Samaria, to the number of eighty, which had shaven their beards, rent their clothes, and were all heavy, bringing meat offerings, and incense in their hands, to offer it in the house of the LORD.
of whom they were afraid, because that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah Ahikam's son, whom the king of Babylon had made governor in the land.
But the poor people of the country did Nebuzaradan the chief Captain leave in the land, to occupy the vineyards and fields.
Punish, punish, yea, punish them will I, and destroy them. And that shall not be fulfilled till he come, to whom the judgment belongeth, and to whom I have given it.
This is the word of the LORD, which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah the son of Hezekiah: in the time of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah.
Hastings
1. Son of Ahikam, who had protected Jeremiah from the anti-Chald
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And over the people that remained in the land of Judah, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon left, he set Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan. And when all the captains of the men of war and the men heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, there came to Gedaliah to Mizphah: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite and Jaazaniah the son of Maachathi and their men. read more. And Gedaliah sware to them and to their men, and said to them, "Fear not ye the servants of the Chaldeans. But dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon and ye shall be in good condition." But it chanced the seventh month after, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama of the king's blood came, and ten men with him and smote Gedaliah that he died: and so did he to the Jews and the Chaldeans that were with him at Mizphah.
The sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Hashabiah and Mattithiah-Shimei, six, at the hands of their fathers Jeduthun, with harps: which Jeduthun prophesied for to thank and praise the LORD.
And the first lot of Asaph fell to Joseph. The second to Gedaliah with his brethren and sons, twelve persons.
And among the children of the priests there were men found that had taken strange wives, namely among the children of Jeshua the son of Jozadak and of his brethren, Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah.
But Ahikam the son of Shaphan helped Jeremiah, that he came not into the hands of the people to be slain.
Shephatiah the son of Mattan, Gedaliah the son of Pashhur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur the son of Malchiah, perceived the words, that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, namely on this manner:
This is the word of the LORD, which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah the son of Hezekiah: in the time of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah.
"Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, and say, 'When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, now this seventy years, did ye fast unto me?
"Thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts: The fast of the fourth month, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be joy and gladness, and prosperous high feasts unto the house of Judah: Only, love the truth and peace.
Morish
Gedali'ah
1. Son of Ahikam: he was made governor over those left in the land, with a Chaldean guard, by Nebuchadnezzar. He was joined by Jeremiah, and apparently ruled well; but he was treacherously murdered by Ishmael of Judah, who, according to Josephus (Ant. 10:9, 3), was a member of the royal family. Gedaliah was duly warned, but had too good an opinion of the man. 2Ki 25:22-25; Jer 39:14; 40:5-16; 41; 43:6.
2. Levite, son of Jeduthun. 1Ch 25:3,9.
3. Priest who had married a strange wife. Ezr 10:18.
4. Grandfather of Zephaniah the prophet. Zep 1:1.
5. Son of Pashur and one of the princes who caused Jeremiah to be cast into a dungeon. Jer 38:1.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And over the people that remained in the land of Judah, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon left, he set Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan. And when all the captains of the men of war and the men heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, there came to Gedaliah to Mizphah: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite and Jaazaniah the son of Maachathi and their men. read more. And Gedaliah sware to them and to their men, and said to them, "Fear not ye the servants of the Chaldeans. But dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon and ye shall be in good condition." But it chanced the seventh month after, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama of the king's blood came, and ten men with him and smote Gedaliah that he died: and so did he to the Jews and the Chaldeans that were with him at Mizphah.
The sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Hashabiah and Mattithiah-Shimei, six, at the hands of their fathers Jeduthun, with harps: which Jeduthun prophesied for to thank and praise the LORD.
And the first lot of Asaph fell to Joseph. The second to Gedaliah with his brethren and sons, twelve persons.
And among the children of the priests there were men found that had taken strange wives, namely among the children of Jeshua the son of Jozadak and of his brethren, Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah.
Shephatiah the son of Mattan, Gedaliah the son of Pashhur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur the son of Malchiah, perceived the words, that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, namely on this manner:
and caused him be let out of the fore entry of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan: that he should carry him home, and so he dwelt among the people.
If thou canst not be content to dwell alone, then remain with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan: whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people, or remain wheresoever it pleaseth thee." So the chief Captain of the guard gave him his expenses with a reward, and let him go. Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizphah, and dwelt there with him among the people that were left in the land. read more. Now when the captains of the Host of Judah, which with their fellows were scattered abroad on every side in the land, understood that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and that man, wife and child, yea and the poor men in the land that were not led captive to Babylon should be under his Jurisdiction: They came to Gedaliah unto Mizphah: Namely, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathah the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of Maachathi, with their companions. And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, swore unto them and their fellows on this manner, "Be not afraid to serve the Chaldeans; dwell in the land, and do the king of Babylon service, so shall ye prosper. Behold, I dwell at Mizphah to be an officer on the Chaldeans' behalf, and to satisfy such as come to us. Therefore gather you wine, corn and oil, and keep them in your warehouses, and dwell in your cities that ye have in keeping." Yea all the Jews also that dwelt in Moab, under the Ammonites, in Idumaea and in all the countries, when they heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan governor upon them that were left in Judah: All the Jews, I say, returned out of all places where they were fled unto: and came in to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah unto Mizphah, and gathered wine and other fruits, and that very much. Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah and all the captains of the Host, that were scattered on every side in the land, came to Gedaliah to Mizphah, and said unto him, "Knowest thou not that Baalis king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, to slay thee?" But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not. Then said Johanan the son of Kareah unto Gedaliah in Mizphah these words, secretly, "Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, so that nobody shall know it. Wherefore will he kill thee? That all the Jews which resort unto thee, might be scattered, and the remnant in Judah perish?" Then said Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Johanan the son of Kareah, "Thou shalt not do it, for they are but lies, that men say of Ishmael."
Men, women, children, the king's daughters; all those that Nebuzaradan the chief captain had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam; They carried away also the prophet Jeremiah, Baruch the son of Neriah,
This is the word of the LORD, which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah the son of Hezekiah: in the time of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah.
Smith
Gedali'ah
(God is my greatness), son of Ahikam (Jeremiah's protector,
and grandson of Shaphan the secretary of King Josiah. After the destruction of the temple, B.C. 588, Nebuchadnezzar departed from Judea, leaving Gedaliah with a Chaldean guard,
at Mizpah to govern the vinedressers and husbandmen,
who were exempted from captivity. Jeremiah jointed Gedaliah; and Mizpah became the resort of Jews from various quarters.
He was murdered by Ishmael two months after his appointment.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
But Ahikam the son of Shaphan helped Jeremiah, that he came not into the hands of the people to be slain.
If thou canst not be content to dwell alone, then remain with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan: whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people, or remain wheresoever it pleaseth thee." So the chief Captain of the guard gave him his expenses with a reward, and let him go. Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizphah, and dwelt there with him among the people that were left in the land.
Yea all the Jews also that dwelt in Moab, under the Ammonites, in Idumaea and in all the countries, when they heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan governor upon them that were left in Judah:
But the poor people of the country did Nebuzaradan the chief Captain leave in the land, to occupy the vineyards and fields.