Ahikam
Official under King Josiah and protector of the prophet Jeremiah
Ahikam, son of the scribe Shaphan, was a prominent official in the late kingdom of Judah. He belonged to the influential Shaphan family, which supported King Josiah's religious reforms and had close ties to the prophet Jeremiah. When the Book of the Law was found in the temple, Ahikam was among those the king sent to consult the prophetess Huldah about its contents and implications. He is especially known for intervening to protect the prophet Jeremiah from those who sought his life after the bold sermon at the temple—an act that proved decisive in enabling Jeremiah to continue his prophetic ministry. Ahikam's son Gedaliah was appointed by Nebuchadnezzar as governor over Judah following Jerusalem's fall in 586 B.C., testifying to the family's enduring political standing through one of the most dramatic periods in Judah's history.
Family
Key events
Sent to the prophetess Huldah
After the Book of the Law was found in the temple during King Josiah's reign, Ahikam was sent as part of an official delegation to consult the prophetess Huldah about the book's content and its meaning for the people's future.
12He gave this command to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king's servant:
וַיְצַ֣ו הַמֶּ֡לֶךְ אֶת־חִלְקִיָּ֣ה הַכֹּהֵ֡ן וְאֶת־אֲחִיקָ֣ם בֶּן־שָׁ֠פָן וְאֶת־עַכְבּ֨וֹר בֶּן־מִיכָיָ֜ה וְאֵ֣ת ׀ שָׁפָ֣ן הַסֹּפֵ֗ר וְאֵ֛ת עֲשָׂיָ֥ה עֶֽבֶד־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ לֵאמֹֽר׃
13"Go and inquire of the LORD for me, for the people, and for all Judah about the words of this book that has been found. Great is the wrath of the LORD that burns against us, because our fathers did not obey the words of this book by doing all that is written concerning us."
לְכוּ֩ דִרְשׁ֨וּ אֶת־יְהוָ֜ה בַּעֲדִ֣י וּבְעַד־הָעָ֗ם וּבְעַד֙ כָּל־יְהוּדָ֔ה עַל־דִּבְרֵ֛י הַסֵּ֥פֶר הַנִּמְצָ֖א הַזֶּ֑ה כִּֽי־גְדוֹלָ֞ה חֲמַ֣ת יְהוָ֗ה אֲשֶׁר־הִיא֙ נִצְּתָ֣ה בָ֔נוּ עַל֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־שָׁמְע֜וּ אֲבֹתֵ֗ינוּ עַל־דִּבְרֵי֙ הַסֵּ֣פֶר הַזֶּ֔ה לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת כְּכָל־הַכָּת֥וּב עָלֵֽינוּ׃
14So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District, and they spoke with her.
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ חִלְקִיָּ֣הוּ הַ֠כֹּהֵן וַאֲחִיקָ֨ם וְעַכְבּ֜וֹר וְשָׁפָ֣ן וַעֲשָׂיָ֗ה אֶל־חֻלְדָּ֨ה הַנְּבִיאָ֜ה אֵ֣שֶׁת ׀ שַׁלֻּ֣ם בֶּן־תִּקְוָ֗ה בֶּן־חַרְחַס֙ שֹׁמֵ֣ר הַבְּגָדִ֔ים וְהִ֛יא יֹשֶׁ֥בֶת בִּירוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם בַּמִּשְׁנֶ֑ה וַֽיְדַבְּר֖וּ אֵלֶֽיהָ׃
Jeremiah's Temple Sermon and the Threat to His Life
Jeremiah prophesied that the temple would become like Shiloh if the people did not repent. This bold sermon led priests, prophets, and the people to seize Jeremiah and demand his death.
1At the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the LORD:
בְּרֵאשִׁ֗ית מַמְלְכ֛וּת יְהוֹיָקִ֥ים בֶּן־יֹאשִׁיָּ֖הוּ מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה הָיָה֙ הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֔ה מֵאֵ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה לֵאמֹֽר׃
2This is what the LORD says: Stand in the court of the LORD's house and speak to all who come from the cities of Judah to worship in the house of the LORD. Tell them everything I command you; do not hold back a single word.
כֹּ֣ה ׀ אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֗ה עֲמֹד֮ בַּחֲצַ֣ר בֵּית־יְהוָה֒ וְדִבַּרְתָּ֞ עַל־כָּל־עָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֗ה הַבָּאִים֙ לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֣ת בֵּית־יְהוָ֔ה אֵ֚ת כָּל־הַדְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּיתִ֖יךָ לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵיהֶ֑ם אַל־תִּגְרַ֖ע דָּבָֽר׃
3Perhaps they will listen and each one turn from his evil way. Then I will relent of the disaster I intend to bring on them because of the evil of their deeds.
אוּלַ֣י יִשְׁמְע֔וּ וְיָשֻׁ֕בוּ אִ֖ישׁ מִדַּרְכּ֣וֹ הָרָעָ֑ה וְנִחַמְתִּ֣י אֶל־הָרָעָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֤י חֹשֵׁב֙ לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת לָהֶ֔ם מִפְּנֵ֖י רֹ֥עַ מַעַלְלֵיהֶֽם׃
4Say to them: This is what the LORD says: If you will not listen to me and walk in my law, which I have set before you,
וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם כֹּ֖ה אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה אִם־לֹ֤א תִשְׁמְעוּ֙ אֵלַ֔י לָלֶ֙כֶת֙ בְּת֣וֹרָתִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תִּי לִפְנֵיכֶֽם׃
5and heed the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again, though you have not listened,
לִשְׁמֹ֗עַ עַל־דִּבְרֵי֙[t] עֲבָדַ֣י הַנְּבִאִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָנֹכִ֖י שֹׁלֵ֣חַ אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם וְהַשְׁכֵּ֥ם וְשָׁלֹ֖חַ וְלֹ֥א שְׁמַעְתֶּֽם׃
6then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse among all the nations of the earth.
וְנָתַתִּ֛י אֶת־הַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּ֖ה כְּשִׁלֹ֑ה וְאֶת־הָעִ֤יר *הזאתה **הַזֹּאת֙ אֶתֵּ֣ן לִקְלָלָ֔ה לְכֹ֖ל גּוֹיֵ֥י הָאָֽרֶץ׃ ס
7The priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD.
וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֛וּ הַכֹּהֲנִ֥ים וְהַנְּבִאִ֖ים וְכָל־הָעָ֑ם אֶֽת־יִרְמְיָ֔הוּ מְדַבֵּ֛ר אֶת־הַדְּבָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה בְּבֵ֥ית יְהוָֽה׃
8And when Jeremiah had finished saying everything the LORD had commanded him to say to all the people, the priests, the prophets, and all the people seized him and said, "You must die!
וַיְהִ֣י ׀ כְּכַלּ֣וֹת יִרְמְיָ֗הוּ לְדַבֵּר֙ אֵ֣ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה יְהוָ֔ה לְדַבֵּ֖ר אֶל־כָּל־הָעָ֑ם וַיִּתְפְּשׂ֨וּ אֹת֜וֹ הַכֹּהֲנִ֧ים וְהַנְּבִאִ֛ים וְכָל־הָעָ֥ם לֵאמֹ֖ר מ֥וֹת תָּמֽוּת׃
9Why have you prophesied in the name of the LORD that this house will become like Shiloh and this city will be desolate, without an inhabitant?" And all the people gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.
מַדּוּעַ֩ נִבֵ֨יתָ בְשֵׁם־יְהוָ֜ה לֵאמֹ֗ר כְּשִׁלוֹ֙ יִֽהְיֶה֙ הַבַּ֣יִת הַזֶּ֔ה וְהָעִ֥יר הַזֹּ֛את תֶּחֱרַ֖ב מֵאֵ֣ין יוֹשֵׁ֑ב וַיִּקָּהֵ֧ל כָּל־הָעָ֛ם אֶֽל־יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ בְּבֵ֥ית יְהוָֽה׃
Protection of Jeremiah
When Jeremiah's life was threatened after the temple sermon, Ahikam son of Shaphan intervened and prevented Jeremiah from being handed over to the people to be killed. His intervention was crucial for Jeremiah to continue his prophetic work.
24But Ahikam son of Shaphan gave Jeremiah his support, so that he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.
אַ֗ךְ יַ֚ד אֲחִיקָ֣ם בֶּן־שָׁפָ֔ן הָיְתָ֖ה אֶֽת־יִרְמְיָ֑הוּ לְבִלְתִּ֛י תֵּת־אֹת֥וֹ בְיַד־הָעָ֖ם לַהֲמִיתֽוֹ׃ פ
Gedaliah, the Son, Appointed Governor
After the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam as governor over those remaining in Judah. Jeremiah was entrusted to Gedaliah's care, indicating that the family still played a protective role toward the prophet.
22Over the people who remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left behind, he appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan.
וְהָעָ֗ם הַנִּשְׁאָר֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ יְהוּדָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִשְׁאִ֔יר נְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֖ר מֶ֣לֶךְ בָּבֶ֑ל וַיַּפְקֵ֣ד עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם אֶת־גְּדַלְיָ֖הוּ בֶּן־אֲחִיקָ֥ם בֶּן־שָׁפָֽן׃ פ
14and they had Jeremiah brought from the courtyard of the guard and handed him over to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, to take him home. So he lived among the people.
וַיִּשְׁלְחוּ֩ וַיִּקְח֨וּ אֶֽת־יִרְמְיָ֜הוּ מֵחֲצַ֣ר הַמַּטָּרָ֗ה וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ אֹתוֹ֙ אֶל־גְּדַלְיָ֙הוּ֙ בֶּן־אֲחִיקָ֣ם בֶּן־שָׁפָ֔ן לְהוֹצִאֵ֖הוּ אֶל־הַבָּ֑יִת וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב בְּת֥וֹךְ הָעָֽם׃ ס
5If you choose to remain, then go back to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed over the cities of Judah, and live with him among the people; or go anywhere else you please." Then the captain of the guard gave him provisions and a gift and let him go.
וְעוֹדֶ֣נּוּ לֹֽא־יָשׁ֗וּב וְשֻׁ֡בָה אֶל־גְּדַלְיָ֣ה בֶן־אֲחִיקָ֣ם בֶּן־שָׁפָ֡ן אֲשֶׁר֩ הִפְקִ֨יד מֶֽלֶךְ־בָּבֶ֜ל בְּעָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֗ה וְשֵׁ֤ב אִתּוֹ֙ בְּת֣וֹךְ הָעָ֔ם א֠וֹ אֶל־כָּל־הַיָּשָׁ֧ר בְּעֵינֶ֛יךָ לָלֶ֖כֶת לֵ֑ךְ וַיִּתֶּן־ל֧וֹ רַב־טַבָּחִ֛ים אֲרֻחָ֥ה וּמַשְׂאֵ֖ת וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵֽהוּ׃
6So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah and stayed with him among the people who were left in the land.
וַיָּבֹ֧א יִרְמְיָ֛הוּ אֶל־גְּדַלְיָ֥ה בֶן־אֲחִיקָ֖ם הַמִּצְפָּ֑תָה וַיֵּ֤שֶׁב אִתּוֹ֙ בְּת֣וֹךְ הָעָ֔ם הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֖ים בָּאָֽרֶץ׃ ס
7When all the commanders of the forces who were out in the open country, along with their men, heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam over the land, and had put under his charge the men, women, and children, those of the poorest of the land who had not been deported to Babylon—
וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ֩ כָל־שָׂרֵ֨י הַחֲיָלִ֜ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּשָּׂדֶ֗ה הֵ֚מָּה וְאַנְשֵׁיהֶ֔ם כִּֽי־הִפְקִ֧יד מֶֽלֶךְ־בָּבֶ֛ל אֶת־גְּדַלְיָ֥הוּ בֶן־אֲחִיקָ֖ם בָּאָ֑רֶץ וְכִ֣י ׀ הִפְקִ֣יד אִתּ֗וֹ אֲנָשִׁ֤ים וְנָשִׁים֙ וָטָ֔ף וּמִדַּלַּ֣ת הָאָ֔רֶץ מֵאֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־הָגְל֖וּ בָּבֶֽלָה׃
The Murder of Gedaliah
Gedaliah son of Ahikam was murdered by Ishmael son of Nethaniah. The assassination marked the end of the last Jewish self-rule in Judah and led the remaining people to flee to Egypt against Jeremiah's advice.
1In the seventh month Ishmael son of Nethaniah, son of Elishama, who was of royal descent and one of the king's chief officers, came with ten men to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah. While they were eating together there at Mizpah,
וַיְהִ֣י ׀ בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י בָּ֣א יִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל בֶּן־נְתַנְיָ֣ה בֶן־אֱלִישָׁמָ֣ע מִזֶּ֣רַע הַ֠מְּלוּכָה וְרַבֵּ֨י הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ וַעֲשָׂרָ֨ה אֲנָשִׁ֥ים אִתּ֛וֹ אֶל־גְּדַלְיָ֥הוּ בֶן־אֲחִיקָ֖ם הַמִּצְפָּ֑תָה וַיֹּ֨אכְלוּ שָׁ֥ם לֶ֛חֶם יַחְדָּ֖ו בַּמִּצְפָּֽה׃
2Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men with him rose up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, with the sword, killing the man whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land.
וַיָּקָם֩ יִשְׁמָעֵ֨אל בֶּן־נְתַנְיָ֜ה וַעֲשֶׂ֥רֶת הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים ׀ אֲשֶׁר־הָי֣וּ אִתּ֗וֹ וַ֠יַּכּוּ אֶת־גְּדַלְיָ֨הוּ בֶן־אֲחִיקָ֧ם בֶּן־שָׁפָ֛ן בַּחֶ֖רֶב וַיָּ֣מֶת אֹת֑וֹ אֲשֶׁר־הִפְקִ֥יד מֶֽלֶךְ־בָּבֶ֖ל בָּאָֽרֶץ׃
3Ishmael also killed all the Judeans who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans who were found there, the fighting men.
וְאֵ֣ת כָּל־הַיְּהוּדִ֗ים אֲשֶׁר־הָי֨וּ אִתּ֤וֹ אֶת־גְּדַלְיָ֙הוּ֙ בַּמִּצְפָּ֔ה וְאֶת־הַכַּשְׂדִּ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִמְצְאוּ־שָׁ֑ם אֵ֚ת אַנְשֵׁ֣י הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה הִכָּ֖ה יִשְׁמָעֵֽאל׃
25But in the seventh month Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, who was of royal blood, came with ten men and struck Gedaliah down, killing him along with the Judeans and the Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah.
וַיְהִ֣י ׀ בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י בָּ֣א יִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל בֶּן־נְ֠תַנְיָה בֶּן־אֱלִ֨ישָׁמָ֜ע מִזֶּ֣רַע הַמְּלוּכָ֗ה וַעֲשָׂרָ֤ה אֲנָשִׁים֙ אִתּ֔וֹ וַיַּכּ֥וּ אֶת־גְּדַלְיָ֖הוּ וַיָּמֹ֑ת וְאֶת־הַיְּהוּדִים֙ וְאֶת־הַכַּשְׂדִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־הָי֥וּ אִתּ֖וֹ בַּמִּצְפָּֽה׃