Achbor עַכְבּוֹר
Official during the reign of King Josiah
Who is Achbor in the Bible?
Achbor was an official in the kingdom of Judah during the reign of King Josiah (640-609 BC) and served as the father of Elnathan. He played a significant role in the discovery of the Book of the Law during the eighteenth year of Josiah's reign, when he was sent by the king along with other officials to inquire of the Lord's will through the prophetess Huldah (2 Kings 22:12-14). Huldah confirmed the authenticity of the discovered book and warned of God's coming judgment on Judah for their disobedience. Achbor's importance in biblical history lies in his participation in Josiah's religious reforms and his connection to the pivotal moment when the Book of the Law was restored to prominence in Judah's spiritual life.
Biography
Achbor, also referred to as Abdon, was an official who served during the reign of King Josiah of Judah (640-609 BC). He was the son of Micaiah and the father of Elnathan (2Ki.22.12; Jer.36.12).
During the eighteenth year of Josiah's reign, when the Book of the Law was discovered in the temple, Achbor was one of the officials sent by the king to inquire of the Lord concerning the words of the book (2Ki.22.12-14; 2Ch.34.20). Along with other officials, Achbor went to the prophetess Huldah, who delivered a message from God confirming the authenticity of the book and the impending judgment on Judah for their disobedience (2Ki.22.15-20; 2Ch.34.22-28).
Achbor's son Elnathan is mentioned as one of the officials who urged King Jehoiakim not to burn the scroll containing the prophecies of Jeremiah (Jer.36.12,25). Elnathan was also involved in bringing the prophet Uriah back from Egypt to face Jehoiakim's judgment (Jer.26.22).
Achbor's involvement in the discovery of the Book of the Law and his consultation with the prophetess Huldah highlight his role in the religious reforms initiated by King Josiah, which sought to restore proper worship and obedience to God's commandments in Judah.
Family
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 1 with study content2 Kings 2 verses
- 2 Kings 22:12
"and commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king:"
- 2 Kings 22:14
"So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went and spoke to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District."
Jeremiah 2 verses
- Jeremiah 26:22
"Then King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt: Elnathan son of Achbor along with some other men."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 36:12
"he went down to the scribe’s chamber in the king’s palace, 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."
Study Jeremiah →
2 Chronicles 1 verse
- 2 Chronicles 34:20
"and commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king:"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | עַכְבּוֹר |
| Named | Hebrew | עַבְדּוֹן |
Achbor
(2) The son of Micaiah (called in Chronicles Abdon the son of Micah) who went with Hilkiah the priest and other high officials, at the command of King Josiah, to consult Huldah the prophetess concerning the book that had been found (2Ki 22:12,14; 2Ch 34:20).
It may be presumed that this Achbor is also the man mentioned in Jer 26:22; 36:12, as the father of Elnathan, who went to Egypt for King Jehoiakim in order to procure the extradition of Uriah the prophet, and who protested against the burning of Baruch's roll.
Willis J. Beecher
a-ki-ak'-a-rus (Codex Vaticanus Achiacharos; Acheicharos): Governor of Assyria. Achiacharus is the son of Anael, a brother of Tobit (Tobit 1:21). Sarchedonus (Esarhaddon), the king of Assyria, appointed him over a