Meshillemoth was the father of Berechiah, one of the leaders in the tribe of Ephraim who supported the prophet Oded's call to return the Judean captives that Israel had taken in war. He is mentioned in 2 Chronicles as an influential figure among the heads of Ephraim during the reign of King Pekah.
During the time of King Pekah of Israel and King Ahaz of Judah, Israel waged war against Judah and took many captives. The prophet Oded spoke out against making their brothers into slaves.
5So the LORD his God handed him over to the king of Aram, who defeated him, took a great many of his people captive, and brought them to Damascus. He was also handed over to the king of Israel, who struck him a heavy blow.
6In a single day Pekah son of Remaliah killed a hundred and twenty thousand men in Judah, all of them seasoned soldiers, because they had abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers.
7Zichri, a warrior of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king's son, Azrikam the officer in charge of the palace, and Elkanah, second in command to the king.
8The Israelites took two hundred thousand of their own kindred captive—women, sons, and daughters. They also carried off a great deal of plunder and brought it to Samaria.
9But a prophet of the LORD named Oded was there. He went out to meet the army as it came to Samaria and said to them: "Look, because the LORD, the God of your fathers, was angry with Judah, he handed them over to you. But you have slaughtered them in a rage that reaches to heaven.
10And now you intend to subjugate the people of Judah and Jerusalem as your slaves, male and female. But are you not yourselves guilty of sins against the LORD your God?
Meshillemoth's son Berechiah and other leaders in Ephraim rose up against the warriors and demanded that the captives be released, in line with the prophet Oded's words.
12Then some of the leaders of Ephraim—Azariah son of Jehohanan, Berechiah son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah son of Shallum, and Amasa son of Hadlai—confronted those who were returning from the war.
13"Do not bring the captives here," they said, "or we will be guilty before the LORD. Do you intend to add to our sins and our guilt? Our guilt is already great, and his fierce anger rests on Israel."
The named leaders, including Berechiah son of Meshillemoth, made sure that the captives were clothed, given food and drink, and sent back to Jericho in Judah.
15Then the men designated by name took charge of the captives. From the plunder they clothed all who were naked; they gave them clothes and sandals, fed them and gave them drink, and anointed their wounds. They put all the weak ones on donkeys and brought them to their kindred at Jericho, the City of Palms. Then they returned to Samaria.