Elnathan, son of Akbor, was a prominent official at the court of King Jehoiakim in Judah. He is known for his role in bringing the prophet Uriah back from Egypt to be executed, but also for his attempt to persuade King Jehoiakim not to burn the scroll of the prophet Jeremiah. He represents the tension between political loyalty and respect for God's word.
Elnathan was sent by King Jehoiakim to Egypt to bring back the prophet Uriah, who had fled there after prophesying against Jerusalem. Uriah was brought back and executed by the king.
23They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who struck him down with the sword and threw his corpse among the graves of the common people.
12he went down to the king's palace, to the chamber of the scribe, where all the officials were sitting: Elishama the scribe, Delaiah son of Shemaiah, Elnathan son of Achbor, Gemariah son of Shaphan, Zedekiah son of Hananiah, and all the other officials.
When King Jehoiakim began cutting up and burning Jeremiah's scroll, Elnatan pleaded with the king along with other officials not to burn the scroll, but the king refused to listen.
Elnatan was the father of Nehushta, who became the mother of King Jehoiachin of Judah. Through this marriage, Elnatan was connected to the royal dynasty of Judah.
8Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother's name was Nehushta daughter of Elnathan, from Jerusalem.
Elnatan is mentioned as the son of Akbor, a well-known official who also served under King Josiah, testifying to his family's prominent position in Judah's political life.
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.