Ahikam אֲחִיקָם
Son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah from death
Who is Ahikam in the Bible?
Ahikam was the son of Shaphan the scribe and a prominent official in the kingdom of Judah during the reigns of King Josiah and King Jehoiakim. He first appears in scripture when King Josiah sends him along with other officials to consult the prophetess Huldah about the book of the Law discovered in the temple (2 Kings 22:12-14). During the reign of Jehoiakim, Ahikam used his political influence to protect the prophet Jeremiah from death when the officials and people sought to execute him for his prophecies (Jeremiah 26:24). After Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians, Ahikam's son Gedaliah was appointed governor over Judah by the Babylonian commander, and Jeremiah was placed under Gedaliah's protection (2 Kings 25:22; Jeremiah 39:14, 40:5-6). Ahikam's significance lies in his faithfulness to God's prophet during a time of national crisis and his family's role in preserving a remnant of Judah after the exile.
Biography
Ahikam was the son of Shaphan the scribe and an important official during the reigns of King Josiah and King Jehoiakim of Judah. He first appears in the biblical narrative when Josiah sends him, along with other officials, to consult the prophetess Huldah regarding the book of the Law discovered in the temple. (2Ki.22.12-14; 2Ch.34.20)
Later, during the reign of Jehoiakim, Ahikam uses his influence to protect the prophet Jeremiah from being put to death when Jeremiah's prophecies anger the officials and the people. (Jer.26.24).
After the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians, the Babylonian captain of the guard appoints Gedaliah, Ahikam's son, as governor over the cities of Judah. (2Ki.25.22) Jeremiah is released from captivity and entrusted to Gedaliah's care. (Jer.39.14; 40.5-6)
Gedaliah establishes his headquarters at Mizpah and encourages the remaining people in Judah to serve the Babylonians. (Jer.40.7-12) However, Ishmael, a member of the royal family, murders Gedaliah and those with him, causing the people to flee to Egypt out of fear of Babylonian reprisal. (Jer.41.1-18) Ahikam's role in protecting Jeremiah and his son's appointment as governor highlight the family's importance during this turbulent period in Judah's history.
Family
Siblings
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 1 with study content2 Kings 3 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."
- 2 Kings 25:22
"Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, over the people he had left behind in the land of Judah."
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:"
Jeremiah 5 verses
- Jeremiah 26:24
"Nevertheless, Ahikam son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 39:14
"had Jeremiah brought from the courtyard of the guard, and they turned him over to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, to take him home. So Jeremiah remained among his own people."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 40:5
"But before Jeremiah turned to go, Nebuzaradan added, “Return to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed over the cities of Judah, and stay with him among the people, or go anywhere else that seems right.” Then the captain of the guard..."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 40:6
"So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah and stayed with him among the people who were left in the land."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 40:7
"When all the commanders and men of the armies in the field heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam over the land and that he had put him in charge of the men, women, and children who were the poorest of the land and had not been exiled to Babylon,"
Study Jeremiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֲחִיקָם | ʾăḥiyqām | Achikam , an Israelite |
Ahikam
Ref="Bible:2Kgs.25.22">25:22; 2Ch 34:20; Jer 26:24; 39:14; 40:5 ff; 41:1 ff; 43:6). He was the son of Shaphan, who very likely is to be identified with Shaphan the scribe, who was at that time so prominent. Ahikam was the father of Gedaliah, whom, on the capture of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar made governor of the land. Ahikam was a member of the deputation sent by Josiah to the prophetess Huldah to consult her concerning the contents of the Book of the Law which had been found. Under Jehoiakim he had sufficient influence to protect Jeremiah from being put to death. On the capture of Jerusalem Nebuchadnezzar committed Jeremiah into the care of Gedaliah. It is clear that both Shaphan and his son, like Jeremiah, belonged to the party which held that the men of Judah were under obligation to keep the oath which they had sworn to the tang of Babylon.
Willis J. Beecher
a-hi'-lud ('achiludh, "child's brother," perhaps): The father of Jehoshaphat, who is mentioned as "recorder" in both the earlier and the later lists under David, and in the list under Solomon (<ref osisRef="Bible:2Sam.